Why The New Garrick S8 Might Be The Brand’s Best Watch Yet

OK, we’ve all read and probably scoffed at headlines like this. I’m with you; this kind of superlative reeks of marketing BS. Unfortunately, though, genuine enthusiasm can sometimes get lost behind such claims. This is one of those occasions when the reality lives up to the hype: the Garrick S8 might be the brand’s best watch yet. The only questionable word in that sentence is “might,” because I think it absolutely is.

I was fortunate enough to get an early look at the new Garrick S8 during Indies.NYC at New York Watch Week last month. I’ve been a fan of the brand for quite some time, partly because, like me, it’s British. Plus, anyone who knows me understands that I’m a sucker for a skeletonized movement. Combining those two interests was always going to get my attention. Having now seen the S8 in person, I genuinely believe it’s the best watch Garrick has made to date. Considering how highly I rate some of its previous creations, that’s saying something.

The most complicated type of simple

Garrick describes the S8 as one of its simplest watches yet also the hardest it has ever built. That might sound strange considering that this is a time-only watch displaying hours, minutes, and running seconds at 8 o’clock. There’s no tourbillon, chronograph, or other mechanical complication. However, one look at the exposed movement gives you an idea of what Garrick means. The amount of work involved in hand-finishing every visible component on both sides is remarkable, and having seen the watch in person, I can certainly believe it.

The 39mm sweet spot

The first thing that struck me about the S8 was its size. I think Garrick has hit the sweet spot with a 39mm diameter and a mere 8mm profile. The S3 Mk2 and S3 Deadbeat Seconds are both fantastic watches, and I’ve admired them for a long time, but their 42mm cases are a little too large for my wrist and preferences. The 38mm S7, on the other hand, fits me very well. So why am I particularly pleased with the S8’s 39mm case? I think that extra millimeter gives Garrick more room to work with. When you’re showcasing this level of intricate movement finishing, that additional real estate makes a difference.

Garrick has maximized the dial opening to expose as much of the movement as possible, and the proportions look perfect to me. The relatively slim case helps, particularly given how much is happening visually. It’s made of 904L stainless steel, with precious metals available on request. It offers a sapphire crystal on the front, a display case back, and even a 100m water resistance rating. That’s a surprisingly practical specification for something as delicate-looking as the S8.

All about the finishing

The real attraction is the new manual-winding Garrick S8 caliber. It offers around 60 hours of power reserve and runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour, but those specifications aren’t what make this watch so interesting. The finishing deserves your attention. I’ve always loved skeletonization, particularly when it’s done properly. By that, I mean using the exposed architecture to showcase the movement’s quality rather than simply creating an interesting visual effect. With the S8, Garrick has taken that approach about as far as it reasonably can.

Removing material from the bridges and wheels creates a great deal of additional work. Every new opening introduces more edges that need finishing, and each one must be beveled and polished by hand. A watchmaker must also thoroughly consider structural integrity before beginning the finishing process. Throughout the S8 movement, you’ll find sharp internal angles, which are particularly demanding to execute. Achieving a crisp internal corner requires considerable skill and patience, with no shortcut to doing it properly by hand. Not every brand is willing to take on that challenge; some notable big-name manufacturers avoid internal angles because of their complexity.

Black polishing and the finer details

Then, there’s the black polishing. It’s one of my favorite traditional finishing techniques, and Garrick has used it extensively throughout the S8. Achieving a perfectly flat, mirror-like surface is incredibly labor-intensive. Depending on the viewing angle, these surfaces can look almost completely black before suddenly reflecting light like a mirror. Combined with the fine frosted finishing on the remaining surfaces, this creates wonderful contrast and draws your eye to the individual components. I also love the skeletonized ratchet wheel near 1 o’clock. It’s a deliberate nod to the prominent wheel on the S3, giving the movement a recognizable Garrick character despite its different internal architecture.

Next, we come to the chapter ring. Garrick has chosen frosted German silver with engraved hour markers, each individually filled with ink by hand. Apparently, this is more difficult than it sounds. On a conventional steel chapter ring, a lathe can remove excess ink. German silver is a different beast because the material stains easily, and its frosted texture can draw ink away from the engraving. The solution is to fill each marker by hand using a syringe under a microscope.

Eight weeks of work for one watchmaker

Garrick entrusts each watch to a single watchmaker, who handles the finishing and assembly from start to finish. This includes plating the components and even making the hands. The entire process takes approximately eight weeks, roughly twice as long as the already impressive S3 Deadbeat Seconds. When you consider how many individual surfaces need attention, eight weeks suddenly doesn’t seem unreasonable. In fact, I’m almost surprised it doesn’t take longer. It certainly would if I tried my hand at it, but that’s why we leave these things to the experts.

The first two prototypes were built by Garrick watchmakers Stuart Smith and Alex Downing, and their work speaks for itself. It’s also worth remembering how much Garrick does here in Britain. The brand makes, finishes, and assembles its in-house movements at its Norfolk workshop. The cases are manufactured in the UK before being finished in Norfolk, and even the straps are British-made. Few British watchmakers operate at this level while keeping so much of the production process on home soil. I’ve always admired and taken a little national pride in this.

Making the Garrick S8 truly yours

Another thing I’ve always liked about Garrick is the freedom it gives its collectors. Every watch is built to order, and the S8 is no exception. With so much of the movement exposed, the various finishing and material options can dramatically change its appearance. Customers can choose silver or dark gray rhodium, yellow gold, and pink gold finishes for the movement, with contrasting colors available for the wheels and balance. The handmade steel hands can be polished, heat-blued, or even heat-purpled, and different hand styles are also available. The 904L stainless steel case can be polished or frosted, while precious-metal cases are another option. The images below show a few of the available case options, including rose gold, yellow gold, and 904L stainless steel.

I can imagine spending an unreasonable amount of time deciding on the perfect combination. I say that because I have my name on the brand’s “build board” (waiting list) for an S7. I’ve already spent plenty of time considering these same choices, yet I still haven’t settled on a final combination. For an S8, I’d be very tempted by a monochromatic look, perhaps with a dark gray movement and contrasting polished components. However, the warmer gold-toned version I saw in New York also made a strong impression. The movement and case are left clean and unengraved, allowing owners to personalize the case back if they wish.

Garrick deserves more recognition

I’ve said before that I admire Garrick enormously, and I still think the brand flies under the radar far more than it should. Perhaps some collectors like it that way, but as someone who sees sharing a passion for watches as part of the job, I think that lack of recognition is a horological crime. The quality of the watchmaking at its Norfolk workshop is exceptional, and the brand deserves to be discussed much more frequently alongside better-known independent watchmakers. For me, the S8 is its strongest argument yet. I’m already pitching it for the 2027 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards. It will be nominated; you heard it here first! The size is fantastic, the movement architecture is beautiful, and the finishing is genuinely impressive. I struggle to think of anything I’d want Garrick to change.

Five watches a year and a growing wait

Of course, there’s a catch. Such horological beauty never comes without a price tag. The Garrick S8 starts at £59,500 in stainless steel and rises to £73,000 in precious metal, with both prices including taxes. Production is limited to no more than five watches per year, and each requires eight weeks of dedicated work. However, given the S8’s quality and what the same amount of money would buy elsewhere in the market, I think the price is actually very fair, if not slightly lower than it could be. That’s particularly true given the brand’s announcement that the steel model’s price will remain unchanged for at least three years. In a world where annual price increases have become the norm, that’s remarkable.

With Garrick’s ever-growing waiting list, I suspect securing one will be quite challenging. I’m already rather envious of the small handful of collectors who’ll be fortunate enough to secure one. I’ve seen some excellent Garrick watches over the years, and the S3 and S7 remain personal favorites. However, having spent some time with the S8, I think the brand has raised the bar considerably. I hope this watch brings Garrick the wider recognition it deserves. If you ever get the chance to see one in person, I’d strongly recommend taking it. For more information, visit Garrick’s official website.