Emmanuel Dietrich, a French-born, École Boulle design school graduate, with 20 years of experience in product design launched his eponymous watch company, just a few years ago. Starting with the OT-1 collection, which is short for “Organic Time,” followed by the OT-2 and OT-3 variants.
All of the Organic Time watches have the same case dimensions, movement, and dial. This is clearly a mono watch business model, which focuses on multiple variations of the same watch. However, it is worth noting that while other companies, such as SevenFriday, are using a similar business model, the Dietrich watches are, arguably, much more interesting.
From the unique design of the case and lugs to the signature star-shaped wheel which continuously rotates every 60-seconds, to the 24-hour indication, to the open dial design that offers a view of the escapement on the dial side, to the use of forged carbon bezels on some the latest models – Dietrich has distinguished his watch line from the crowd.
Sure, Dietrich watches are powered by a modified version of the same Miyota 82-S-7 movement used by SevenFriday, but the execution is everything, and in my opinion, Dietrich watches make a compelling statement on the wrist, whereas I would not be caught dead wearing a SevenFriday watch.
When I first saw a Dietrich OT-1 during Baselworld 2015, I only had a few minutes with the watch, but I did get a sense that the watch was much more expensive than it is. It reminded me of an Urwerk or Richard Mille. With that said, I instantly knew from the movement finishing, that it was not in the same league. Still, if you are trying to add something eye-catching to your wrist, for under two grand, then look no further.
The latest Dietrich model is the Organic Time 1 Carbon Luminescent, which most notably comes with a forged carbon bezel that is mixed with luminescent resin. This is something that is surely a first in watchmaking, and which you can see illuminated in the embedded Instagram post below. Everything else is virtually the same as on previous models.
The case is steel with a PVD coating, measuring 46 mm x 13.7 mm. The total weight is 128 grams with the strap attached. It is shown with a Karung snakeskin strap with green contrast stitching and PVD steel buckle. The crown is a push-in design, with double O-rings, and a water-resistance of 50 meters. The bezel is secured by black PVD coated steel hex screws.
The retail price is $1950.
