Manufacture History: Garrick Watchmakers

Garrick Watchmakers was founded in 2012 in Norfolk, England, by Simon Michlmayr. The brand emerged from a desire to revive British watchmaking, which had largely disappeared after the quartz crisis. While Britain has a rich horological history—think Thomas Tompion, John Harrison, and the great clockmakers of the 18th century—the modern era has been dominated by Swiss and German brands. Garrick set out to change that, one hand-finished watch at a time.

The company operates from a workshop in Norfolk, where a small team of watchmakers assembles, modifies, and finishes each piece. They don't have the scale of Rolex or Omega, and they don't pretend to. Instead, they focus on craftsmanship, using traditional techniques like hand-engraving, perlage, and Geneva stripes. The S3 Timepiece is part of their core collection, sitting alongside the S1, S2, S4, and S5. It's the model that best represents their philosophy: a wearable, everyday watch that still showcases the brand's attention to detail.

For collectors, Garrick represents a chance to own a piece of modern British watchmaking history. The brand is still small, and production is limited. That means you're unlikely to run into another S3 at your local watch meetup. It's the kind of watch that starts conversations, not because it's flashy, but because it's different.

Movement: Modified ETA 2824-2

At the heart of the Garrick S3 Timepiece is a modified ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. This is a significant point of discussion among collectors. Some purists might turn up their noses at a non-in-house movement, but Garrick doesn't just drop in a stock ETA and call it a day. The movement is stripped down, rebuilt, and fitted with a Garrick-designed rotor and bridges. The finishing is done in-house, with Geneva stripes, perlage, and blued screws. It's a transformation that elevates a reliable workhorse into something visually impressive.

The ETA 2824-2 is known for its robustness and accuracy. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The date complication is a practical addition, making the S3 a true daily wearer. While it's not a COSC-certified chronometer, Garrick regulates each movement before it leaves the workshop, so real-world accuracy should be within -10 to +15 seconds per day. That's perfectly acceptable for a watch in this price range, and it means you can wear it without worrying about constant time checks.

The movement is visible through a sapphire case back, which is a nice touch. It allows you to appreciate the hand-finishing that Garrick puts into each piece. The rotor is decorated and features the Garrick logo, and the bridges have been reworked to give the movement a more bespoke appearance. It's not a fully in-house calibre, but it's a thoughtfully modified one that offers the best of both worlds: Swiss reliability and British craftsmanship.

Specs and Design

The Garrick S3 Timepiece is a classic three-hand watch with a date window at 3 o'clock. The case is made of stainless steel, which is a sensible choice for a daily wearer. It's durable, easy to maintain, and doesn't attract unwanted attention. The crystal is sapphire, offering excellent scratch resistance and clarity. The watch comes on a hand-made leather strap, which is supple and comfortable from the first wear. It fastens with a pin buckle, a traditional choice that suits the watch's vintage-inspired aesthetic.

One thing you'll notice immediately is the absence of lume. The S3 is not a sports watch, and Garrick has wisely avoided the temptation to add Super-LumiNova to a dressy timepiece. The dial is designed for legibility in normal lighting conditions, with applied indices and polished hands. The lack of lume keeps the dial clean and elegant, which is exactly what you want from a watch like this.

The dial itself is available in multiple colours, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your style. Whether you prefer a classic silver, a deep blue, or something more adventurous, Garrick offers options. The design is understated but not boring. There are subtle details, like the shape of the hands and the finishing on the indices, that reveal themselves over time. This is a watch that rewards ownership.

Wrist Feel and Comfort

On the wrist, the Garrick S3 Timepiece feels like a proper watch. It has a reassuring heft, but it's not overly heavy. The stainless steel case sits flat on the wrist, and the lugs curve gently to follow the contours of your arm. The leather strap is soft and pliable, so there's no break-in period. The pin buckle is easy to use and keeps the watch secure.

Balance is excellent. The weight is centered, and the watch doesn't slide around on the wrist. It wears well on medium to large wrists, and it looks equally at home with a suit or a casual shirt. The date window is positioned at 3 o'clock, which is the most practical location for quick reading. The hands are polished and catch the light, making the time easy to read at a glance.

One of the things I appreciate most about the S3 is how unobtrusive it is. It doesn't have a massive crown or sharp edges that dig into your hand. It's a watch you can wear all day without thinking about it. That's the hallmark of a great daily wearer.

Accuracy and Reliability

With the ETA 2824-2 inside, you can expect reliable performance. This movement has been a staple of the Swiss watch industry for decades, and for good reason. It's robust, easy to service, and capable of keeping good time. Garrick regulates each movement, so out of the box, you should see accuracy in the range of -10 to +15 seconds per day. That's not chronometer-grade, but it's well within acceptable limits for a mechanical watch.

In my time with the S3, I found it to be consistent. It didn't exhibit any wild swings in rate, and it started up reliably after being left overnight. The power reserve of around 38 hours means you can take it off on Friday evening and put it back on Monday morning without having to reset it. That's a practical benefit for a daily wearer.

If you're someone who demands quartz-like accuracy, this isn't the watch for you. But if you appreciate the mechanical nature of a traditional timepiece and the craftsmanship that goes into it, the S3 delivers. It's a watch that feels alive on the wrist.

Occasions and Wrist Presence

The Garrick S3 Timepiece is versatile. It's dressy enough for a formal event, but casual enough for everyday wear. I'd wear it to the office, to dinner, and even to a watch collector's meetup. It's not a sports watch, so I wouldn't take it swimming or to the gym. But for most other occasions, it fits right in.

In terms of wrist presence, I'd give it a 4 out of 5. It's not a watch that shouts, but it does draw attention from those who know. The hand-finished movement, the British branding, and the unique design make it a conversation starter. If you want a watch that flies under the radar but still has substance, this is it.

Reference Variants and Family

Garrick offers the S3 Timepiece in a range of dial colours. The core model remains the same, with the modified ETA 2824-2 and stainless steel case. There are no major reference variants beyond the dial options, which keeps things simple. The S3 is part of a larger family that includes the S1, S2, S4, and S5. The S1 is a hand-wound model with small seconds, the S2 offers a power reserve indicator, the S4 adds a GMT function, and the S5 is a tourbillon. Each model shares the same design language and commitment to hand-finishing.

Other notable models from Garrick include the Shrewsbury, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. These are earlier models that helped establish the brand's reputation. They are worth seeking out on the pre-owned market if you're a collector of British watchmaking.

Similar Watches

If you're considering the Garrick S3 Timepiece, you might also look at a few alternatives. The Nomos Tangente is a German-made watch with in-house movement and a similar minimalist aesthetic. The Stowa Marine is a classic marine chronometer with a clean dial and excellent value. The Christopher Ward C65 is a British-designed watch with Swiss movement and a more affordable price point. The Bremont Solo is another British brand, though it focuses more on aviation and sports watches. Each of these offers something different, but the Garrick S3 stands out for its hand-finishing and independent British heritage.

Homages

There are no direct homages to the Garrick S3 Timepiece that I'm aware of. The watch's unique design and hand-finished movement make it difficult to replicate at a lower price point. If you want this look, you'll have to go for the real thing.

Investment Value

Garrick is an independent brand with a small production output. That means the pre-owned market is thin, and values tend to be stable rather than speculative. You're not going to flip this watch for a profit overnight, and that's not the point. The S3 is a watch to buy and wear. If you're looking for an investment, you'd be better off with a steel Rolex or a limited-edition Omega. But if you value craftsmanship and want something that isn't mass-produced, the S3 offers a different kind of return: the pleasure of owning a unique piece of British watchmaking.

As for auction history, there's no major auction record for the Garrick S3. The brand is still young, and its models haven't yet appeared at the big houses like Phillips or Christie's. That could change as the brand grows, but for now, it's a watch for the initiated.

Service and Maintenance

Servicing a Garrick S3 Timepiece is best done through the brand itself. Garrick is based in Norfolk, and they have the expertise to service the modified ETA movement. The service interval is not specified, but for a mechanical watch, you should expect to service it every 5 to 7 years, or whenever accuracy becomes an issue. The cost will depend on the work required, but it's likely to be in line with other independent brands. Because the movement is based on an ETA 2824-2, many independent watchmakers can also handle basic servicing, but for anything involving the modified bridges or rotor, it's best to send it to Garrick.

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Final Verdict

The Garrick S3 Timepiece is a compelling statement for collectors who want something off the beaten path. It blends traditional watchmaking with a modern British sensibility, and the modified ETA movement keeps it reliable. If you value character over convention, it deserves a spot on your wrist. It's not a watch for everyone, and that's exactly the point. In a market saturated with hype and mass-produced luxury, the S3 offers a refreshing alternative: a hand-finished, independent watch that you can wear every day.

For the young collector who has already owned the usual suspects and is looking for something with a story, the Garrick S3 Timepiece is a worthy addition. It's a watch that will age gracefully, and it will always be a conversation starter. Just don't expect it to be the next big auction lot. Buy it because you love it, and you'll never regret it.