Hands-On With The Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood Watch — High-End Watch Evolution At Its Finest

That’s heavy sh*t, man. Two years ago, we had the chance to go hands-on with the Fleming Series 1 Launch Edition Tantalum. In that alloy, which is roughly twice as heavy as steel, the watch made a lasting impression. It was “heavy” in hippie-speak because of its refined case shape, intricate dial details, and remarkable movement. The Series I appeared in three limited editions — seven pieces each in platinum and pink gold, along with 25 in tantalum. Today, the evolved Mark II versions in pink gold and tantalum debut. We at Fratello went hands-on with the pink gold Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood. The watch is named after the giant Sequoioideae trees in California, home of Thomas Fleming, an avid watch collector turned brand founder.

Thomas Fleming is living the American Dream, although his dream plays in Switzerland. To realize his dream of creating the perfect watch, he put together a veritable dream team. Fleming partnered with renowned experts, such as independent watchmaker Jean-François Mojon and his team at Chronode, as well as the craftspeople of Comblémine, Kari Voutilainen’s dial manufacture. The result was the Fleming Series 1 released in 2024. Now, two years later, two evolved versions appear. The watches in tantalum and pink gold feature several tweaks and updates that tell you Thomas Fleming is still dreaming. We had a chance to check out the Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood, featuring a deepened dial and a refined movement.

Hands-on with the Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood — A high-horology project that makes its mark

Thomas Fleming believes in harmony, and that’s why he strives for it. The search for perfect harmony between case, dial, and movement led to the Series 1 Mark II. The goal was to deepen the dial’s shadow, making it come to life even more when light hits it. Fleming also reimagined the polished ring encircling the dial, which reflects the raised center band of the case, and the movement received an update as well. The new Mark II builds on the Series 1’s foundation with a comprehensive rethinking. Nearly every component has been refined. The case geometry, for instance, is more precise, the dial architecture more dimensional, and the movement entirely reimagined.

The Series 1 Mark II is available in two variants — the blue-green-dial Pacific in tantalum and the brown-and-gold-dial Redwood in pink gold, which we received at Fratello HQ. Both variations have a Californian theme. The influence of the Golden State is atmospheric rather than literal, something you don’t see enough in the world of watches, where inspiration is often translated very literally.

The warmth of the Redwood

The Series 1 Mark II Redwood features a 5N 18K rose gold case, and that’s the first novelty. This alloy’s hue is darker than the 4N used in the Series 1 Launch Edition; it’s a nuanced evolution. It is immediately clear that the dial has a new design. It consists of warm gold and brown tones inspired by the ancient coastal redwood forests.

The layered, hand-finished components invite close inspection, though we did notice a few very tiny blemishes on the watch that “posed” for Max’s camera, which is to be expected for an early prototype. When you look at the dial, as you would to check the time, it impresses with its balanced look. It’s a modern interpretation of the classic sector dial that packs a strong yet sophisticated visual punch.

A case of refinement

Just like the original Series 1 from two years ago, the case maintains classic dress-watch proportions. This 38.5mm exterior, with its 9mm total thickness (8mm without the crystal) and long, slender lugs that give it a 46.5mm length, comes close to reaching proportional perfection. The watch is neither too small nor too big. Instead, it strikes the sweet spot, at least on my 18cm (7″) wrist and in my eyes. If a case is too thin, the watch disappears, and if it’s too thick, it’s not a dress watch anymore. Thankfully, there are no such issues here. This case is also very sculptural, as you can see, and that also adds to its presence on the wrist.

The distinctive three-part mid-case features brushed upper and lower surfaces framing a polished band that flows seamlessly through the skeletonized lugs. This results in a continuous profile with some interesting details that grab and hold your attention. The Mark II shows updated, sharper transitions and more clearly defined surfaces. The geometry of the lugs, for instance, has been ever so slightly adjusted to allow the case to sit just a bit better on the wrist. As a result, the case made by Efteor — a company from Bassecourt in the Swiss Jura — looks crisper, sharper, and just a bit better overall than that of the Series 1 Launch Edition.

What comes after FM.01? Exactly, FM.02!

The outside got an update, and so did the inside. Caliber FM.02 is the logical successor to the hand-winding FM.01 movement, which was developed in close collaboration with the renowned watchmaker Jean-François Mojon. This time, Mojon had a hand in the caliber’s evolution. The new FM.02 has a 4mm profile and delivers an impressive 168-hour (seven-day) power reserve via twin barrels arranged in series.

Caliber FM.02 is not just a movement. Just like the case and dial, it’s also an integral part of the design. The movement’s bridges have been reworked with broader anglage and more sculptural forms. Also new are the bespoke wheels and custom ratchet that mirror the curved silhouette of the skeletonized lugs. Each wheel incorporates 28 sharply defined interior angles, all finished by hand. In total, the movement contains 189 interior angles, including on components that remain completely hidden. And yes, although not visible, they’re finished to the same exacting standard as those in full view. This is all courtesy of finishing partner Manufactor, which brought Fleming’s philosophy to life.

Final words on the Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood

The Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood is an impressive watch, with a thoughtfully sophisticated design. The finishing of the case, dial, and movement is of a very high level. In particular, the curved, rounded, and polished balance bridge is a thing of great beauty. With its different finishes and warm shades, it’s nothing short of charismatic. Its warm, luxurious glow is both classic and contemporary. Last but certainly not least, the polished leaf-shaped hands are precisely the right length, tying the dial together perfectly.

The Fleming Series 1 Mark II Redwood costs CHF 53,500, excluding taxes. The Pacific in tantalum, which we didn’t have the pleasure of trying on at Fratello HQ, features a blue-green sector dial with a black-polished ring, applied hour markers, and a mix of brushed, grained, and black-polished finishes. That version costs CHF 55,500 before taxes. To answer the question in this article’s subtitle, yes, the Mark II is more impressive than the first series. This is very heavy watch stuff, man.

For more information on the Series 1 Mark II Redwood and Pacific, please visit the official Fleming site.