The Oak & Oscar Humboldt Seven Year: Like A Fine Bourbon, It Gets Better With Age

I’m sure you’ve heard by now that this weekend we will be hosting the WindUp Watch Fair in Chicago for the very first time. The Windy City is not only home to the Cubbies and Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza (local pizza aficionados sound off in the comments), but is also a breeding ground for independent watch companies. One brand among those leading the way out of Chi-Town is Oak & Oscar. They’ve come a long way since 2015, expanding their line of frequently sold out watches to the likes of the Jackson Flyback Chronograph and the Humboldt GMT. You might have even caught a glimpse of O&O on national television as the Humboldt 12-HR was front and center on the wrists of the USA Curling Team during this year’s Winter Olympics. Needless to say, there’s plenty of reasons to come check out O&O this year at Windup Chicago, but let me give you two more if you need them; one, share a glass of fine bourbon with founder Chase Fancher and two, check out the latest two tone Humboldt Seven Year.

The Humboldt Seven Year is a tasteful blend of stainless steel and golden brass that come together like the spirits in a well made cocktail. The brass bezel was specially made and hand-cut right in the O&O watch shop by their Director of Watchmaking, Nathan Bobinchak. The result is a perfectly shaped and finished bezel that fits the Humboldt case. The specific brass used throughout the Humboldt Seven Year is a special led-free alloy (693 EcoBrass) known for its mechanical strength and exceptional corrosion resistance. The brass itself comes untreated so that the watch will develop a patina that will be unique to its owner.

Like the bezel, the dial is also furnished out of brass. Each Humboldt Seven Year dial receives additional attention as they are finished by hand. The result is a radiating dial that’s akin to a golden vinyl record. The dial displays recessed hour markers with a cream tone that complement the hour and minute hands. Each recessed part of the dial plate is sharp and precise, from the markers and the segmented circle at the center, to the date window at six. That’s thanks in large part to a dial printer sourced right there in Chicago. Keeping things local, whether it’s for watch making purposes, or supporting the surrounding communities, remains a key and proud part of Oak & Oscar.

Despite the new look, the Humboldt Seven Year keeps the same Humboldt proportions; 39.5mm case and 46.8mm lug to lug. The Swiss made Sellita SW300 is responsible for keeping the Humboldt Seven Year on time. That goes for work or for happy hour and everything in between. Either way, you’re always going to have that two tone goodness on wrist to keep you on track.

As we’ve been getting closer and closer to WindUp Chicago, I’ve been spilling plenty of digital ink on one common theme; the evolution of these independent brands and the microbrand space overall. There hasn’t been a time where your choices for thoughtfully designed watches at affordable prices has been this plentiful. This weekend will be a first for some brands (and for us to represent Worn & Wound in the Midwest). For others, yet another show to notch on the old WindUp Watch Fair belt. In Oak & Oscar’s case this one might mean a bit more, as it’s a cause to celebrate seven years of independent watchmaking.

The Humboldt Seven Year will exclusively be available in person at the Oak & Oscar booth this weekend at WindUp Chicago. The Humboldt Seven Year is limited to just 10 pieces to celebrate this momentous occasion and is priced at $2,500. Oak & Oscar