Many micro brands play it safe. They start with a conservative dress piece, then maybe introduce a Sub-style diver or Flieger-inspired pilots’ watch, and only then do they let the creative juices flow. Others, like WT Author, come barreling right out of the gates with their own unique vision and just roll from there. Clearly, it worked. They have released seven collections over the past few years (an eighth is now available for pre-order) all displaying a bold, idiosyncratic style. I’ve long been a fan from afar but this model No. 1968 Phantom was the first I’ve had on my wrist. So, what was it like to experience WT Author’s quirky vibe in real life? Pretty cool, really. Read on.
WT Author is a two-man team, neither of whom are named W, T, or Author. Jon Shakespeare is the watchmaker, and Sam Holland is the designer. The No. 1968 is the latest in a catalog of watches named for a year, and while the watches tend to be inspired by watches of a chosen era, they are in no way homages. Each model draws from an iconic style but ends up as a fresh, modern creation instantly recognizable as a WT Author. This micro brand takes its “micro” part seriously. All watches are limited editions that Jon builds to order at their Shropshire, UK shop.
In this case, the inspiration came from the late 60s — the 1968 motor racing championship, to be precise. Unlike most vintage watches, the No. 1968 is big, measuring 44mm wide and 49mm wide with 22mm between the lugs. I expected it to be a beast on the wrist, but it was actually quite tame. It is only 12.5mm tall, and the broad case spreads that modest thickness over a sizable area. I found it appropriately sporty on my 6.75” wrist and not at all ungainly.
Complex case design also contributes to the illusion of slimness. In profile, you can appreciate the brushed and polished bridge that flows from lug-to-lug over the knurled and ion-plated black central barrel within. That polished arc commands your attention while the barrel practically disappears behind it. Of course, you won’t miss the knurled and signed crown. As on every other WT Author watch, it is an attention-grabbing anodized red.
You don’t often find unidirectional bezels on driving watches, but as the No. 1968 is not a chronograph, why not? I always find uses for a timing bezel. They suggest using it to record elapsed time during races. The insert is marked in 60 increments with 00 at top center and is yellow and British racing green – colors repeated on the handset. Six raised and knurled platforms on the edge afford excellent grip. The bezel clicks smoothly through its 120-click rotation – maybe a touch too smoothly, as I found it was easy to unwittingly move it a notch or two over the course of the day. It isn’t a diving watch, but with a screw-down crown, 100m water resistance, and a sapphire crystal, there is really nothing stopping you.
Flipping the watch over, we find a display caseback secured with six screws. Glossy dark red enamel inserts create a “poker chip” that has become another WT Author hallmark. This surrounds an exhibition window decorated with the brand’s logo, watch serial number, and the other assorted details that didn’t make it onto the embossed ring that surrounds it. (Watchmakers take note: this is where you park all of that nice-but-not-essential info. Kindly keep your dials clean.) Some may complain that the screen printing obscures the view of the movement, but c’mon, it’s a Miyota 9015. It’s a high-quality, smooth-sweeping unit, to be sure, but it’s not much to look at. They also offer versions with a Miyota 8217 (24-hour display) or a lower-cost Ronda 513S quartz.
WT Author offers model No. 1968 in twelve different colors: Gold, Blue, Red, Green, Silver, Cream, Black, Cerulean, Orange, White, Scarlet, and Yellow. This Phantom silver version is arguably the most conservative. Polished, faceted markers in the brand’s signature tuning fork shape provide a bit of sparkle against the sun-brushed silver surface. White printing tones down the oversized WT Author “A” logo at 12 o’clock. Pops of yellow highlight hour and minute hands, checked seconds index, date arrow and frame, and pips below the hour markers. It is all perfectly legible but surprisingly low contrast. It’s a sophisticated look that allows the green second hand to dominate.
Pretty though the dial may be, lume freaks will be sorely disappointed. You will find it only on the hands. I would have loved a spot of the stuff inside the hour markers instead of the yellow squares, but c’est la vie.
Buyers have two 22mm strap options: a jubilee bracelet that I did not sample and a rally strap that I did. The rally is handmade from dark brown, vegetable-tanned leather. Its straight cut, big vent holes, stamped tail, and chunky dual-finished buckle exude a certain rough-and-tumble machismo right in line with the No. 1968’s racing roots. I normally recommend you always buy the bracelet, but given that the jubilee does not have fitted end links, I’d say there is less need in this case.
Finally, I must acknowledge WT Author’s packaging. I usually ignore watch boxes unless they are particularly clever or particularly awful. This is one of the cleverest. It’s humble cardboard, beautifully printed, wrapped with a racecar decorated band, and then wax-sealed. It opens like a presentation box, displaying your watch safely inside. A lavishly illustrated brochure and a bumper sticker are tucked underneath. Every bit of it is recyclable except the bumper sticker and a bit of foam padding.
Speaking of the bumper sticker, that is something you won’t normally find in a watch package, but the 60s-style cartoon captures the mood of this watch. Each one is signed, stamped, and marked with the watch’s name and serial number. I think it’s actually too nice to slap on my Dad Wagon. I’d more likely display it with the rest of my watch memorabilia.
The No. 1968 Phantom is available direct from WTAuthor.com for £500 (about $690 US) with the strap or bracelet, or £545 ($752 US) for both. That will buy an endearing watch that stands out even in the relatively esoteric world we micro brand watch collectors inhabit. If this one catches your interest, head over to their website soon as variants are already selling out.
