A young company born out of a genuine passion for the works of the Great British Masters, and a dedication to rekindle the embers of an almost forgotten industry, in a country which at one time had been the epicentre of horologic innovation and production, with its gorgeous hand made watches Garrick Watches of England are demonstrating with remarkable maturity that classic skilled craftsmanship never goes out of fashion.

With its S2 Centre Seconds, Garrick continues its ascent from acclaimed newcomer to ever greater recognition with a piece that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is masterfully created. In a round 42mm case of polished stainless steel, garnished with a deeply fluted onion shaped crown and with flowing contours from lug to lug, it is an elegant and sophisticated watch.

Beneath the sapphire crystal the dial is spectacular. Dominated by the magnificent balance which pulses in its aperture at the six o’clock position the dial is manufactured in silver, and engraved using traditional hand operated rose engine turning, its deep guilloché carving fans across the face in a mesmerisingly beautiful pattern of swirling ripples, which emanates from the centre of the dial, and out to the brushed silver outer ring. Here, the flame-blued steel chapter ring is applied on top and its roman numerals and rail track minute markers stand out and flash stunning reflections as the light passes over.

The noble free sprung Trinity balance, which is also manufactured in the Garrick workshop is classic old school watchmaking, and it beats gracefully at 18,000 vph, beneath an elegant, highly polished bridge with wide, flat feet where it is screwed onto the dial. Requiring exceptional skill and patience, it is calibrated only by the weight of three tiny screws in recesses set into its rim. Complementing the numerals, the heat blued hands are faceted lancine style and taper to fine points.

Underneath, a sapphire exhibition caseback reveals a movement of real beauty, with architecture and frosted surfacing that faithfully recalls the style of seventeenth century English Masters. The in house UT-G03 hand winding movement is created in the traditionally spartan appearance of the time, yet along the flat edges and curves of its plate and the bridges which hold the balance and escapement in place are immaculately hand polished.

A classical piece for a modern age, the Garrick S2 Centre Seconds is something truly special, and painstakingly crafted and finished by hand, and a piece which pays an admiring respect to the legacy of watchmaking’s pioneering British greats.