Monochrome Watches
An online magazine dedicated to fine watches

British Brand Garrick introduces the Portsmouth with Proprietary Movement made with Andreas Strehler

calendar | ic_dehaze_black_24px By Xavier Markl | ic_query_builder_black_24px 2 min read |
Garrick Portsmouth, British watch with proprietary movement by Strehler

The world sets its time by Greenwich. Before Switzerland established its supremacy over the watchmaking domain, British masters laid the groundwork for modern mechanical movements. Now a new generation of English watchmakers are emerging to not only celebrate but also successfully revive this once proud tradition. Among them, Garrick, founded just 3 years ago. Now, following the success of the Shaftesbury, Norfolk and Hoxton, the brand unveils the Portsmouth boasting an exclusive new movement.

Garrick Portsmouth, British watch with proprietary movement by Strehler

As with earlier models the design of the Portsmouth is undeniably inspired by historic Marine Chronometers, a homage to Great Britain’s Seafaring tradition. After all the British once ruled the world because their navy ruled the waves – and to do so they needed precise timekeepers.

Playing up its heritage, the silver dial of the inaugural edition of the Portsmouth sports an engraved ‘England’ motif and striking thermally blued hands (first seen on the Norfolk) to indicate hours and minutes. Garrick is all about bespoke watch-making however so you can choose to have just about anything you like engraved on the dial (if you’re not feeling particularly patriotic, or British). A small second sub-dial is offset at 10 o’clock. The elegant round 42mm case features a thin rounded bezel and a large fluted crown.

Garrick Portsmouth, British watch with proprietary movement by Strehler

The movement, designed by famed Swiss watchmaker Andreas Strehler and his company Uhr Teil AG, is clearly visible through the sapphire caseback. Some of the components have also been crafted by Uhr Teil AG, while other parts are made in Garrick’s own workshop in Norfolk. The finishing is relatively simple but very nice, the hand-wound movement frosted and polished by hand.

Garrick Portsmouth, British watch with proprietary movement by Strehler

The movement architecture is rather unusual, in part due to the balance wheel being located at the front and the anchor at the back. This is not entirely unintentional however as the design of the movement, with its prominent balance bridge, is intended to look stereotypically British. There are three-bridges in total. The large one holds the crown wheel, barrel and gear train including the escapement wheel; while two smaller ones secure the anchor and allows the balance staff to rotate in the anti-shock device. The original click spring is further evidence of Garrick’s attention to detail.

Garrick Portsmouth, British watch with proprietary movement by Strehler

We will be getting hands on with the new Garrick Portsmouth very soon so stay tuned for a more detailed, in-depth review.


Technical specifications of the Garrick Portsmouth

  • Case: 42mm x 11mm– steel – sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment, sapphire case-back.
  • Movement: UT-G01 mechanical with manual winding – 45h power reserve – 19 jewels – 21’600 vibrations/h – hours, minutes and small seconds
  • Strap: leather with steel buckle
  • Price: 17,995 GPB

https://mowa.dev/introducing-garrick-portsmouth-british-watch-movement-by-andreas-strehler-price/

6 responses

  1. I was with you till I saw the price – maybe if the ‘1’ at the front is a missprint for a ‘£’ ?

  2. You seem to missing the point. It’s hand built and finished by hand. I would assume it takes quite some time to build something like this. I am no expert but you would pay 3 times that price for something from a Swiss independent.
    It really is beautiful but sadly out of my price range 🙁 Their Norfolk watch is more in my price bracket but with Xmas coming up I have other priorities. Maybe one day…..

  3. It is a descent watch for a young brand and even more. But the price in USD is ~22.5k, which puts it to a very strong competition with major brands like JLC, ALS and more. For instance, JLC Duometre can be had for ~21k and just compare the level of watchmakery, movements.

  4. Hi Xavier,
    thanks for sharing.
    Frankly speaking, I see a lot of things out of place in this watch. Aesthetically it doesn’t show the good taste a dress watch should deliver. The “england” engrave, the gigantic logo….to my taste, definitely out of place. The hands also don’t look very tasteful with their semi-circular end. I can appreciate the movement because of the wachmaker behind it, but in any case the price is out of place too – especially if compared to better known brands as mentioned above by fellow watch lovers.

    Just my two cents,
    regards,
    slide68

  5. 3 Times the price for a Swiss time-only in steel with very basic movement finishing? I think not!

  6. When you consider what you could get from JLC, Vacheron, Breguet etc for about the same price this watch seems rather expensive. If you compare it to a small independent like Stefan Kudoke, who’s watches honestly look much better and are considerably less it seems rather ridiculous.

Leave a Reply