It has been a long time since I last reviewed something from Memphis, Tennessee’s Origin Watch Co., and I remember it fondly. It was a gray-dial Second Edition Field Watch on a lovely camel-colored strap, and a co-worker who had already learned to ignore my various watches of the day called it “gentlemanly.” Now, 8 years later, I wondered if the Origin Railway Edition ($375-750) would hold the same appeal.
Origin’s owner and watchmaker, Dennis Shirokov, started the company with a nod to antique American pocket watches and their evolution to wrist watches. As such, he used pocket-watch-derived, hand-winding movements like the ETA 6497 and its Seagull clone, the TY3600, in clean, handsome cases fitted with classic field watch dials. Looking at the Origin catalog today, I see you can still buy an Origin Field Watch at a price that has barely budged in the past 8 years – what was $325 on Kickstarter is now $349 full price. A Type 20 aviator’s chronograph is now available, as well as the Railway Edition I have in hand today. Dennis is still assembling the watches himself. With the prospect of enjoying the same high quality at time capsule pricing, I strapped on the Railway.
Unlike the Field Watch, the Railway uses an ETA 6498 or TY3620, which places the small seconds hand at 6 o’clock rather than 9. It is otherwise identical, boasting 17 jewels, 21.6k bph, and a 40-hour power reserve. As you can see from the display case back, the movements are nicely decorated with a rhodium finish, blued screws, and Geneva stripes. They also happen to be on the large side, necessitating a 41mm-wide, 12mm-thick case.
That is a sizable watch by today’s standards, although hardly unwieldy. The alternating polished and brushed finishes help to break up the profile a bit, and the effect is more pronounced on the gold-accented version I sampled. At 48mm long, the lug-to-lug just manages to fit between my wrist bones. A 20mm strap also helps to keep the proportions in line. While the broad dial makes the watch appear larger, the contrasting gold bezel reins it back in. Overall, the Railway Watch strikes a healthy balance between the size that the style and movements demand, and the physical limits on my smallish 6.75″ wrist. I would not hesitate to wear this with a coat and tie, and those with slightly larger wrists probably won’t even think twice.
The Railway’s dial is exactly what you might expect from a vintage Waltham or Elgin. It features large numbers in a period-correct serif typeface, a railroad-track index, blued cathedral hands, and a wide, very legible small seconds for the pinpoint accuracy the railway industry required. The brand and model names are rendered similarly, as is the diminutive “Designed in Memphis, Tennessee” tucked at the very bottom of the dial. The only thing that shouts on this face is the red 12. It’s an absolutely classic look.
Unlike an actual antique railway watch, the Origin features modern materials that will better handle the rigors of use. Both crystals are sapphire, and the front is domed and AR-coated. The 8mm push-pull crown is sufficiently sealed for 50m water resistance. True, those are hardly tool-watch specs, but the Railway Edition is made for a gentler life, and it is more than adequately prepared for daily use.
My sample arrived on a caramel-colored, crocodile print, calfskin strap. It featured curved ends for a better fit against the case, and it tapers from 20mm to 18mm at the signed buckle. It is well-made, though I must confess I liked the oiled leather on the Field Watch’s strap a bit more.
Like all Origin watches, the Railway Edition ships in a simple, sturdy wooden box. I applaud this choice for its authentic brand identity, light weight, and minimal environmental impact.
Much has changed since 2018, and the watch world has not been immune. Prices have gone up as we have learned that supply chain disruptions come in many forms, none of them good. Also, tastes have changed, both as a matter of general fashion and my own personal preferences. Given that reality, I was delighted to discover that the Origin Watch Co. is like a portal to the past, in all the best ways. The Railway Edition maintains Origin’s traditional styling and quality while still delivering them at a reasonable price. You can spring for the $700 ETA version, or the budget-friendly (and still satisfying) $375 Seagull movement. Regardless of choice, you will receive a watch designed and assembled with great care.
For more information or to order an Origin of your own, visit originwatch.com.
