Trafford Watch Co. is an up-and-comer to look out for in the indie watch world. After three years of releasing small-batch, one-off collections, the Austin-based brand debuts its first regular production line.
Dubbed the Core Collection, it anoints the brand’s two most popular designs as the foundation going forward. Both watches should be available for purchase at any point for the foreseeable future.
Ask anyone familiar with the brand, and they will likely point to the time-only Daytripper as Trafford’s flagship watch. But to me, the Touring GMT stands out as a more unique design and has much more to offer.
As advertised, it features a GMT complication, executed as an arrow-tipped hand indicating a two-tone, raised 24-hour track encircling the dial. The hand’s arrow tip and the track follow the tonal navy-and-sky-blue color scheme decorating the dial.
Local time is handled by navy-coated syringe-style hour and minute hands, along with an orange needle-style seconds hand. Applied hour markers consist of even numerals and a combination of dash and arrow indices.
Both debut Core Collection models use the same 39mm stainless steel case, featuring twisted lugs, a signed crown and a polished finish with a hardened coating. Each one is topped with an AR-coated domed sapphire crystal.
