Toc Watch of Dublin, Ireland recently launched – and fully funded – their debut model, the Toc19. The watch takes its inspiration and name from the Bauhaus school of design (est. 1919). It is a dress watch with an imposing size, classic look, and a hand winding mechanical movement. I’ve got a soft spot for old school mechanicals, so I was happy to try a prototype for a few days.
Now before we go much further, let’s get the obvious out of the way: this is a great big dress watch. Its 44mm wide, 53mm long case dwarfs my 6.5″ wrist. It is too much for me, but I recognize that I am not the only person in the world. If you have a large wrist, or just prefer wearing an oversized dress watch for a casual look, the Toc19 is an excellent choice. Here’s why.
At the heart of the Toc19 lies a SeaGull 3621, a Chinese unit based on the old Unitas 6498. As you can see through the Toc19’s exhibition case back, it is a huge movement, necessitating the broad case. It has a 21.6k bph vibration rate and an impressive 50-hour power reserve. It is also pretty easy on the eyes, displaying engraved and engine turned bridges.
The case is uncomplicated, just a simple polished cylinder and straight lugs with an angular profile. Standing just a touch over 12mm thick from case back to crystal, it cuts a surprisingly low profile for such a wide watch, allowing the Toc19 to fit neatly under most buttoned shirt cuffs. Its 3 o’clock crown is signed and proportionately large, allowing easy operation. Slim channels where the case back and bezel meet the central barrel lend some character, as does the slight dome of the sapphire crystal, but the case clearly not the star of this show. It is a clean and tasteful back drop for the dial.
Yes, the dial has all the fun. Toc shared their Carbon Black model with me. Like any proper Bauhaus watch, it has elongated numerals arranged radially inside a minute track. Polished batons handle minute and hour duties, reaching well into their markers. There is no lume, but that is to be expected on a dress watch. Generous dial proportions allow the small seconds subdial to peacefully coexist with the 6 without excessively compromising either. A needle on that sub dial provides a pop of red. Toc took an extremely conservative approach to text, placing only their stylized “9 o’clock” brand name up top and tucking “Hand Wound”* in tiny typeface at the very bottom flanking the 6. It is all very tasteful and well proportioned. So, where is the fun?
That, my friends, is reserved for some other dials. I got the stately black version, but I know, at this very moment, some lucky reviewer is no doubt galavanting all over town with the glorious Emerald Green, or frolicking with the insane Crimson Red, watching the light play off its brushed sunray dial. If you are looking for a dress watch, then the black is an excellent choice, or perhaps the Graphite Grey, Retro Cream, or Sunray Silver, but if you want to rock this thing as an eye grabbing casual conversation piece, the green and the red are the way to go.
Whichever dial suits you, you have a choice of five leather straps to pair with it: smooth tan, red, or black; or black or red brown crocodile print. All are 22mm wide, tapering to a 20mm signed buckle. They are lightly padded and nicely constructed for a trim, tailored look.
The Toc19 is a handsome piece in the classic Bauhaus style. It may be too big for me to pull off, but bigger guys or those whose arms are perhaps better acquainted with the inside of gym will love it. They will also get a pretty good deal as Toc still has early bird specials starting at €189 (about $220 USD). Regular retail price will be €379. If you like the classic Bauhaus style and the 41mm Stowa Antea Klassik is too small for you (and its $1000+ USD price tag too big), the Toc19 is well worth a look.
For more information or the place an order, see the Toc19 Kickstarter page. ⬩
* Yes, yes, I know that some people can’t get past the obvious fact that “hand wound” is a heteronym for a hand injury. But, Really?
