The S1 is the most elaborate watch to date from Garrick, an English watch brand located in Norfolk, about two hours north of London. Powered by a hand-wound movement conceived with the help of Swiss independent watchmaker Andreas Strehler, who is best known for building the H. Moser & Cie.’s perpetual calendar, the S1 has an open dial, revealing the calibre front and back.

On the front, the wheels, regulator and keyless works are visible. The under-dial mechanics have been dressed up for exhibition, including having three jewels in screwed chatons, a flourish typically reserved only for the back.

Time is indicated via the central hands, with the seconds on a sub-dial at 10 o’clock and the power reserve display at two. More prominent is the extra-large, free-sprung, adjustable mass balance wheel, albeit with a flat hairspring.

The balance is unusual not just for its size, but also the material used, Sircumet. Used for the first time in a watch movement, the copper-based alloy boasts several useful properties, including being resistant to distortion even at high temperatures. It is also “stainless”, able to retain a bright surface finish without galvanic plating.

While simpler, the back still shows a high degree of attention, including the unusually shaped click spring and several jewels in chatons.

While the case is made by Garrick, the movement is a joint effort, with components made both in Switzerland by Mr Strehler’s company UhrTeil, as well as in Garrick’s workshop. Assembly and most of the finishing is done by Garrick. According to Garrick, the decoration is hand applied, with grained or frosted surfaces, polished bevels and chamfered spokes on the wheels.

The steel case is 42mm in diameter and 10mm high.

Price and availability 

The S1 is limited to 10 watches, priced at £23,329 before taxes. That is equivalent to US$33,200. It’s available direct from Garrick.

Update April 13, 2018: Included the use of Sircumet for the balance wheel.