“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear.
HSNY Announces 2026 Scholarships
The Horological Society of New York, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing horology through education, has announced its 2026 scholarship initiatives. Last year, HSNY awarded $160,000 in scholarships to 28 students across four watchmaking schools, and this year they are set to expand their scope, tripling their scholarship budget thanks to support from the Vogt Foundation. Applications for scholarships, for the first time, will be open globally, welcoming watchmakers and students from around the world. This year also sees an entirely new award, the Independent Watchmaker Grant, which specifically seeks to fund emerging independent watchmakers, encouraging traditional craftsmanship at the highest levels of horology. More information on this year’s scholarships, as well as applications, can be found at the HSNY website.
Ricoh Goes Monochrome
A new camera caught our eye this week (confession: this happens almost every week). Ricoh’s GR IV Monochrome is a new spin on the cult favorite pocket camera, asking users to commit to black and white imaging. Like other monochrome cameras, this one ditches the color filter array, allowing the GR IV Monochrome to produce cleaner files, better high-ISO performance, and a more intentional shooting experience. You can find a full review here at Peta Pixel. Writer Chris Niccolls found it to be compact, fast, beautifully tuned for street and travel photography, and unapologetically niche. The catch, as ever, is the price: at a steep premium over the standard GR IV, this is a camera for photographers who care deeply about the process, not just the output.
Alex Honnold Scales a Skyscraper, Live on Netflix
File this one under morbid curiosity. Netflix is about to attempt one of its boldest live broadcasts yet: Skyscraper Live, featuring Alex Honnold (of Free Solo fame) climbing Taipei 101, live, rope-free, and with zero margin for error. Streaming globally on Netflix, the event unfolds in real time, and should be quite nailbiting. Anyone who has seen Free Solo (and if you haven’t, you should) understands Honnold’s dedication to his extreme sport and the way he calculates risk. Seeing him do that live, in real time, in your living room, will be quite an experience. The Netflix special airs on January 23, and more information can be found here.
Can a Typeface Promote Safety? Volvo Says Yes
When was the last time you sat down in a car and thought about the typefaces used in the interior? Unless you’re a very particular type of nerd, the answer might be never. But we are very particular types of nerds, so this story from Volvo’s own blog got our attention. The Swedish carmaker, long known as innovators in the realm of safety, have developed a new typeface they’re calling Centum, which has been designed with clarity at a glance in mind, reducing visual noise and distractions while driving. Volvo drivers will see Centum across various screens in their vehicles, and will be available in more than 800 languages. It debuts in the upcoming Volvo EX60.
The post Watches, Stories, & Gear: Ricoh Goes Monochrome, Alex Honnold Scales a Skyscraper, and Volvo Introduces a New Typeface appeared first on Worn & Wound.
