Garrick Introduce S2 Deadbeat Seconds Watch with Novel Seconds Display

One of the most intriguing complications in all of watchmaking is deadbeat seconds. As opposed to the more common sweep seconds, which translates the mechanical working of the watch into a constant motion for the seconds hand, deadbeat seconds features a stop-start motion typically associated with quartz movements. Counterintuitively, making a mechanical watch have the motion of a cheaper quartz watch is actually a more impressive technical feat than the constant sweep. So, it’s not surprising that the UK’s premier haute horology brand Garrick have released their own deadbeat seconds watch in the form of the new Garrick S2 Deadbeat Seconds.

You might be asking yourself why you’d want a high-end luxury watch to have the motion of a cheaper one? After all you’ve paid the extra money to have a mechanical movement and that characteristic sweep that most mechanical movements have. Well, the most famous deadbeat seconds watch, the Rolex Tru-Beat, reveals the reason – it’s produced for doctors. The one tick per second nature of a deadbeat seconds hand makes it easier for a doctor to calculate a patient’s pulse rate.

In theory the Garrick S2 Deadbeat Seconds could function perfectly well in the same tool watch niche with its 42mm stainless steel case and understated MK2 dial (the first of two dial variants) featuring grained finish and slim chapter ring. Although the open heart balance spring at 6 o’clock (unequivocally proving the watch is mechanical not quartz despite the deadbeat seconds) isn’t exactly understated itself. Nor is the large onion crown.

Plus, this restrained aesthetic in cool greys is only one of many, many variations that the Garrick S2 Deadbeat Seconds is available in. As all Garrick watches are made to order, the amount of customisations possible are near limitless depending on your agreement with the watchmaker. Instead of leaning towards a tool watch vibe as much as possible, you could do the exact opposite and go for a gold case with intricate MK1 guilloché dial produced using traditional engine turning.

Powering the piece is the in-house Calibre DB-GO6, a manual movement with a 45-hour power reserve. The highlights are clearly the Trinity free-sprung balance spring, visible from the dial-side and the new central deadbeat seconds function. On an intriguing technical level, the rim of the movement’s balance wheel and balance bridge are made from a high-tech material called Sircumet, a copper based alloy noted for being antimagnetic and having good hardness without needing to be heat treated. There’s also plenty more to be admired through the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback as it can be finished with frosted gold, black gold or rhodium plated bridges with mirror polished, engraved or hand bevelled cocks.

In a lot of ways this watch is bread and butter for Garrick, classy with multiple style and aesthetic options that invite customisation from the collector while also having a technical and horological hook that gets you interested. In this case the deadbeats seconds complication. As with all Garrick watches, if you want one, you’ll have to jump on the waiting list as they only produce 70 watches per year and 2024 is already full.

More details at Garrick.

​Oracle Time 

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