Sponsored Post written for aBlogtoWatch by advertiser.
Toc Watch (Toc) launched last July with the Toc19, a hand-wound watch with a bold size and lots of dial color options. Their customers, who are spread across 37 countries, surprised them with some of the style combinations they chose as well as some of the requests for more variation with newer models. Toc believes in individuality and as everyone is inherently different, choice is key to everything they offer. Toc designed their 2nd watch with more options and variations than the Toc19. Now they can offer something that appeals to more people. Introducing the Toc Ulysses watch.
Toc chose the name Ulysses because of the history and story the name carries. Ulysses is a book written by James Joyce, one of Ireland’s most influential and celebrated writers. Like the central character in Joyce’s book, Toc (an Irish company) is on a journey of discovery and like every journey taken before, you go somewhat into the unknown and so you must push yourself to adapt and grow as each new challenge presents itself.
The Ulysses is a brand-new design. Every angle and detail has been carefully designed and considered by Will and Max. Customer feedback was crucial when designing the Ulysses as requests poured in for different case sizes as well as different movement options. The Ulysses has 36mm and 40mm case size options and 3 movements to choose from. The ST1700 hand-wound movement as well as the ST1701 automatic movements are the foundation of the watch. They are robust, Chinese movements with solid reviews, but buyers can also pick a Japanese Miyota quartz option. Toc offers a two year warranty with its watches and they have received nice reviews from both The Time Bum and Wristwatch Review.
Toc clearly loves the seconds sub-dial designs on their watches and were determined to use it again with the Ulysses but they wanted more layers and depth to it this time. Depending on the dial style you choose, the CD sub-dial will be more obvious. There are other subtle differences to some of the dial styles, as well as some new dial designs this time. The Burren Gold brings something completely different as the texture is rough and rocky almost, like the Burren region in the West of Ireland. The gold color glistens beautifully as light hits the dial at an angle and the addition of the blue seconds ties it all together nicely.
Although Toc’s style is somewhat minimal and will therefore age well, there is a level of detail that is easy to miss. The simple yet elegant curved dial works seamlessly with the hour’s index. The fact that they use a mix of Arabic numerals and applied dots brings another very simple but pleasing aesthetic to the look of the watch. The details excluded are just as important as the details included.
All in all, there are 9 dial styles/colors to choose from as well as a multitude of strap options to pick including a hand-made leather strap and a perlon strap option. The case is 316L stainless steel and all glass is sapphire crystal.
Toc Watch has big expansion plans. They are looking at various manufacturing options and hope to include a Swiss movement in the next 6-9 months. Toc has also partnered with an Irish Craft Designer in Cork City to bring you a new range of handmade leather goods, including a classic watch roll as well as a men’s wallet. The new products use certified vegetable tanned full grain Italian leather and every product is made by hand before getting its final mark of approval in the form of Toc’s branding.
Toc is keen to move away from the crowdfunding model and so all Toc Ulysses watches are available for pre-order both on Kickstarter or thetocwatch.com. With pre-order pricing from €149 ($185) for the 36mm quartz and from €199 ($249) for the mechanical versions, now is the time to grab one. Future retail prices range between €199 and €359 ($249-450). Be part of their journey now. After all, every journey is better shared. thetocwatch.com
