The New Garrick S6 Collection Celebrates British Watchmaking & Customisation

Garrick, founded in 2014, is a Norfolk-based company led by co-founder David Brailsford. It made quite an impression when the Shaftesbury watch series was presented to the public, followed by the Norfolk and Hoxton, and then the Portsmouth – with a proprietary movement made with Andreas Strehler – all in less than three years. The direction and philosophy behind Garrick’s creations were further strengthened by the S1, S2 and S3 models. They all used the same base movement as the Portsmouth, featuring exceptional attention to detail with designs that respect traditional British watchmaking. In 2021, the company revealed the competitively priced S4, this time powered by a reworked ETA 6498 movement, but still, to a large degree, created and finished in Garrick’s workshops. Come 2023, and Garrick will extend the brand’s entry-level range with a new S6, offering bespoke service and highlighting British craftsmanship – as always.

The new Garrick S6 is presented in a 42mm stainless steel case, made in England, meticulously finished in Norfolk workshops and featuring grained edges with mirror-polishing on the top surfaces. The sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating, the caseback is transparent to demonstrate the movement, and the construction ensures water-resistance of 100m – all identical to the S4 series. 

The dial of the S6 was designed differently from the S4, where Roman numerals added a classic feel to the timepiece presentation. The new watch dropped the numbers so that the dial could showcase different decorating options but kept a nice chapter ring with indices for hours and minutes. These indices are recessed and filled with ink by hand. Since each Garrick timepiece is made to order, clients can choose from various textures and finishes. Dials are made in-house from start to finish, and they can be laser textured, hand-hammered or engine-turned using Garrick’s own rare traditional machines. The small-seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock can be executed to suit your taste – uniform with the dial or with its unique finish. The customisation does not stop here; the hands can be anchor-shaped or modest so-called lancine, also offered in three variants – polished, heat-blued or grained. 

The movement, the hand-wound calibre BF03, is a modified ETA 6498 with the Glucydur balance then decorated by Garrick’s watchmakers – the same calibre was used in the S4 series. It is built with 19 jewels, beats at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations/hour and has a power reserve of about 50 hours. Again, the exhibition caseback allows a good view of the movement with many admirable details. The bridges are bevelled and polished, the screws are blued, the balance cock is skeletonised, and the barrel cover and crown wheel are signature-engraved with a proud Garrick Watchmaker and Made in England text. Garrick’s large movement bridge can be decorated and finished according to the client’s wishes. The options include hand-engraving, hammering or a frosted texture with gold, silver or rhodium plating.

Speaking of gold, the case can be ordered in precious metal. Indeed, with this number of customisation options available and keeping in mind Garrick’s small production volume, many watches may come out as unique pieces. With the S6 prices starting at GBP 5,412.50 (excl. VAT), the new Garrick timepiece will become a hot item. 

Garrick has undoubtedly evolved; let us see what comes next. With an ambition to make British watchmaking as relevant as it once was, releasing the S6 Garrick takes another step, if not next to Harrison, Mudge and Quare, but certainly on the pages telling the story of contemporary independent brands. It is hard to underestimate the importance of entry-level timepieces such as the new S6 or the previously released S4 as they open doors and spread the good word. With this, independent watchmaking from Britain has a chance.

To order your Garrick S6 watch, to follow the production process and for more information, please visit www.garrick.co.uk.