Barrel shaped and unique – the Galvin Watch Company YÖ - Limited Edition

There are watches that you see in pictures and you like them straight away but, you wrist size might not be the right one for it. I had my fair share of barrel shaped watches and all of them were a tad too big, a little bit narrow or even too wide. The ‘’ tonneau’’ shape is hard to get right but the brands do, well, you have a winner.

Another part to consider on these shapes is that they are very art deco like which translates into a more dressy object but since the dawn of Richard Mile, sportier versions of our newly barrel friends have come to market.

I was lucky enough to get hands on with the new baby from Galvin Watch Company: the YÖ Limited edition. A sporty take on their Suvi collection with a dial that is truly a showstopper. This is not the first watch that I review from Galvin Watch Company, their dials and attention to detail have made me enjoy photography again, mainly because I know their products never disappoint. Join me to discover one of the coolest proposition from Australia. Let’s begin.

The specifications

As mentioned, the YÖ is technically part of the Suivi collection from the brand, it shares the same dimensions of 33mm in diameter by 40mm in length. These measurements might sounds small but as we highlighted at the beginning, the shape is quite elongated and it wears more like a 39mm round watch, this is just for comparison.

Similarities end with the case because the YÖ has received the sporty treatment which works  very well on this line. The body has been DLC coated in black for a more aggressive- sportier look, this treatment has been also extended to the hands, buckle and skeletonized rotor. On paper the black DLC sounds simple but it is effective and  also with a rubber CTS strap, the Suvi has become a different beast.

The dial showcases a guilloche pattern that allows the hands to stand out easily, there are no markers in the periphery, just the stamp of the brand at 12 in black of course. It all looks very minimalist, very Moser like and I meant that as a complement.

Staying with the dial, the pattern is complex and at the same time easy to live with and while the brushed black DLC contrasts with the elegance of the turquoise canvas, the result is a watch that feels beautiful and utilitarian.

Turn the watch over and you are greeted with that half skeletonized rotor that powers the automatic Miyota 9039, a very thin caliber that provides 42 hours of power reserve. I am always a fan of this premium movement and not sure if Galvin Watch Co. did something clever here, but the noise of the watch is minimum or not even there, I guess it has been calibrated to the extreme, attention to detail.

On the wrist

We always end up focusing the body of the YÖ because of the execution. The slim profile of 11mm (thanks to that Miyota 9093 movement is also part of why the watch wears so well on my 6.25 inch wrist. The curvature of the body (and that sapphire glass) also helps the YÖ to feel more like a bracelet and not so much something floating on the wrist, again it is hard to get this shape right as it cannot be straight or too long, and I believe they got it right from the start, bravo.

The YÖ enjoys a sportier profile also aided by that already mentioned bespoke 19mm CTS strap, in can be chosen between black or turquoise but I feel that our version came out of the box as the perfect configuration. The blue greenish strap matches the dial and also gives this IWC Mercedes combination that I quite enjoyed. I was approach while having a coffee by someone asking me if my watch was made of ceramic, clearly he was a watch nerd like me but it shows how much a different colour and case treatment can change a watch, that is only of course if the design is good from the start, the Suvi is one of these.

Comfort is a high point with the YÖ, the crown also aids that curvature of the case, its grip its well supported by the knurling and as an extra touch is signed with the logo in relieve. I think people underestimate the impact of small details in the final product, the YÖ is a watch that brings plenty nuances to create a one of a kind piece (in this case 50 but we will come to that later).

I wore it mostly in the house and took it a few days into London. It got some attention but  good one, I saw several people staring at it and trying to figure out what it was. The strap is loud but tamed by that black DLC treatment which I must say, looks like it will hold very well. I didn’t put the YÖ through its paces but it feels like a watch that would look pristine for years to come.

Concluding thoughts

As you can see from my writing, the YÖ is a watch that I really enjoyed, it was really hard to say good bye because I used it all the time and it is really easy to get used to good things. That said, by the moment I decide to pull the trigger it might be too late as the YÖ is limited to 50 pieces only, it is a true limited edition not Seiko release (sorry Seiko we love you).

The price is also a good one, the YÖ is launched at 735 GBP and for a watch that delivers so much at this level, to me it seems like a bargain. The YÖ feels and wears like a watch costing 2x the price, it is that good.

Then we also have the added factor of its uniqueness. Because of its low production numbers you are very unlikely to encounter one, which is a shame in my eyes, this could easily be part of the regular production along the Suvi, perhaps in another colour configurations?

If you are in the market for a watch that is luxurious, sporty and doesn’t break the bank, this should be on top of your list in my opinion. From the case to the dial and overall execution, it feels flawless and it is a shape that is missing in my collection. This is a dangerous hobby but have to love it.

For more information please visit https://galvinwatchcompany.com.au/products/yo-limited-edition?variant=42750790041718

Technical specifications

 Specifications:

Diameter: 33 mm × 40 mm

Thickness: 11.15 mm

Lug width: 19 mm

Lug-to-lug: 46 mm

Crown: 6 mm

Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating

Exhibition case back with sapphire crystal

Miyota 9039 calibre featuring a black rotor, made exclusively for the YÖ edition

Black DLC-coated stainless steel 316L case and crown

5 ATM water resistance