The Garrick S4 Ice Blue with The Limited Edition

Some things are just meant to be, such as this new collaboration between two UK-based watch business, each forging its own unique path through the current zeitgeist of independent watches. In the blue corner, Norfolk-based watchmaker Garrick and in the red corner, independent watches specialist The Limited Edition…

Garrick was founded by David Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr and is dedicated to producing fine British timepieces in its own dedicated facility in Norfolk. Be sure, this is no mass-production facility though, as the independent brand delivers approximately 50 pieces per year. As much of the watch as possible, is made entirely by hand in the brand’s Norfolk headquarters including hands, stunning dials and many of the movement components. Having produced a number of lines, in 2018 Garrick introduced the S1, followed by the S2 in 2019 and the S3 in 2020. 2021 saw the ‘S’ series take a new direction, placing the S4 as the brand’s entry level model and it’s this watch that is the subject of The Limited Edition collaboration.

Garrick S4 Ice Blue

The Limited Edition (TLE) was founded in 2015 to offer the independent watch collecting community, high quality and small-run independent watches. Under the watchful eye of industry veteran and GPHG Academy Member Pietro Tomajer, The Limited Edition (TLE) curates a selection of watches from both established independent brands as well as championing new and emerging talent, in partnership with the AHCI.

This ten piece edition of the S4 has been given the name Ice Blue thanks to the delightful English-style guilloché dial in the eye-catching vibrant blue after which this model is named. The S4 dials are made entirely by hand and cut to size by hand at the Garrick headquarters. The sub seconds and chapter ring are applied, again by hand, and the laser engraved Roman numerals are painstakingly filled by hand with ink – in this case the same blue hue as the guilloche sections.

Garrick S4 Ice Blue

On of the house signatures at the brand is the Garrick Maritime hour and minute hands with anchor-formed counterweights that are powerful and contrast, at least to my eye, nicely with the slight form of the small seconds hand. The dial is fitted to the calibre BF03 movement, based on the work horse Unitas 6498. Garrick has done some significant upgrades to the movement, including an in-house three quarter plate and an engraved plate covers the barrel and winding mechanism, and a screw-calibrated balance replaces the original giving the original calibre a complete makeover. This hard work can be admired through a sapphire exhibition case back.

Garrick S4 Ice Blue

The S4 has a case made from 904L steel. Where most brands use the absolutely up-to-the-task 316L steel, 904L is a much more resisnat to corrosion and higher surface hardness. This makes it significantly more robust than steel, but also makes it much harder to work with. The other brand that uses 904L steel is Rolex, which makes significantly more than 50 pieces a year! The 42mm case size is not small, but its slim 9mm profile would, one imagines, allow it to sit nicely on the wrist without being to obstructive. The package is completed by a black leather strap fitted with a steel pin buckle.

Be warned, an edition of ten won’t hang around long and the price point of under six thousand quid makes it equally accessible and desirable!

Garrick S4 Ice Blue

Tech Spec

Model: Garrick S4 Ice Blue
Movement: Hand-wound calibre BF03 (modified 6498) with engraved barrel and crown wheel cover
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 42mm 904L stainless steel with sapphire exhibition case back
Dial: Hand frosted with guilloché Ice Blue with applied rhodiumised Breguet-style chapter ring with ink-filled roman numerals
Strap: Sustainable grey Alcantara ( with additional blue Alcantara) and steel buckle
Price: Limited non-numbered production of ten pieces. £5,829 excl. taxes

return-to-top__image
Back to Top