LÜM-TEC has announced the new Combat B74 GMT. This is the next iteration of the Combat B series, this time equipped with a true GMT function and housed in a more compact 39mm case.
The premiere is scheduled for September 2026, and the watch is already available for pre-order.
It's a shame Seiko didn't decide to go closer to 39mm. With this type of watch, a slightly smaller case could appeal to an even wider range of users.
I also feel that in recent years, Seiko has been losing some ground to Citizen. Citizen's releases have often seemed better thought out and more coherent, especially in the affordable sports watch segment.
This launch, however, shows that Seiko is beginning to respond and is once again finding its own direction. It's not yet the point where the two brands have aligned, but it may be the first sign that something is starting to change.
Maen is really good at refreshing their models. At Hudson, they didn't try to reinvent everything; they just improved what needed improving—and that's probably why this watch looks better now than before.
What's also cool is that despite the typical utility nature of a GMT diver, the whole thing still manages to be quite elegant. It doesn't look overly technical or heavy, making it suitable for wearing as more than just a sports watch.
American brand Farr and Swit has presented the Vice Diver – an automatic version of its most iconic model inspired by the style of the 1980s. The new version retains the neon color scheme known from the previous edition.
In terms of color, this is one of the more interesting versions of the Quattro – the mint details are fresh, clearly visible and actually refresh the rather austere design of the Unimatic.
The problem, however, arises with the price. The Unimatic is moving up increasingly noticeably, and in this case, it's hard not to notice. We're talking about an amount that's nearly three times the price of the base version of this model – and the changes, while sensible (titanium, color, details), aren't all that revolutionary.
At this level, real competition begins from brands offering more advanced finishes or proprietary technical solutions. Therefore, the question is no longer "is it a good watch?" but rather whether the price is still defensible.
It will be interesting to see how Unimatic handles this direction in the long term.