Today, I’d like to talk about a brand that introduced me, in my early days of watchmaking, to the art of engine-turned dials. You might have guessed it already: I’m referring to the watch brand Garrick. But before presenting their major new release for 2025, let me first tell you more about the founders behind this brand.
The story of the brand began in 2014, when David Brailsford was contacted by Simon Michlmayr. David Brailsford is an entrepreneur who made his fortune in mobile telecommunications before running an antiques business, eventually transitioning into the watch industry. He owned several high-end watch websites, including a concierge service that sourced rare and vintage pieces for clients. Through this, he built strong relationships with independent brands and eventually founded the Watchmakers Club. Simon Michlmayr, meanwhile, was a partner and co-founder alongside Brailsford. A graduate of the renowned WOSTEP (Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program), Michlmayr is considered one of the leading British watchmakers of his generation.
At the time, David Brailsford was working with Peter Roberts, a legendary figure in British horology, and it was during the launch of Roberts’ watch at SalonQP that he met Simon Michlmayr. That meeting led to the creation of Garrick. Having collaborated with many brands over the years, Brailsford was fully aware of the challenge they were about to face. The brand’s mission was to uphold and strengthen its roots in traditional British watchmaking by crafting high-end timepieces in their Norfolk workshop in England. The duo committed to preserving traditional techniques, investing their own capital to make it happen—a bold but thoughtful endeavor. In just a few years, Garrick made a name for itself on the independent watchmaking scene.
Garrick’s handcrafted mechanical watches are designed for purists who value character and a distinctly British origin. Hand-guilloché dials, finely exposed mechanisms, and free-sprung balance wheels define Garrick’s style, blending classical haute horlogerie with technical excellence. And what better way to explore Garrick’s world than by introducing the latest update to their existing S3 model—now equipped with a deadbeat seconds complication and elevated by exceptional artisanal craftsmanship. It represents the pinnacle of Garrick’s philosophy: a uniquely styled, hand-finished timepiece with observatory-style hands meticulously crafted in-house. Now, let’s move on to the watch presentation.
Table of Contents – Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds
What are the features of the Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds?
Case
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds features a fully polished 904L stainless steel case. Measuring 42mm in diameter and 11mm thick, the case has a 22mm lug width and boasts a large, fluted onion-style crown—a signature of the brand. Water-resistant to 100 metres, this case is as robust as it is refined, and can optionally be made in gold. Personally, I find the diameter slightly large, preferring more compact sizes as seen in watches by Roger W Smith, to which this piece bears a certain resemblance.
Dial
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds technically does not have a traditional dial. Instead, it offers a fully open view of the movement, showcasing the Trinity free-sprung balance wheel at 6 o’clock—one of the largest in horology. The “dial” is reduced to a German silver minute/second track with crisp markings and the Garrick logo at the top. The chapter ring can be customised in any colour, and the hands can be made to order in a variety of styles: observatory, lancine, spade, anchor; heat-blued, purpled or polished, and colour-matched to the client’s preference.
Mouvement
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds houses a manually wound calibre with a central deadbeat seconds complication. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the deadbeat seconds has a practical origin: historically used in medical settings to measure intervals like a patient’s pulse. This complication is visible through the caseback, revealing the spring, intermediate wheel, and central seconds wheel. Based on the UT series developed in collaboration with Andreas Strehler’s UhrTeil AG, this movement is named DB-G07.
Fitted with 21 jewels, the movement beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour and offers a 45-hour power reserve, indicated at 2 o’clock. The calibre incorporates Garrick’s Trinity free-sprung balance made from Sircumet, one of the largest balances in watchmaking today. This generous scale adds distinct character to the timepiece. Each movement undergoes a three-week regulation process, achieving a maximum daily variation of +3 seconds across multiple positions—surpassing COSC certification standards. The calibre also features upgraded wheels, pinions, and bridges compared to the S3 Mk II.
Manufactured in the UK, the finishing, assembly, and regulation are all carried out at Garrick’s Norfolk atelier. Aesthetically, the movement includes bevelled and frosted bridges and a hand-engraved balance cock. As with all Garrick models, custom finishing options are available: frosted, brushed, or mirror-polished bridges; wheels in gold, silver, or rhodium; and grain, frosted, or polished finishes.
Strap
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds comes fitted with a lizard strap and a stainless steel pin buckle. Upon request, clients can customise the strap in materials such as alligator, calf, buffalo, or ostrich.
What is the price of the Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds?
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds is priced at $87,987 (excluding VAT), with a 65% deposit required and the balance payable before delivery. Each piece is made to order, with an annual production capacity of just three to five units.
Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds: a showcase of the finest in British horology
The Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds is, in my opinion, a stunning watch both visually and technically. The exposed mechanics of the deadbeat seconds complication are simply mesmerising. I believe this new iteration will delight fans of the brand and independent watch collectors alike. It encapsulates what Garrick stands for: bold design, exceptional finishing, and extensive personalisation. My only reservation lies in the rather large case diameter for this style of watch.
Nevertheless, I appreciate the brand’s transparency and authenticity. Clients are always welcome to visit the workshop and witness their operations first-hand. Garrick is celebrated for its appeal to collectors who value heritage, individuality, and an honest approach. Since its founding, Garrick has contributed—alongside other brands—to the revival of Britain’s once-revered watchmaking tradition.
I would like to extend my thanks to David Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr, who warmly welcomed me at the Hotel d’Angleterre in Geneva to present their world and a selection of their models. I felt genuine passion and consideration for collectors from both gentlemen—something worth highlighting in a landscape where some brands reduce collectors to mere data points on a spreadsheet.
Garrick S3 Deadbeat Seconds – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Garrick
- Model: S3 Deadbeat Seconds – Power Reserve
- Case Material: 904L Stainless Steel
- Dial: Openworked
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Central Deadbeat Seconds
- Movement: DB-G06, Manual-Winding, 18’000vph frequency (2,5Hz), 21 jewels
- Power Reserve: 56 Hours
- Water Resistance: 10 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 42 mm (Diameter) × 10 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Lizard Leather with 904L Stainless Steel Pin Buckle
- Retail Price: $87,987 (excluding VAT)
What do you think of Garrick’s latest release? Were the hand-guilloché dials from Garrick better in the past? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
For more information about Garrick, click here.
