The New Oak & Oscar Olmsted 38 “No Date”
It’s been a while since we’ve covered a new release from Oak & Oscar, but today is the day to share something new. Granted, this is a rather subtle highlight, but it’s worth mentioning because it pertains to one of my favorite “field watches” from a small independent brand. The no-date Olmsted 38 comes to us via Chicago, and it’s a nice addition to the lineup.
We have to travel back to November 2019 before the world went upside down to when I last saw Chase Fancher, the founder of Oak & Oscar. He was actually in Frankfurt, so we met over some drinks, and it was there that I got to see the new Olmsted in person. The no-frills automatic was such a hit for me that I decided to buy one. The bracelet was and still is fantastic, and I really got on with the straightforward looks. Plus, Chase is a nice guy, and his team’s customer service and follow-up are somewhat legendary in microbrand circles. Today, after nearly four years, a no-date version of the Olmsted 38 joins the fray, and I think it’s a nice addition.
The Oak & Oscar Olmsted 38 “No Date”
If I’ve misled you by insinuating that Oak & Oscar hasn’t made subtle additions to the Olmsted line since 2019, then I apologize. In 2020, there was a limited run of black ceramic-coated models without a date function. Those are long gone, though. Also, in addition to the gray, navy, and white dials, a matte green version has become available. Until now, however, a no-date Olmsted 38 was not available in serial-production form. For those who like their dials as clean as possible, this latest update should serve as good news.
To be fair, I’ve always felt that Oak & Oscar handles the tricky application of a date window adeptly. Plus, the use of a “7” with a line through its body has become somewhat of a calling card. The brand goes the extra mile to ensure that the date wheel matches the color of the dial. Still, a date window is a date window, and some simply dislike them.
A small change and a slightly cleaner display
The result of creating the no-date Olmsted 38 means that we now have an actual “6” at six o’clock instead of a date and a luminous dot. Is it a cleaner look? Barely so, but watches are all about the details. Everything else is consistent with the date version, and that means that the sandwich dial is here as well. The barrel-ended seconds hand does its thing and quietly sweeps over a subtle barrel insignia on the dial. The sandwich-style numerals and hands all use Super-LumiNova BGW9.
Specs-wise, the 38mm stainless case with 100m water resistance also remains. The size is perfectly wearable with a 44.9mm lug-to-lug length and a 10.8mm thickness. Inside, the Olmsted 38 uses either an ETA 2892-A2 or Sellita SW300-1. It’s visible via a screw-in case back, where you’ll note that the rotor has been decorated. The screw-down crown should be nice to use because the date stop has been eliminated. Finally, if you choose to order the watch on a bracelet, it now comes with a quick-adjust clasp.
Final thoughts and pricing
The Oak & Oscar Olmsted 38 “No Date” is currently available via the brand’s website and is available in all four dial colors. As always, the watch comes with a really nice (and useful) zippered watch pouch, a nylon strap, and a strap-change tool. Aside from dial color, the only choice one has to make is whether to go with the bracelet (US$1,725) or the Horween leather strap (US$1,525). I’d select the bracelet because it’s fantastic and incredibly comfortable. Pricing, if you’re curious, is the same for the date and dateless models. With this update, Oak & Oscar has simply widened the appeal of an already-appealing watch. There’s not much to argue with here, and I expect that the brand will find even more fans.
For more information on the Olmsted 38 “No Date,” visit the official Oak & Oscar website.
