The 1858 Has Sold Out! The 1858 is the first mechanical watch from the Oberlin Watch Company. The 1858 (Underground) Railroad Watch draws on three important themes: The Underground Railroad and Oberlin's importance as a depot near the jumping off point to Canada, and freedom. For this reason we named this piece the 1858 (Underground) Railroad Watch in celebration and commemoration of the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue. Before we came along, there was never an Oberlin Watch Company. BUT...there was an Oberlin Pharmaceutical Company based in France. They created a series of pocket watches equipped with a stop-watch (Chronograph) function. These were given as promotional gifts to doctors and pharmacists. We wanted to pay homage to this misunderstood (indirect) piece of our history as a watch company, and our good friend Armand Billard (Yes, that Armand Billard) was kind enough to reinterpret the original dial for a modern watch. Mechanical - We wanted to create something a little more special, and a hand-winding watch is what we really had in mind when we launched this crazy project back at the height of COVID. The hours and minutes are in a more classic orientation. This first version of the 1858 (Underground) Railroad Watch is limited to 20 pieces and is priced at $458 US. Shipping and taxes are calculated separately. The Basics: The 1858 is a hand-winding watch. It is stainless steel, with a solid case back to allow for personalized engraving. The movement is made by Seagull, a Chinese manufacturer. The movement is the ST-3600, which is a clone of the ETA 6497. The watches are assembled and tested in the United States. The watch comes standard with a blue and a black leather strap. The straps utilize quick spring bar attachments so they can be changed without the use of a tool using your finger and thumb! The Particulars: Case - stainless steel, 40 mm in diameter, solid case back with Oberlin engraving Movement - Seagull ST-3600 Strap - black leather with quick spring attachment, stainless steel folding clasp Warranty - 1 year
