Mercer Watch Company (MWC) is a great example of a microbrand done right. The company was started by Scott Vuocolo in central New Jersey. The company mission is clearly defined to produce quality time pieces at a fraction of what many of the big names charge for their watches without scrimping on design, components, materials, finish, attention to detail and quality control. Essentially, Mercer sells directly from their website.

Mercer is not new to MBWW, you may recall Nick’s interview with Scott last year. The Mercer name comes from the county the company is located in, named after Brigadier General Hugh Mercer of the Continental Army. A close confidant of George Washington, he died at the Battle of Princeton, just a few miles from MWC.

The current line of watches from MWC include the Airfoil, the Voyager II, the Brigadier and the Brigadier Chronograph. The Brigadier Chronograph is available in four versions; navy, rose, slate and white. The watch in this review is the rose, finished with a white face. The other models are all polished stainless steel with navy, slate and white faces. The 42mm 316L case is a very good homage to the new 43mm Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar, a 21 jewel manual winding timepiece of impeccable pedigree (price not disclosed). Both the VC and the Mercer are beautiful designs, in my opinion.