Latest Review
January 8, 2026 
For this Enthusiast Spotlight, proudly sponsored by the Windup Watch Shop, we sit down with professional guitarist Kurt Ozan, a musician whose life on the road is defined by precision, rhythm, and feel. Best known for his work alongside Luke Combs, Kurt brings the same intentionality to his watches as he does to his instruments, favoring pieces that earn their place through use, memory, and personal meaning. Kurt is also a watch enthusiast and a bit of an Oris collector. From stadium stages to quieter moments creating new tunes in the studio, Kurt’s relationship with time is shaped by craft, connection, and the stories carried on the wrist.
First things first, tell us a little about yourself. Who are you, where are you from, and what do you do?
My name is Kurt Ozan. I’m from South Florida, Cooper City. I’m a musician, and I tour with Luke Combs. I play in Luke’s band, and I also play with other artists as well. My main instrument is guitar. On stage with Luke, I play guitar, Dobro, pedal steel guitar, and even fiddle. I enjoy playing Dobro the most. In an acoustic setting, around the house, sitting around a campfire, that’s usually what I reach for.
How did you get into music? What was the first instrument that really hooked you?
When my mom was pregnant with me, she sent my dad to the hardware store to buy paint for my future bedroom. My dad has this habit of going out for one thing and coming back with something completely different. That day, he stopped at a garage sale and found a guitar—a really cool surf rock guitar called a Mosrite, made in California. He bought it for about $125 and forgot the paint entirely. He played a little guitar in college, so the guitar sat in the closet for years. When I was about ten, my mom decided to have it restored as a Christmas gift for him. While she was picking it up, she and her friend Peggy thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun if Kurt had a guitar too?” So my mom turned the car around, went back to the shop, and bought me a beginner acoustic. That was 1997—and that’s how it all started. I’d taken piano lessons when I was five, but I wasn’t obsessed with music yet. I think I might’ve even asked for a drum set that year. But the guitar stuck.
As you got older, especially in high school, was there a “dream guitar” you sought after?
I had a Strat growing up, which I loved. But I got into heavier music—Metallica, Led Zeppelin—and I wanted something with humbucker pickups, something more modern. I was also discovering pedals and trying to explain to my parents why I needed an overdrive pedal when the amp was already distorted. Then it was delay pedals, a Whammy pedal because Tom Morello used one—you know how it goes. I’m a gear head, but I like to keep things simple. I’ve never needed everything. Compared to some of my friends, I’m pretty restrained. I’m tryin’ to be more intentional with my gear choices.
Do you prefer performing live or working in the studio and when was your first “I’ve arrived” moment?
They’re totally different experiences. In the studio, you’re experimenting—trying ideas, weird tunings, collaborating, creating something from scratch. Live performance is more about execution. You’re prepared, you play your role, and occasionally you stretch out and jam. Hearing something you played on come on the radio, though—that’s a crazy feeling. I remember the first time I heard myself on the radio. That was definitely an “I’ve arrived” moment. But the coolest moment of my life so far was playing steel guitar last year on the Grammy stage with Luke and Tracy Chapman. Truly. It was surreal. She was so nice too!
From your perspective, what’s interesting about the Nashville music scene right now?
Country music is bigger than it’s ever been, and social media has really splintered the genre. It used to be all about radio. Now there are so many entry points—Spotify, social media, playlists. It’s a great time to be a fan. There’s a lane for everyone. You’ve got artists like HARDY if you’re into harder stuff, Zach Top for traditional vibes, Billy Strings crossing into new territory—it’s endless. You just have to do a little homework and you’ll find a country sound for you.
You mentioned earlier that you like to keep collections intentional. Can you share a few meaningful pieces—whether instruments or watches?
I was gifted a Telecaster from my parents when I graduated college in 2009. I repainted it pink, and it’s been my favorite guitar for a long time. I also have a Dobro that made it all the way around the world with me—until it didn’t. An airline lost it after a month-long tour through the UK and Australia. They reimbursed me, and I ended up with an even nicer one, but it still hurt losing the guitar I learned on. As far as watches go, my grandfather’s Seiko means a lot to me. I remember holding it as a kid, thinking it must be something incredibly valuable. It’s priceless to me now. I also have a Rolex Submariner that Luke Combs gifted everyone in the band—it has my name engraved on the back. It’s like a decoder ring for everyone who’s been on this experience together with Luke.
There’s definitely a theme of analog objects here.
Totally. I even shoot film photography. My uncle gave me his Mamiya 645. Using the waist-level finder really slows you down. It’s refreshing compared to being on your phone all the time.
So for this photoshoot by fellow Nashvillian, Kat Shoulders, you had on the 2025 Oris ProPilot Date. Can you give us your first impressions of what it was like wearing the watch for the shoot?
It is beautiful. I’m not exactly sure what the dial color is, almost like a mossy green, but it really stood out in person. The fit was great, not too big or too small, super comfortable, very easy-to-read, and the micro-adjust on the bracelet made it simple to size it in perfectly. Kat’s pictures are great and it photographs really well, but it looks even better on the wrist.
Do you feel like there are any parallels to guitars or instruments and watches?
When I play my Dobro or when I play my Tele, it’s not always the perfect tool for the song, but they’ve been with me for so long. I think there’s something about them just feeling like home, in a way, that makes them the right go-to for that particular song. The same is true for certain watches in my collection. I have a bronze Oris Pointer Date with a white dial that I specifically love wearing on stage. It’s just become my go-to in that situation.
At Worn & Wound, we often talk about watches as memory holders. Do you have a watch tied to a specific moment?
I have an Oris Aquis from the Billion Oyster Project event in New York. The night before the event, Oris hosted a family-style dinner and surprised us with the watches. We ended up staying up late, playing songs. My girlfriend Caylee Hammack was there along with Rolf Studer and VJ Geronimo from Oris. We were all hanging out. We just had the best time ever staying up too late and just singing songs. Never thought the CEO of a Swiss watch brand would be really into Dwight Yoakam and stuff like that, but we were howling at the moon that night, for sure. They gifted me one of the Aquis New York Harbor Limited Editions and the watch will always remind me of that night. It’s got an aqua blue dial and I’ve got it on this orange strap, which is kind of crazy. But I just really like the Miami Dolphins, so I thought… I gotta do it.
Do you see parallels between watches and instruments?
Absolutely. It’s about finding the right tool for the job. Whether it’s a guitar in the studio or a watch with an outfit, when it clicks, your whole day feels more in tune. There’s also something about familiarity. Some instruments—or watches—just feel like home once you’ve lived with them long enough.
Before we wrap up—what’s coming up for you?
You can check out my podcast called Raised Rowdy. We do artist interviews in the country music space. You know, it’s like if an artist comes in and is releasing new music, we ask them all about it, about their lives and what’s going on. Sometimes it’s heartfelt, sometimes it’s silly, and you never really know, but it’s just getting to shine a light on some of our favorite music in town. Then Luke has a new album coming out, and I’m really proud to have played on it. Next year we’ve got a big stadium tour planned, including 360-degree shows with the stage right in the center of each stadium. I’m also excited to play in countries I’ve never been to—Spain especially. As for watches, I’ve got my eye on a few things. You never know.
