Brew Chrono Taxi: New York character for $495

Brew · Metric Chrono Taxi

The model in detail

Meet the watch

The Metric Chrono Taxi has a detail that holds your attention: a checkerboard stripe crosses the matte black dial and continues onto the chronograph hand. New York at six completes the taxi reference. Brew places familiar street graphics inside the angular Metric silhouette. The idea carries consistently from the dial to the caseback.

$495 buys a 316L steel case measuring 36 × 41.5 mm and 10.75 mm thick. A rectangular watch needs more than a diameter: width, length and bracelet shape all matter. This is a compact model. It may look deliberately small on a large wrist; printing Brew’s actual-size template is more useful than comparing it directly with a round 42 mm diver.

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Inside is the VK68 meca-quartz. Quartz regulates timekeeping while a mechanical module operates the stopwatch; both share a battery. Button feel and hand reset are consequently closer to a mechanical chronograph than a conventional quartz stopwatch. There is no automatic winding and no need to wear the watch to keep it running. Brew does not specify battery life for this particular model on its product page.

Details and limitations

The choice fits the price and purpose. A mechanical chronograph would require different construction and servicing; the VK68 lets the design and everyday convenience take priority. Collectors buying for an intricate calibre will not find manufacture mechanics here. The Chrono Taxi’s main attraction is its visual personality rather than the rarity of its movement.

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Sapphire crystal protects the dial. Brew lists luminous markers, although photographs cannot establish glow duration or nighttime legibility. The checkerboard and bright accents add energy; someone who prefers quiet dials may find the composition busy. The official film at the start of this review shows the watch in motion and gives a better impression of its finishing.

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The steel bracelet mixes brushed and polished surfaces, with quick-release attachments and a folding clasp offering micro-adjustment. These are useful for fit and bracelet changes. Micro-adjustment does not automatically mean tool-free adjustment, which Brew does not explicitly promise. Attachment width is listed as 19.85 mm, so check aftermarket strap compatibility beforehand.

The polished caseback repeats the checkerboard, with Brew’s coffee bean at its centre. It is closed, so the movement is not visible. Water resistance is 5 ATM, or 50 m. This is not a diving specification; avoid operating the chronograph underwater without express manufacturer permission. Ask Brew about restrictions before buying specifically for swimming.

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The edition comprises 1,000 pieces. The online release was scheduled for October 19, 2026 at 10 a.m. US Eastern Time, or 7 p.m. in Tashkent. At the time checked, the steel version could be added to the cart at $495; that does not guarantee stock when you pay. The price belongs to Brew’s US-dollar store and excludes shipping, possible import charges and bank conversion.

For Uzbekistan, first check whether checkout accepts your address and what final total it quotes. Brew lists international FedEx Express shipping with an estimated 4–6 days after dispatch; this is not a customs-inclusive delivery guarantee. A two-year limited warranty and a 14-day return window for unworn watches in original packaging are stated. Agree the international return procedure before paying.

The Chrono Taxi makes sense as an expressive city watch or an unusual addition to a mostly mechanical collection. Compact proportions, coherent graphics and a sub-$500 price are its strengths. A limited run adds interest but does not guarantee appreciation. If the taxi motif leaves you cold, the limited-edition label alone offers little reason to buy.