The new Lorier x Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer is the New York City-based publication’s latest limited-edition collaboration. This partnership hits close to home, as famous micro-brand Laurier also hails from the Big Apple. They’ve created some seriously cool watches at affordable prices that should sell faster than Soho’s latest clothing drop.
I’m a big fan of Worn & Wound. This is one of Watch Media’s founding titles, and I love that the site features small, independent brands. The people there have put their love for these microbrands into practice in the form of many collaborative releases. I still remember falling off a titanium part from Boldr on vacation a few years ago and kicking myself for not buying it. The watch was great and very reasonably priced. Today’s new Lorier x Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer, with a fresh new design and affordable price, is one of the coolest watches I’ve ever seen. Selling watches isn’t as easy as it was a few years ago, but this piece should sell quickly.
Laurie x Scarred Astra Stargazer
Let’s start with the basic specs, since you’ll be spending most of your time on the dial, which is the star of the show (just kidding). The Astra Stargazer is a 36 mm x 44 mm stainless steel watch with a 100 meter depth rating and screw-down crown. The thickness including the domed acrylic crystal is only 11mm. The collaboration features Lorier’s Astra case, one of the brand’s most popular products. The sole strap is 20mm in gray suede with a stainless steel pin buckle.
Dial inspired by the space age
We received PR information for Astra Stargazer from Worn & Wound. In it, he mentions space, the space age, and the mysteries of the stars as inspiration for this watch. If you don’t look at your watch, you’ll think of something funky and digital, but the actual results are much more consistent. The dial looks like a planet. However, the use of luminescent materials combined with its mechanics and design is amazing.
Image: Analog: Shift
Before we move on, I’d like to highlight a vintage watch that immediately came to mind when I saw the Astra Stargazer. The Landeron-powered Wittnauer Electro-Chron of the early ’60s was a wild piece that remains popular with collectors today. Sadly, like most non-mechanical movements of this era, it is prone to breakage. But wow, that’s cool! Thankfully, the good folks at Worn & Wound provided us with a spherical center hand and mechanical powerplant.
wildly cool dial
Astra Stargazer blends elements of grey, seafoam green and white. A gray outer track with a fine white hash surrounds a raised bright ring. And in the center of the dial is a rotating gray disc with 12 sectors and luminous hour arrows. If these details aren’t unusual enough, the remaining two “hands” are very different. The minute hand is a large circle with a bright triangle pointing to the minute track. The central three-spoke seconds hand has luminescent material at the end of each spoke. Two glow blue and one glows green in dark environments.
This watch is stunning in the light, but it comes alive in the dark. C3 and C9 Super-LumiNova create a sharp contrast in blue and green tones. Ultimately, this makes the clock easier to read and more visually interesting.
Robust automatic movement
Underneath the engraved screw-down caseback, the Astra Stargazer uses the familiar Miyota 90S5 automatic movement. This 24-jewel caliber has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 42 hours. Hacking has also been done to align the unique second hand.
Gentle on your eyes and wrists
The Lorier x Worn & Wound Astra Stargazer is sure to last a long time due to its attractive dimensions. Some may wish for a larger footprint, but I’m happy with a watch that feels similar to a vintage Datejust. Of course, the design of the dial is also a completely different concept. Still, this watch has a blend of polished and matte details that should pair well with a variety of straps, whether dressed up or down.
Price and availability
The new Astra Stargazer is available for purchase directly from Worn & Wound’s Windup Shop site for $499. Production of 200 units is possible and shipping is expected to take place in December 2024. The Lorier has a good reputation among fans, so the build quality should be on point. Combine that aspect with a truly unique design and this is a winner. Plus, it makes a great holiday gift. Be careful not to sleep on your purchasing decisions like I did a few years ago.
