Introducing: The Garrick S3 MK2 — Open-Worked Complexities With A Personalizable Twist
Quintessential, exclusive watchmaking is more than Swiss. Garrick is a brand we’ve covered before and one that has carved its path. With the new S3 MK2, Garrick offers, along with other European brands like Grönefeld, a studied alternative to timepieces from the Alpine valleys.
With a range spanning three-handers like the S6 to the Regulator MK2 with its big, charming balance wheel, all Garrick models are exceptional. And by that, I mean that they embody a tempting combination of small output, hand assembly, and vast bespoke options.
Understanding Garrick
Garrick Watchmakers is based in a dedicated atelier in Norfolk, England (though the brand’s down-to-earth leader would probably rather call it a “workshop”). Over the years, founders Dave Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr have built up Garrick’s reputation as a maker of classicism with a colorful British twist. The emphasis is on traditional techniques like guilloché, including acquiring and restoring vintage machines to bring them back to life as members of Garrick’s production family. Two recently acquired rose engine lathes are now hard at work in the Norfolk workshop after a distant past turning dials for the late, great watchmaker Derek Pratt. Within Garrick’s production of around 50 watches per year, many components, including dials, hands, and movement parts, are all made in the very same location.
Second-generation complexities
Garrick’s halo model, the S3, originally launched in 2020 and now resides on select collectors’ wrists. The new S3 MK2 version features a redesigned and printed open-worked dial that frames the updated wheels, pinions, and bridges. Even a layperson can immediately appreciate the craftsmanship behind the micro-architecture and the flamboyance of it all. Small changes like wheels being grained rather than frosted or polished make for less obvious improvements. However, for a more learned buyer, these are noticeable details.
The full year it took to develop the S3 MK2 is understandable. It is one of the models sporting the signature big balance wheel at 6 o’clock, one of my favorite details. Affixing it is a prominent horizontal bridge with straight graining and black-polished bevels. The Trinity free-sprung balance is made of Sircumet, a Garrick-exclusive nonmagnetic alloy. This sets the standard pretty high, underlining a fascinating open layout. The printed “dial” consists of a crisp white chapter ring with a running seconds sub-dial at 10 and a smaller power reserve indicator at 2 o’clock. With prominent beveling and the in-your-face panache of the Trinity balance, the S3 MK2 makes a powerful statement, especially with the signature blued Garrick handset seen in the image below.
A world of choice
Setting any Garrick model apart are myriad personalization options, from a simple choice of hands to dial colors and more. Considering the low production output, you always get a unique watch. An S3 starts at a grail-like £27,495 in a 904L steel case. Rising to £33,495 for solid gold, the prices are justified. Plus, each S3 MK2 is made to order. An untold number of bespoke options are on the table too. That includes the finishing of the dial’s back plate and separate choices for the finishing of other components. Boasting the revised hand-wound UT-G04 caliber tested for +3 seconds of daily variance, the Garrick S3 MK2 offers immeasurable value.
We are talking about value measured differently. This is not subject to the rise and fall of secondary markets like Rolex or AP. But it is an investment in keeping a rich craft alive and the skill it takes to manufacture and finish a single balance bridge. This is something that CNC-machined components in a very good watch like a Rolex will never have. Indeed, it is a handcrafted soul. The Garrick S3 MK2 is available to order now from Garrick Watchmakers. Buyer will receive updates to follow the fascinating build process of their watches as well.
So, my dear Fratelli, would you invest €30K in a bespoke Garrick S3 MK2 if you had the budget? Let me know your thoughts and which personalized touches you’d have on your wish list in the comments below.
