The New Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition
Seven months have passed since Oak & Oscar released its Atwood hand-wound chronograph. However, it seems that founder Chase Fancher and the team were already plotting the next model, the Humboldt GMT SAR Edition. To be fair, this is a limited offering designed with a search and rescue team in mind. However, it deserves attention due to its new case material and story.
The guys at Oak & Oscar are avid outdoorsmen and spend time at Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). This protected area consists of over 1,000,000 acres of woodlands, lakes, and streams used by visitors. A volunteer group, the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, provides invaluable assistance to those in need within the sprawling BWCA. Oak & Oscar, as a member of the Boundary Waters Business Coalition, created a watch for this search and rescue team. Now a limited number of Humboldt GMT SAR Edition watches are available to the public.
The Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition
The Humboldt GMT debuted in 2022 as a stainless steel model with the choice of a black, white, or navy-blue dial. The new GMT SAR Edition adds a new twist to the familiar design by using brushed Grade 5 titanium for the case. Titanium brings lightness, which is helpful in the field. Plus, the material is comfortable against the skin in different temperatures. This is particularly helpful in Minnesota, where the mercury ranges between frigid and scorching.
Another change in the new SAR Edition is the implementation of a compass bezel. As modern watch wearers with smartphones and other electronic gadgets, do we truly need such functionality? It turns out that a St. Louis County Rescue Squad requirement is learning how to use a watch-mounted compass bezel in case of an emergency. Here, the insert is ceramic with luminous markings in the four directions, and it sits within a 12-click bidirectional bearing-mounted bezel.
A dark blue sandwich dial
The GMT SAR Edition has a sandwich dial in navy blue with a white-on-black date display at the bottom. It also has an orange minute track and seconds hand. Thankfully, the branding is subtle, with the model name and “SAR” below the center.
The Sellita SW330
Oak & Oscar uses the automatic Sellita SW330 in the Humboldt GMT SAR Edition. It’s a reliable and well-known movement with 56 hours of power reserve. Unscrewing the crown allows the user to set the time, date, and 24-hour hand. Yes, for those who are picky, this is a caller GMT.
A comfortable and lightweight case
While we’ve not gone hands-on with the new GMT SAR Edition, we’ve tried the steel Humboldt and were impressed with how well it wore. The case dimensions work for almost all wrist sizes. Additionally, as we’ve mentioned before, the hand-assembled watches are wonderfully finished and feel as if they’re from a larger marque. Oak & Oscar makes a lovely steel bracelet, but this titanium model is available on an orange rubber strap with a titanium pin buckle. The drilled holes on the lugs make changing the strap out to the supplied tan nylon strap easy and fast. As always, the brand includes a canvas watch wallet and a strap-changing tool.
Final thoughts on the Humboldt GMT SAR Edition
The Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition is limited to 50 pieces and is priced at US$2,350. It is for sale via the company’s official website and is ready to ship immediately. It’s $175 more than the serial-production stainless model on a bracelet, so the titanium must add to the cost. I still think it’s a decent value, though, considering the high and increasing prices from so many other watch brands. Better yet, part of the proceeds will be donated to the St. Louis County Rescue Squad.
What do you think of the Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
