In December 2021, aBlogtoWatch debuted the brand new 38mm-wide model of the favored Timex Giorgio Galli S1 watch. It was long-known that Timex meant to launch a smaller model of the unique Timex Giorgio Galli S1 watch (aBlogtoWatch debut right here), however manufacturing delays pushed its launch to greater than two years after the 2019 market debut of the unique 40mm-wide mannequin. At the moment, I lastly get to go hands-on with the Timex Giorgio Galli S1 38 and wish to share it with you.
There may be quite a lot of backstory to this watch, and in March of 2021, I did an interview with Mr. Giorgio Galli right here to debate the S1 timepiece household. I actually encourage folks critical about these watches to be taught extra about their story, however let me provide the abstract model. Giorgio Galli is a design chief for Timex primarily based with the model’s Italian crew in Milan. He spends most of his time designing Timex and licensed manufacturers (corresponding to Salvatore Ferragamo and Versace), however the S1 was a ardour mission for him that blended his curiosity in trendy design, classic watches, and modern cityscapes. That is the primary product household that bears Giorgio’s title, and it additionally represents a barely greater than common worth level for Timex at $450 USD.
What’s new in regards to the Giorgio Galli S1 38 watches? Just a few issues. First is the smaller case dimension choice at 38mm-wide. The unique S1’s metal case is 40mm-wide and to attraction to extra audiences, Galli felt {that a} 38mm-wide model would additionally make sense. Whereas 38mm is commonly too small for my tastes, it’s a particularly fashionable choice in lots of components of the world and for a lot of various kinds of wearers (together with ladies). The case is kind of the identical form as the unique S1, utilizing an advanced set of ending and detailing inside a really traditional general profile. A trick for the watch is that the case makes use of not a conventional milling course of to form however fairly a flowery injection-molded course of that, when mixed with post-production ending and sharpening, yields this incredible consequence. What which means for shoppers is that they get a extra difficult case than would usually be out there at this worth level.
The attention-grabbing strains and skeletonized sections of the case make for a stunning body to view the Japanese Miyota caliber 9039 4Hz, two-day energy reserve computerized motion inside, with a customized S1 mannequin rotor. That’s certainly one of Miyota’s newest actions designed to compete with Swiss Made calibers such because the ETA 2824 — which, once more, wouldn’t be out there in a watch at this reasonably priced worth level.
Talking of mechanical motion, I really feel obliged to state once more that I needed wearers of this watch to consider its mechanical nature once I suggested Mr. Galli a couple of years in the past that it will be cool to put a pink ruby palette on the S1 dial over the 6 o’clock hour marker. Whereas there for model solely, I felt that it will be an exquisite psychological reminder that this can be a mechanical watch and “not your unusual Timex.” Galli agreed, and that’s the reason for the pink ruby on the dial. I’m so glad it labored out properly, and I really feel that this design aesthetic actually helps develop the wealthy persona that the S1 watches have.
The 38mm-wide model of the Giorgio Galli S1 watch has a barely completely different dial than the unique S1 40 fashions. Along with some new shade selections, such because the pictured blue, in addition to an olive inexperienced and enticing shade of grey in metallic sunray, the hour markers and palms are barely up to date on the S1 38. How are they completely different? The modifications are very refined, to make certain, however the thought is to make the S1 38 really feel a bit extra vintage-inspired. Maybe that is due to the smaller case dimension, however whenever you examine the S1 38 and the S1 40, you may clearly see that one is attempting to be a bit extra trendy and one is attempting to be a bit extra retro. I like them each, however I additionally predict that most individuals will typically just like the S1 38 dial extra, even when they like the 40mm-wide case attributable to sporting preferences.
Over the dial is a sapphire crystal, and the circumstances are waterproof to 50 meters. Within the crown is a flat black-colored cabochon that may be a stylish, trendy contact. The S1 38, just like the S1 40, has the timepiece’s wonderful strap system that feels much like the fabric of the Apple Watch sport band. Timex calls it a “smooth artificial rubber,” and it’s far superior to silicone straps. The strap seems to be normal, however the finish half has a small button that clips into the ditch operating down the center of the strap. This open hole is just not solely stylized to appear to be the skeletonized motion but additionally ensures that the strap finish by no means protrudes unattractively. That is the sensible clothier aspect of Mr. Galli popping out, and we must always all thank him for this genuine innovation.
The straps include quick-release ends, and Timex sells extra colours for $75 every. The excellent news is that the 20mm-wide lugs are in any other case normal, which signifies that S1 wearers can customise their watches with some other straps that come to thoughts. The Timex straps are cool sufficient that I’d encourage others to attempt them out on different watches with suitable 20mm-wide lugs. (I imagine each the Giorgio Galli S1 38 and 40 watches use 20mm-wide straps.)
Presently, the Timex Giorgio Galli S1 38 and 40 watches are nonetheless a bit arduous to get. They aren’t restricted editions however are produced in comparatively small batches and the Timex web site is up to date occasionally. On the time of this writing, all the S1 38 watches have been bought out with an choice to affix a waitlist. The one piece in the stores was the silver-dialed model of the S1 40 that was out of inventory for a very long time. The excellent news is that Timex appears comfortable to maintain producing S1 watches as long as there may be demand. Your entire idea is a little bit of an experiment (worth, design, and completely direct-to-consumer gross sales mannequin) for the bigger watchmaking group. Thus far, it has confirmed to achieve success. Value for all variations of the Timex Giorgio Galli S1, together with the S1 38 watch, is $450 USD. Study extra on the Timex web site right here.
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