Product Review: Original Grain Watches | The Brewmaster Collection

Those who have brewed know that time is an essential element to the process. Brewers must keep a tight schedule, and thus, must be aware of time at all times. 

The folks at Original Grain Watches (OG!) put two and two together and made a set of watches specifically designed with brewers in mind: The Brewmaster Collection. 

What makes these timepieces expressly beer-related? Every watch is made with wood from authentic reclaimed wooden barrels, using a "tempered carbonization process that extracts the utmost individuality from every ale-soaked artifact," according to Original Grain. In other words, they use heat from a flame to bring out the character of the wood, and accentuate the grain. Since these barrels once held alcohol, the wood in question is oak.

We were able to test out The Barrel, a top-selling model which comes in a 47 millimeter and 42mm face size, made with German oak. Specifically, we tried the 47mm. 

Form

The Barrel comes packaged in an attractive wooden box which can be used for storage and transportation, letting you know this is product of distinction.

The watch is big, bold and beautiful, with the lighter, caramel shade of wood acting as an attractive contrast to the stainless steel case and links. Its appearance allows it to function in both formal and casual settings, just as functional for a beer dinner as it would be during brew day. The watch face itself displays both time and date, with hour, minute and second hands. Even if you completely lose track of time during a festival, Original Grain has got your back.

Function

No complaints here. The Barrel is sturdy and keeps time accurately by way of Japanese quartz movement. 316L stainless steel casing and scratch-resistant mineral crystal glass over the face allow it to take a bit of punishment, and in case you ever find yourself in a fermenter, it's water resistant up to 10 atmospheres. So while you would not be encouraged to take this watch into the ocean depths, it should survive a spilled pint.

Original Grain kindly sent us a watch sizing tool as well. I used it to size the watch to the best of my ability, and it sits comfortably on my wrist. Not too loose or too tight, and the clasp is sturdy and easy to attach and detach. I'd recommend the 42mm size to the less stoutly built among us – the 47mm face runs the risk of dwarfing a slender wrist.

Value

The Brewmaster series retails for $219 - $349 online at OriginalGrain.com and in select stores. This is a luxury item, but the price is reflected in its quality craftmanship, and an Original Grain watch would undoubtedly make a great gift for the brewer, beer enthusiast or simply one who appreciates an attractive timepiece.

The Original Grain Watch Co. is a specialty maker, which assures you the price and quality will be higher than your average piece. They focus on bold looks and contrasts such as The Barrel's wood and steel, along with authenticity and a good story. You can also rest assured this is a company with a soul – since 2015 it has partnered with Trees for the Future to foster sustainability around the world. From what I gather, Original Grain's partnership means that every watch sold helps plant 10 trees, which in turn provide food and jobs to those in need.

Overall, if you're consistently okay with purchasing $15 dollar 4-packs or bombers, then this watch will be worth every penny. It's well-built, handsome, the company gives back and The Brewmaster Collection makes for an excellent talking point – a sure way to carry on a conversation beginning with "Nice watch!"

Photos Courtesy Original Grain