Just picked up a Garrick Portsmouth (pic heavy).
Discussion
Sitting in the box...
With some bits in a nice draw...
Simon, who made my watch, fitting my choice of strap...
He used a rejected balance wheel to show me how they are poised...
And here’s a much bigger version of that balance wheel with my own watch poised on it (nice souvenir)...
Obligatory wrist shot...
And on the other side...
Finally a macro shot (not of my watch) shows the level of finish on that balance bridge...
One very happy bunny right now. Probably my favourite watch this :-)
With some bits in a nice draw...
Simon, who made my watch, fitting my choice of strap...
He used a rejected balance wheel to show me how they are poised...
And here’s a much bigger version of that balance wheel with my own watch poised on it (nice souvenir)...
Obligatory wrist shot...
And on the other side...
Finally a macro shot (not of my watch) shows the level of finish on that balance bridge...
One very happy bunny right now. Probably my favourite watch this :-)
Mabbs9 said:
I know nothing about these but that's really lovely. I'll go and Google!
I just have Googled. Wowsers. That is absolutely stunning. Considering that what else could be had for similar money would look “mass produced” by comparison, it really is special. I particularly like those blued hands and the dial. I’m extremely unlikely to ever be able to afford something like that, so thanks to the OP for sharing.
Snubs said:
A terrific watch for sure. Out of curiosity, what made you buy the Garrick over the alternatives at that price point?
That’s a really good question. I spent a couple of months figuring out what to buy.For context, I already have a Rolex gmt, Jlc, Reverso, Jlc Memovox, Cartier pasha, Patek Worldtime and a Lange 1815 all bought about 15 years ago and all still enjoyed in rotation today. I lost interest in buying watches until last year when I began catching up with the whole business again.....
Although I still like many of the mainstream brands it does strike me after all this time that they have basically grown 10% in width and tripled in price but done very little else. Originality is to be found in brands like Zenith/Tag or in the increasingly exciting independent firms, not in the major brands unless at the very high price level. I have always been drawn to independents tbh but couldn’t afford them (though how I wish I had bought a Dufour simplicity for £17k back then) and little has changed in that respect. Today I would buy Strehler, Frodsham, Voutilainen, Gauthier or Gronefeld if I could justify the outlay but alas not.
So Garrick sits neatly between the watches I really desire but can’t afford and the watches I can afford but don’t really want. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks watch for me, though I appreciate maybe not to everyone’s taste. In its price range, I can’t think of an obvious alternative and the value for money is extraordinary imo largely because they are never sold at retail. Add to that, the folk who run the company and make the watches are just thoroughly decent sorts and it’s a story I am pleased to be a part of. Plus, what other chance will I ever get to have a watch with a serial number in the single digits :-)
Thanks for the Encouraging comments everyone.
Snubs said:
Can't deny that logic! I noticed the serial number; very satisfying i'm sure. Do you have any pictures of the A. Lange? An 1815 sits right at the top of the desirability list for me. But i'm not the greedy sort, just a nice basic 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar would do me fine 
Lovely dress watch the 1815. I’ll take a snap next time it is out on rotation (I use an external safe deposit). Mine’s the simplest three-hander in yellow gold, bought back in 2003, new, from an AD for the princely sum of £4200. Ahhh, watch buying were much easier when I wer’a lad.
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