I've owned a lot of iterations of Brew Watches, and each release has felt a little more refined than the last. The case is tighter, the finishing is cleaner, and the dials keep getting more creative. It's a design that already works, and Brew keeps finding new ways to make it better and more fun. That brings us to the latest, the Metric Chrono Taxi New York Edition, limited to 1,000 pieces and launching at Windup Watch Fair New York 2026.
The inspiration is the Checker cab, the boxy, checker-striped sedan that served New York for decades. Its design became so iconic that it barely needed updating; everyone recognized it from a block away. The Taxi borrows that famous livery and pairs it with everything that makes a Metric a Metric. Just like the Taxi cab, why change something that’s great? Brew Watches original Metric Retro Dial we reviewed even made our top 15 picks for 2026.
Then there's the medallion. In New York, the taxi medallion has historically been one of the hardest licenses in the city to get. Brew's version comes in the box, and it's a playful, Brew-branded take on the real thing. Good news, everyone: you can all drive a cab now.
The Taxi uses the familiar Metric cushion case in 316L stainless steel, measuring 36mm wide, 41.5mm lug to lug, and 10.75mm thick. On paper, that reads as small. On the wrist, it does not. Like every Metric I've worn, the Taxi wears larger than its numbers suggest, thanks to the broad, flat cushion shape and the way the integrated bracelet extends the case lines outward. If you have been hesitant about the 36mm figure, don't be; this wears with real presence.
The caseback is where Brew is known for having more fun as well. A high-polished checkerboard pattern frames the brand's signature coffee bean, a nice nod to the Checker livery that you only see when the watch comes off. Water resistance is a sensible 50 meters, which is all you need for a city watch.
This is the heart of the release, and the designs are awesome. A taxi-yellow outer track surrounds a matte dial, and a checkered stripe runs straight through the center, exactly where it would sit on the flank of a Checker cab. The checkered theme continues on the chronograph seconds hand, so every time you start the chrono, a little piece of the livery sweeps around the dial.
It is very New York without being a gimmick. The yellow is bright enough to read instantly, the matte background keeps it from feeling toy-like, and the recessed subdials give the layout the depth the Metric is known for. It is the sort of design that makes sense the moment you see it.
Inside is the Seiko VK68 mecaquartz chronograph, the same caliber that has powered most Metrics. For the uninitiated, a mecaquartz movement pairs quartz timekeeping with a mechanical chronograph module. The result is quartz accuracy and grab-and-go convenience, plus pushers with a genuine mechanical click and a satisfying snap-back reset. It is a smart choice at this price, and it remains a big part of why the Metric is such an easy recommendation.
The Taxi rides on Brew's integrated stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. The bracelet has a reputation, and some people still say it pulls arm hair. Honestly, it rarely happens to me, and I have pretty hairy wrists. It's comfortable for all-day wear, and if hair-pulling was the thing holding you back from a Metric, I'd give this another try. And if you’re still not convinced, Brew Watches sell fun rubber straps that fix that issue all together.
The Brew-branded taxi medallion that comes with the watch is a great addition. It's not an official license, of course, but a fun nod to the badge that every yellow cab once had to carry. It turns the box into a small piece of New York memorabilia, and it's the type of detail that shows Brew doesn't take itself too seriously.
The Brew Metric Chrono Taxi is everything the Metric does well, wrapped in a story that could only come from New York. It wears like every other Metric, which is to say larger than the specs suggest and comfortably, and the Checker-inspired details are executed with enough restraint to keep it wearable well past the novelty. Of all the Metrics I've owned, this is one of the most fun and confident designs the brand has put out.
If you're local, get to Windup. If you're not, keep an eye on Brew's site; if any pieces are left over after the fair and go online, pounce. The Brew Metric Chrono Taxi New York Edition is limited to 1,000 pieces and priced at $495. For more information, visit brew-watches.com.
Specifications:
Name: Brew Metric - Retro Dial
Reference Number: Metric Taxi Cab
MSRP: $495
Diameter: 36mm
Height: 41.5mm
Thickness: 10.75mm
Lug Width: 20mm / 19.7mm (Measured)
Weight: 130g
Movement: VK68 Meca-Quartz Chronograph (Seiko)
Water Resistance: 50m
Crystal: Sapphire
Crown: Push-pull
Bezel: Fixed
Bracelet: Stainless steel with twin-trigger deployant