New York-based Wren has introduced the Vessel, an integrated-bracelet sports watch with an unusually elaborate sapphire crystal. Designed by Max Resnick under founder Craig Karger’s direction, its futuristic case and crystal mark Wren’s first departure from the dive watch format and help establish a broader identity for the brand.
Initial thoughts
The name Wren is a portmanteau of Wrist Enthusiast, the online watch publication founded by Mr Karger. The brand’s first watch, the Diver One, was introduced in 2024, and Wren has stuck to dive watches ever since. The Vessel, however, is anything but a diver.
By venturing far beyond its initial design language, Wren has carved out considerable space in which to develop its identity. In doing so, Wren has taken a page out of the Berneron playbook with a sophomore effort that is almost as different from its debut as it could be. Perhaps because the look is so different, the Vessel features an aqua blue seconds hand and winding rotor to match the dial colour of the original Diver One.
The Vessel’s design was penned by British designer Max Resnick under Mr Karger’s creative direction. Originally trained in automotive design, Mr Resnick has worked with several other small brands, including Anoma and VPC. The vision called for an integrated-bracelet sports watch that avoided channelling the same handful of historical designs from the 1970s. The resulting look has more in common with Alto than Audemars Piguet.
The angular design is largely successful, in part to its compact size. The use of colour to bridge the design gap to the Diver One is clever, since the concepts are so different. One thing about the Vessel would be the applied wordmark on the dial, which arguably cheapens the look. In its stead I would have preferred the brand’s logo, which takes after the bird of the same name, and is found only on the crown.
The prototype pictured indicates a 100-piece limitation, but production versions will be numbered out of 150 pieces
The Vessel retails for US$2,900, including a matching quick-release bracelet in 904L stainless steel. At launch, it is available with either a steel sunray or meteorite dial, the latter adding US$500 to the price. Each variant is limited to 150 pieces.
The vitrine-like Vessel
Like Christopher Ward, Wren has worked with suppliers in Asia to manufacture its case and crystal. The cushion-shaped case is made of 904L stainless steel and measures square 39 mm square, despite the rectangular impression created by its elongated crystal. This results in a short lug-to-lug distance and at 10.6 mm, it feels low-profile on the wrist.
While curved and faceted crystals are nothing new, the Vessel combines curved outer facets with matching facets on the underside. This arrangement helps eliminate most of the distortion that would otherwise occur at certain viewing angles.
According to Wren, the delicate geometry resulted in such a high failure rate that only five of the first 100 prototype crystals were usable. The brand eventually turned to a specialist supplier known for making full sapphire cases, which was able to produce the matching internal and external facets.
The practice of sourcing crystals from abroad is quite common in the Swiss watch industry, and helps make an elaborate crystal like that of the Vessel viable at its value-oriented price point. The effort has paid off. The faceted crystal looks impressive on the wrist and calls to mind the similarly faceted crystal of the TAG Heuer Monaco V4.
Despite the unusual construction, the case is rated to 70 m, comfortably sufficient for everyday wear. Water resistance was evidently a priority: an unconventional case and crystal make sealing more demanding, and it would have been easy to justify the customary 30 m rating.
The screws used to remove links sit on the underside of the bracelet, rather than entering from the sides as is conventional. This is intended to give the bracelet a more seamless appearance on the wrist, though traditional pins are cost-effective, reliable and generally unobtrusive.
Common calibre
Inside is the automatic Sellita cal. SW300-1 without a date display. The latest version offers a 56-hour power reserve while retaining a frequency of 4 Hz, adding convenience to an already slim, high-performance movement familiar to watchmakers the world over.
That said, much of the movement is concealed beneath a 360-degree rotor with asymmetrical weighting, an uncommon approach that gives the otherwise familiar movement a distinctive look. The aqua-coloured finish matches that of the seconds hand, carrying the debut colourway through to the case back.
Key facts and price
Wren Vessel
Diameter: 39 mm x 39 mm
Height: 10.6 mm
Material: Ceramic and titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 70 m
Movement: Sellita SW300-1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 56 hours
Strap: Matching steel bracelet with optional rubber strap
Limited edition: 150 pieces (additional 150 pieces with meteorite dial)
Availability: Direct from Wren
Price: US$2,900 (silver dial) or US$3,400 (meteorite dial), excluding taxes
For more, visit Wren Watches.