Introducing: Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT
And an auction to support Ukraine
Before we get to the exciting new release from Oak & Oscar, I wanted to highlight something extremely cool that Oak & Oscar founder Chase and the team are also doing.
To support the people of Ukraine, Oak & Oscar is auctioning off a one-of-one blue & yellow Olmsted. Here are the details:
100% of the money from this auction will be donated to the Red Cross to support their efforts to help fight the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Yes, 100%.
Bid in the comments on the Instagram post until 5pm CT this Friday (3/4).
Check out the full details on the post here:
Introducing: Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT
Oak & Oscar is back with the latest addition to its collection, the Humboldt GMT. The new release takes Oak & Oscar’s (now retired) Humboldt model and adds a GMT complication and 24-hour bezel to the mix, leveling up what was already one of the most attractive, versatile sports watches from any brand, big or small.
One of Oak & Oscar’s first releases back in 2016 was the Sanford GMT. It was a quick hit that sold out, and fans of the brand have been clamoring for a follow-up GMT ever since. Well, it’s finally arrived, and it’s everything we could’ve asked for. The case measures 39.5mm in diameter, with a wearable 47mm lug-to-lug. The 24-hour bezel and GMT movement mean you can track three time zones. It’ll be offered in three dial variations — white, blue, or black. The blue is a classic look from Oak & Oscar, while the clean white was first seen in the Olmsted released a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, the matte black is a first from the brand, giving the Humboldt GMT another utilitarian option.
Also updated is the bracelet that’ll come on the Humboldt GMT. The new bracelet features a six-position quick-adjust bracelet clasp. That means no tools needed to adjust this thing on the fly — if you wear bracelets with any frequency, you know how huge this is. The tapered (it tapers from 20mm from the solid end links to 16mm at the clasp) Oak & Oscar bracelet has always been one of my favorites, and probably the best at this price point — it seems to combine the best elements of a flat-link Speedmaster bracelet and an Oyster bracelet to create something that’s uniquely Oak & Oscar. The Humbolt GMT will also be offered on a leather strap.
The GMT movement is a Sellita SW330, engraved with Oak & Oscar’s signature 4 stars on the rotor to represent its hometown of Chicago. The stainless steel case has a closed caseback, engraved with the brand’s Humboldt motif. For the spec-sheet checkers, Oak & Oscar has also added an anti-shock and anti-magnetic enclosure to protect the movement.
The Humboldt GMT’s dial is all about the details. Like other Oak & Oscar dials, it’s a two-layer sandwich that’s extremely legible, featuring Super-Luminova too. There are also Oak & Oscar’s signature orange accents and custom-designed font that remain a constant through-line for the brand. See the full specs of the Humbolt GMT below.
Another perk: Each Oak & Oscar watch comes in one of the brand’s canvas watch wallets. It’s a nice touch, and something you’ll actually use (unlike those clunky and wasteful boxes).
As a Chicagoan…
Listen, this is the section of the post to let biases run wild. I love Oak & Oscar. Founder Chase Fancher and company are based in Chicago, and they’re doing our city proud. Six-plus years into the journey, Oak & Oscar doesn’t feel like a micro-brand, but a full-fledged brand that’s built a collection of serially produced and limited-edition watches that stay true to a core ethos and design language. If I had to sum up those core values, it’d be something like this: Just damn good watches from good people, assembled in Chicago. Nothing more, nothing less.
For a brand that’s less than a decade old, Oak & Oscar has somehow pulled off this wonderful trick: The design and aesthetic make it feel like it’s this piece of old-school Americana that always has been, like duck boots or a cold PBR. It’s one of the few small brands that stays remarkably true to itself, not chasing trends or hype to sell a few more watches.
Here’s another thing: Chase doesn’t refer to those who buy Oak & Oscar watches as “customers” or “clients,” but as Owners. It’s a subtle, but notable distinction. Sure, once you become an Oak & Oscar Owner you’ll get invites to owners-only events, super-limited “batch” releases, and other stuff, but more than that is the feeling you get that you’re actually a stakeholder in something special that’s being built. How many other brands can you say that about these days? Just one example of the way this manifests itself is in what Oak & Oscar is doing auctioning off a watch for charity to support Ukrainians.
Reading through the press release, it’s clear the Humboldt GMT has made a bunch of subtle tweaks to improve on the classic Oak & Oscar vibe — an improved bracelet, a new dial, anti-mag and anti-shock movement upgrades. I can’t wait to check it out in person.
Specs:
Movement: Sellita 330 automatic with anti-mag and anti-shock protection
Power reserve: 56 hours
Dimensions: 39.5mm (40mm bezel); 20mm lug width; 46.8mm lug-to-lug; 12.5mm thickness
Water resistance: 20 ATM (200m)
Dial: White, navy, or black
Double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Color-matched date wheel with custom typeface at 6 o’clock
Nylon strap with orange stitching and matching hardware
Sandwich dial with Super-LumiNova
Price: $2,125 on bracelet, limited-time launch price of $1,985 ($1,925 on leather strap, limited-time launch price $1,825)
Disclosure: I’m a Chicagoan and I’ve bought a couple Oak & Oscars, so there might be some bias in this post.
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