From the beginning man has been obsessed with time and the need to accurately keep records of it. From the simple stone sundials of ancient Egypt, to the eventual wristwatch created in Europe, the evolution of the watch has come in many curious designs, with each being a reflection of the era of their creation.
And then the Swiss came along. When a nation as a whole decides to be the symbol of neutrality, ignoring the spoils or calling of war, what else is their to do than pursue the perfection of time? With this, the luxury wristwatch came to be. From the legendary Submariner by the ever present Rolex, to the air traveled Nevitimer made by Breitling, the Swiss watch is the culmination of centuries of build tradition. Using the finest of metals and carefully selected components has resulted in the most paramount, long lasting timepieces. Luxury in its truest form indeed.
But what happens when you take said tradition, composition and craftsmanship, and you replace stainless steel, diamond and gold with the most natural building component of all?
Jord, which literally means earth in Swedish, represents a collection of artists, designers and watchsmiths whose desire to produce, dare a say, a living timepiece, led to a collection whose main feature is wood. And what can be more natural than that? Something that lives, breaths and grows all around us, now carefully crafted as an instrument to tell time that adorns the wrist.
A new fashion direction?
I recently surprised my wife with a Tourneu watch, her first Swiss timepiece, which she absolutely loves. Yet when she shared a few details on Jord and its collection of wood watches, I felt a bit of curiosity brewing. A quick glance at the images on their website had my firm attention, especially with the fact that she was offered the chance to review a member of its collection. I took a shot at the wall and had her see if they would allow me to actually review the Jord, while she took charge of all the product photography. I was surprised and pleased that they had agreed with her request.
My excitement grew with each passing day, as I anxiously waited for the arrival of the Jord Fieldcrest model I had selected (in Black). I finally got the text from her that the package had arrived and once I finally made my way home, I took a moment to admire the case of the Jord.
One of a kind presentation
Fittingly, the watch is enclosed in a wooden case, proudly displaying the Jord emblem on the top lid, which slides out with an ever so natural sound. The Fieldcrest came wrapped around the softest, tiniest brown pillow you have ever seen.
After removing the watch, I was astonished by how lightweight it was. It literally feels like you are grabbing something so airy, like a large leaf for example, that you could see was being physically held in your hand, but only because your eyes confirmed that it was there.
And there in lies the beauty of the Jord Fieldcrest. It wraps super comfortably around the wrist, never feeling too tight or loose on the skin, literally disappearing from your mind’s existence as you walk throughout your day. It’s never there, until you realize that you do not have to take your smartphone out to actually know what time it is. You can just glance at your wrist, revealing the Fieldcrest’s presence once more.
Jord has succeeded in creating a very handsome wristwatch. Its wood components were carved with a very methodical approach, smooth to the touch, with each contour complementing the one that came before it. In Black, the Fieldcrest has a vey deep, natural brown hue, similar to the Ash Burl wood found in the equally luxurious Lexus LS460. A wooden watch that never ceases to impress, clearly exceeding its $120 price tag in presentation alone.
Beautiful and noteworthy components
The case itself, with a circumference of 39mm, conceals a Citizen Miyota Quartz Movement from Japan, which is normally found in more expensive Citizen and Bulova wristwatches. The back of the case is adorned with letters that proudly display its 100% natural wood construction, along with the Jord emblem, in addition to letting the world know that the original idea was born in St Louis.
And then there’s the face of the watch itself. I simply can’t get over how elegant of a design the Fieldcrest exhibits. Every moment you glance for the time you are greeted by traditional hands and hour markings, with a wood background as if you are staring directly into the bark of a tree. Literally.
Somehow the crew at Jord managed to create a face that allows us to see the most intimate details of a tree, normally reserved for the eyes of wildlife that reside in it, like a Great Horned Owl. A watch that would even make Noah proud. Well, that is if the big guy was into making clocks as opposed to building a big boat for a bunch of animals.
The ultimate compliment for the Fieldcrest came from one of my fellow coworkers, Michael, who can be seen daily wearing a gold Rolex watch. Mike can be described as a man who appreciates class, tradition, ever eager to recommend one of the best restaurants in New York City. I arrived to work an early morning, watch case in hand, and detoured to his office on my way to my desk. I was curious to know how a man use to some of the finer things in life would react when seeing the Jord Fieldcrest for the first time.
I found Michael sitting at his desk, very relaxed, probably contemplating if he should go with the Piccini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG or the Quinta do Sagrado Red Blend for the night’s steak dinner. I walked slowly into his office, without the faintest greeting and revealed the wooden box in my hand. I could see that his eyes were full of curiosity, which turned to an almost enchanting stare when I revealed what was inside. “Is that a wooden watch?”, he asked. I nodded in confirmation. He pulled the watch out of its case, amazed by its lightness, and held it next to his Rolex. “I want one. I don’t care how much it costs!”
A timepiece you can call your own
The Jord Fieldcrest fits right at home with your casual set of jeans and V-neck shirt or a nice photographer suit and Fedora. It has a very unique, truly universal appeal, that stands out from the myriad of silver and gold that has come to define the wristwatch.
For years, I’ve had a secret desire to own a fine, luxurious Swiss timepiece to call my own. Something not only a sign of my own success, perhaps, but a simple, yet classic addition to contrast with my more techie lifestyle. Yet it’s the Fieldcrest by Jord that has taken that particular honor. A place that is very well-deserved.
With Father’s Day just around the corner, a wooden watch would be a very unique and special gift for any Dad around the world. Along with the Fieldcrest series, the Jord features other styles to fit your desired taste, like the Dover, whose exposed face allow your eyes to be privy of the many tiny gears that comprise its automatic timepiece, covered by a Sapphire crystal display. Or the women’s Cora, which in Koa and Rose Gold, truly accentuates the beauty of every woman, complemented by its hour markers made of Swarovski Crystals.
The entire collection is worthy of your eyes and can be seen at woodwatches.com
I assure you that while my wife told me this was to be short review, the Fieldcrest is worth every single word. In the most cliché of words, “ it truly has to be seen to be believed.”