Oak & Oscar is a Chicago-based independent watch brand dedicated to classic, detail-rich mechanical watches with custom typography and American assembly.
Overview
Founded: 2014
Based in: Chicago, United States
Typical Price Range: £1200–£3000 GBP
Known For: Olmsted, Humboldt
Website: oakandoscar.com
Brand Story
Oak & Oscar was founded in Chicago in 2014 by Chase Fancher, who left a corporate career to pursue his passion for watch design. The brand’s name combines two of Fancher’s favorite things: oak barrels (representing craft and longevity) and his beloved dog, Oscar. Oak & Oscar is recognized for its detail-oriented, clean watch design, custom-developed typography, and commitment to building a strong community around watch ownership.
Design Language
Oak & Oscar watches feature sandwich dials with high-contrast stenciled numerals, custom-counterweighted orange second hands, and modern, legible fonts. The brand uses subtle details, like the shape of the date wheel window matching the case’s step bezels, to create depth.
Movements & Manufacturing
The brand partners exclusively with Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita, housing premium automatic calibers like the SW300-1 and SW330-2. This ensures thin profiles and reliable accuracy, which are further regulated in their Chicago workshop.
Notable Models
The Olmsted is a refined 38mm field watch featuring a clean sandwich dial, and the Humboldt GMT offers an integrated, rotating 24-hour bezel for travel-ready utility.
Why Enthusiasts Care
Oak & Oscar represents a highly cohesive, American-assembled approach to micro-engineering. Their dedication to custom design elements rather than catalog parts, paired with a focus on enthusiast utility and solid customer support, makes them highly respected.
Official Website
Featured Models
Olmsted
A refined 38mm field watch featuring a clean sandwich dial, custom typography, and a premium Swiss automatic movement.
