Original Grain Review: Wooden Watches With A Story
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Started by the Ryan and Andrew Beltran on Kickstarter back in 2013, Original Grain had an idea that was an instant hit. Blend stainless steel and reclaimed wood in original watch designs.
The result is a watch company that was quickly standing on its own two feet creating watches that are loved the world around.
Not only do they use stunning materials such as 316L steel and exotic hardwood in every watch, that wood also has a backstory because it has a former life.
For example, some of their watches feature wood from Kentucky Bourbon barrels, while others use Yankee Stadium seats. All the wood is sustainably sourced and back by the Forest Stewardship Council.
And the best part is, although they are uniquely crafted watches, they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Most go for just a few hundred bucks, depending on the complexity of the watch of course.
Below is a selection of their watches and a lot more detail – the good, the bad and the ugly!
Men's Original Grain Classic
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The Original Grain Classic is named that for a reason. It has all the makings of a classic watch.
Original Grain’s famous sustainable and unique wood is front and center as the main part of the face, as well as interwoven in the watch bezel and centre links on the watch band. The colors they managed to get in wood is astonishing. It almost looks fake. But it’s not. It’s stunning!
All the Classic models feature a simple dial with Roman numerals and matching hands that complement the case and band. At 3 o’clock you will also see a subtle date window to help you keep track of what day it is. That is then covered by a nicely domed mineral crystal that is scratch-resistant.
They have also used a very modern matt stainless steel that seamlessly matches the wood they have chosen. This is also used for the band, which has a custom fold-over clasp and double push button safety to ensure your watch never falls off at a bad time.
Inside is a Japanese Miyota Quartz that does not require winding, so you can relax and get on with looking the part.
- Sustainably sourced wood and stainless steel
- High quality mineral crystal glass
- Japanese Miyota Quartz Movement
- 50m (165ft) water resistance (can get wet)
- 43 x 12mm case
Men's Original Grain Minimalist
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Not everyone wants a watch face and bracelet that is so busy, and that is where the Minimalist comes in. It takes the best of Original Grain’s unique natural wood features and blends them with a more simple style dress watch.
The dial of these watches has simple rectangular hour markers, a minute train around the edge and an hour and minute hand (no second hand). Minimalist for sure, a little like Bauhaus. There are quite a few options in terms of dial material with the plain white, sunburst black and wood-grained being just a few.
Instead of the combination wood and steel bracelet on the classic, this version has a simple matching leather strap that is more inline with a minimilistic dress watch like this.
Here are the specs for these Original Grain watches:
- Sustainable wood and stainless steel
- High quality mineral crystal glass
- Japanese Quartz Movement
- 50m (165ft) water resistance (can get wet)
- 40 x 6mm case
Men's Original Grain Barrel
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Very similar to the classic above but with Arabic numerals instead of Roman, the Barrel also features American Oak re-used from old bourbon whiskey barrels in Kentucky.
Now that is a unique piece of history to have in your wood watch. Alternatively, other models in this range use unique Koa wood from Hawaii. Check the specifics on the model you like the look of to be sure.
Here are the specs for these Original Grain watches:
- Sustainable wood and stainless steel
- High quality mineral crystal glass
- Japanese Quartz Movement
- 50m (165ft) water resistance (can get wet)
- 42 or 47 x 6mm case (different sizes available)
Original Grain Watch Quality
I think the first part of the watch to consider is the wood. Original Grain go out of their way to source sustainable wood from all over the world that is often re-used (like their Whiskey and Beer barrels). So, we know that the wood is going to be top-notch.
The wood pieces for many of the parts are then hand cut using lathes and other old-fashioned machinery. The smaller parts for the watch band are laser cut (of course :>). You can see how it is all done in the video below.
The internal movement is created by one of the best in Japan, Miyota, who have been making such things for decades.
And then, to top it all off, there is of course a 1 year warranty should anything go wrong. Because, let’s face it, with any manmade product, nothing is perfect :>
