Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT & Brand Review

Well Cruchers, the time has finally come for me to make a decent post again. I’m coming up on one year since my purchase of the Humboldt GMT in white from Oak & Oscar, and I recently had the privilege to visit their HQ to meet the team. With all these thoughts and memories on my mind, I wanted to take a few minutes of your time to gush about a watch that has quickly become a staple in my rotation. For those that don’t know, Oak & Oscar was started by a guy with a dream named Chase who had a passion for mechanical watches and the determination to make his own. Chase also happens to be both a bourbon and dog guy hence the name of his brand. His story and company quickly drew me in when I heard about him, and then I started to do my research prior to making a purchase. Like Chase, I have a passion for watches, bourbon, and especially dogs so the personal connection was easily established. I also have a big passion for true craftsmanship, attention to detail, and customer service. Shortly after getting into the brand, the Humboldt GMT was launched and boy oh boy was I hooked! White dial, unique orange second hand, sandwich lume, micro adjust clasp, the list goes on and on… However, the big standout to me was the fact that a brand as small as O&O made a watch that was anti-magnetic! This may not be a big deal to all, but to me, I work in an industry around magnets constantly. I also wasn’t in a position to buy from most brands who had anti-magnetic watches. I continued to research the watch, and even got on a Zoom call with the team to discuss dial color choice, bracelet sizing for my annoyingly large wrist, and potential strap options that would work for me. From the first email I sent, to the video call, and follow up after our chat, I was being treated like an owner of an O&O timepiece before hitting purchase. It felt great to truly be heard as an enthusiast, and only made the buying experience that much more memorable for me. Fast forward a week and I hit purchase with so much excitement. The watch came to me in beautiful and well done packaging. It comes wrapped in a lovely handmade watch wallet complete with a complimentary nato strap, strap changing tool/screw driver, branded stickers, a patch, operating instructions, serial number card, and even a recipe for a bourbon based cocktail! The watch fit my wrist like a glove out of the box, had more than enough room for my large wrist, and the handwritten note from Chase inside was a personal touch that went a long way for me. Getting into my wearing experience, I want to say that I really had to look hard for faults here. You can tell that the watches coming out of Oak & Oscar are designed by enthusiasts and for enthusiasts. The construction is top notch for the price point, and the design language is sleek and unapologetic. From the customized date wheel, special font of the numerals on the dial, and the sandwiched lume disc underneath allowing for a very unique glow through the dial, this watch is a subtle stunner. It’s most definitely a tool watch through and through, but it is elegant and charming while being tough and reliable. It’s right in my sweet spot size wise, and the overhang of the bezel is superb for grip. The movement inside runs spectacularly gaining only a few seconds a day. For the pitfalls, the only real issue I’ve had thus far would be narrowing down the bracelet sizing. In the beginning I took one link out which was fine, but I lost come capability in the quick adjust clasp, then I put the link back and decided to wear it a bit looser, and finally I landed on removing the half link between the end of the bracelet and the clasp. The size is perfect, but removing this half link creates a bit of an odd angle where the link articulates and adds a non-seamless transition from clasp to bracelet. It’s hardly noticeable, and again, I’m nitpicking, but I wanted y’all to be aware. I’m also a lume-a-holic, and while the lume on this watch is great, it could stand to be brighter/last longer. Other than that, I have no other wants or desires here. It’s a total strap monster when you decide to deviate from the bracelet, but the bracelet is so damn good it’s hard to take it off. In conclusion, I’m so thankful I took the jump to buy a second micro brand to work alongside my Monta’s in my collection. Oak & Oscar really have a great thing going in the market right now, and for the true enthusiasts out there, this brand is hard to beat. They really make you feel a part of the design process of their pieces, feel loved for being an owner, and continue to make original designs in their own ways. I’m proud to be an owner, and I can’t wait for my next watch. Chase and his team have made a customer out of me for life! I highly recommend reaching out to them and getting one for yourself. You surely won’t be disappointed. Thanks to all who have read this far and feel free to ask questions! Cheers!