WatchPro is never starved of stories from watch enthusiasts who, having failed to find the timepiece of their heart’s desire, decide to launch their own brand to fill the hole.
Typically, they employ a design agency who can get watches made in Switzerland or China using inexpensive components, and have them up on Kickstarter inside a few months.
Most are derivative, dull and disappear without trace.
A British start-up came to us this week with a not dissimilar origin story, but caught our eye because it has much loftier ambitions for low-volume, high value watches created in partnership with fine artisans and engineers in Germany, Hong Kong, Russia and Switzerland.
Founder and designer Oliver Gallaugher has launched the brand O.G and is aiming to make just ten watches this year, priced at £7,800 each, and build from there.
At that price, every detail should be scrutinised, and there is early evidence that O.G’s first piece will interest aficionados with a jeweller’s eye for polishing, finishing and micro engineering.
What’s more, he is completely transparent about the provenance of every component in the watches, and has come up with a genuinely original look and feel for his first timepiece, the Deep Space.
We will get onto the dial in a moment but the flip side of the watch is worth getting a loupe out for.
The movement is a hand-wound Swiss Unitas 6498, modified and finished in Glashütte, and very much in the style of a 19th century German three-quarter plate calibre, which gives plenty of surface area for golden perlage, Geneva stripes, polished chamfers and countersunk jewels.
The movement is stamped with the O.G logo and confirmation that it is one of just ten being made.
The modifications have encouraged Mr Gallaugher to rename the movement as the GUY-1. Not exactly the in-house movement that purists prefer, but unique to O.G, nonetheless.
The dial and hands are made in Moscow and Glashütte and is comprised of a brushed titanium base with an anodised coating and hand engraved stars.
“I imagined animating a watch’s dial without any moving parts, creating movement through texture and tone. I saw flashes of light and dark with a scattering of stars – deep
space,” Mr Gallaugher describes.
Hands are made from titanium and steel and combine a sandblasted finish with anodised coatings.
The minute track appears to float above the dial, but is actually printed on the inside of the watch’s sapphire glass.
Mr Gallaugher is keen to point out that the photographs shared here are of a prototype, and the finished watches will be even more precise.
The Deep Space comes in a 41mm steel case with contrasting polished and sandblasted finishes. It is water resistant to 30 metres.
It is finished with a grey handmade sandwiched nylon and calf leather strap.
Will the watch find a market? Who can be certain, and almost £8,000 for a first watch is punchy, to say the least.
But the vision and direction is right for the current market where people value exclusivity, originality and craftsmanship. As a British business appreciating haute horolergie, it has a chance.
It’s a nice looking watch, and the finishing appears excellent. However, at this time I wouldn’t consider purchasing anything produced in Moscow, and nor would I offer it to customers.
Considering the public’s download at the initials OG¹ as refering to cheap and tacky stuff, I’m surprised he went with this as the logo.
Plus, I can’t say the pictured watch looks the price being charged
Plenty using the OG to try to look impressive are all X Listers (not even good enough for Z rating) as the slang for OG is original gangsters, which none who use that monogram are
Hi Steve, thank you for your comment and kind words about the watch. I worked with Vasiliy and his team on this series to develop the crown, case decorations and dial. He has a very small and independent workshop and I stand by him 100%.
Is that Moscow Russia? They have lost me! Crass!
Hi Mac, thank you for the wonderful comment! My name is Oliver Gallaugher. That is why I’m using my initials O.G.
Hello David, I began working on the dial and case parts last year with Vasiliy’s small workshop and team. This watch is a collaboration between passionate watchmakers around the world.
Bringing a whole new meaning to the term OG.
I like it. I like the story, the ambition and the fact you’ve stood by your name regardless of what a few “neigh sayers” might think. The watches shown are nice looking. Hopefully I’ll have one in hand someday to really appreciate the craftsmanship in all its glory.
Well done Oliver
Ash, thank you very much! Do send me a message through the website http://www.olivergallaugher.com or on IG @olivergallaugher. Would love to make that happen!