The Garrick S4 – new release

The Garrick S4 is officially unveiled today. Its complex dial construction, attractively appointed movement and incredible value for money should pique the interest of many horophiles seeking something refreshingly different.

In recent weeks, Garrick, the British watch brand, has posted various images of its new forthcoming model, the S4. Some of the images show a gold-toned movement, others a silver-coloured hand-wound calibre. Likewise, some images show the central dial area as frosted, while in some instances it is adorned with guilloché. I confess I was somewhat confused as to what constituted the precise specification of the model. Ultimately, I felt there was no other option than to contact Garrick’s founder, David Brailsford.

I have known Brailsford for a number of years. His business approach to business is free of political spin and he clearly doesn’t subscribe to marketing hype. This son of Derby ‘tells it as it is’ with an extraordinary degree of openness. Within a short time of chatting over Zoom, it became obvious that the reason the S4 was presented in various forms was that Brailsford had not finalised its specification. Up to this point, he had only published images of prototypes. As our conversation continued, Brailsford explained that he wanted to showcase the brand’s in-house skills but on the other hand, he did not want to incur too much cost, fearful of making the watch too expensive for some of the firm’s loyal clients. As he pointed out, the Garrick S4 was intended to be the firm’s entry-level watch. Brailsford’s numerous conundrums sounded like a wonderful opportunity to write an interesting feature.

A few weeks ago, I published a behind the scenes look at the making of the S4 and talked of the numerous quandaries facing Brailsford. At the time, we agreed the brand would provide a sample of the production specification model for me to evaluate over a number of days.

Today, the British firm unveiled the Garrick S4, however, I have been unable to write my ‘hands-on’ style review. Garrick’s social media campaign has proved very successful with the company receiving orders from existing clients as well Instagram followers who have fallen for the S4’s charms. A contrite Brailsford explained that whilst he would be able to provide a sample, it may take a few weeks as Garrick had a number of orders to fulfil. While I was clearly disappointed, I was pleased to hear some good news at a time when the nation’s mood seems so incredibly downbeat.

As for the Garrick S4, I hope to wear the watch in a few weeks and plan to provide an in-depth account of my experience thereafter.

The brand’s press release (January 2021)

The Garrick S4 is the latest creation from the British firm. It encompasses much hand-craftsmanship, manifest with its elaborate dial and yet, despite its impressive in-house content and high-quotient of hand-craftsmanship, it remains surprisingly affordable.

For most people, mass-produced products are a default choice, purchased through necessity rather than unbridled desire. The ultimate expression of luxury is a ‘hand-crafted’ object made with time-served hands, free of concessions. Since its inception, Garrick has always tried to make many of its watch components in-house and by hand. Moreover, it has shunned cheap imports, even when this would reduce costs.

In recent years, Garrick has shown its in-house watchmaking expertise again and again, releasing several refined timepieces. Some of these models are equipped with the firm’s exclusive movements, feature skeleton or guilloché dials and all are enriched with high-end finishing.

However, the British firm recognises that many individuals yearn for a watch, infused with hand-craftsmanship, but offered at an affordable price. The Garrick S4, the company’s new entry-level watch, features a sumptuous dial that employs an elaborate and highly innovative construction technique.

Whereas the mass-produced approach is to stamp a dial blank from a ribbon of brass, Garrick uses a lathe to create a brass disc. Two feet are riveted to the underside of the dial blank which ultimately unite the dial with the movement.

The dial blank is ‘flattened’ using fine abrasive paper in order to remove any burrs or imperfections, creating a smooth surface. Thereafter, the dial is bead blasted. A chapter ring, effectively a circlet of metal, is paired with a smaller ring for the small seconds. These are then drilled, creating holes to facilitate fixing.

The chapter ring is clamped between two plates and baked at 300°C. This hardens the metal and removes any springiness. After the chapter ring has cooled, it is ‘spun’ on a lathe, creating a motif termed ‘satiné circulaire’. Furthermore, the hour track and minute track are delineated from one another with an engraved pattern called ‘sauté piqué.

Laser engraving is used to impart Roman numerals to the chapter ring. The resultant recesses are then inked by hand using a special syringe pen. Once the ink has dried, the chapter ring is cleaned and spun again to remove any excess ink.

Upholding fine watchmaking practise, the Maritime hour and minute hands are heat-blued and the collet sat atop these hands is hand-polished to a brilliant conclusion. The central area of the dial is frosted, while the small seconds display is suffused with an intricate hand-guilloché motif, executed on a traditional rose-engine lathe. Alternatively, the central dial area can be specified with a contrasting guilloché pattern.

The British-made case, measuring 42mm in diameter, is made from 904L stainless. This particular grade of steel provides superior scratch resistance to the ubiquitous 316L grade as well as exhibiting a notably brilliant gleam. Alternatively, the Garrick S4 can be specified with an 18-carat gold case.

At the heart of the Garrick S4 is a modified hand-wound ETA movement. It is rhodium-plated, features an engraved barrel and crown wheel cover. Inspired by old English pocket watches, the frosted movement is equipped with a three-quarter plate and also includes a screwed balance. After the movement is tested, it is regulated, delivering a daily variance of +3 seconds.

The watch is available with a choice of straps, including handmade alligator, calf leather or ostrich.

While most hand-crafted items are prohibitively expensive, the Garrick S4 proves the exception, costing from £4995 including VAT. The British brand has endeavoured to mitigate costs without compromising on quality, employing ingenious techniques without diminishing the kudos of Garrick’s costlier timepieces.

No mass production – every Garrick timepiece is built to order by watchmakers Craig Baird and Simon Michlmayr.