Here at First Class Watches, we are very excited to welcome Out Of Order to our product range! Out Of Order is an Italian-born watch brand that defies the industry standard. Instead of creating pristine timepieces like other luxury watch brands, Out Of Order intends to do the exact opposite. In fact, even the brand’s daring name is a nod to this. Each piece is designed to appear worn and this is achieved through the brand’s patented ageing process. As a result, every watch is unique and ready for action. As intrigued by this concept as we are? Read on for more about Out Of Order.
A Brief History of Out Of Order
Where did it all begin?
The brainchild of Riccardo Torrisi and industry experts Claudio Dalla Mora and Dario Ceolotto, Out Of Order was born in February 2013. After trying to restore a dropped watch, Torrisi became inspired by the aesthetic of the “damaged” timepiece. He began contemplating the charm of vintage clothing, such as washed jeans and jackets, and the way they are “embellished by the passage of decades”. Realising this gap in the contemporary watch market, the trio set to work on prototypes.
Branding the company under the slogan “Damaged in Italy”, the founders settled on the name “Out Of Order”. The appeal of this name was its contradictory nature. After all, signing products under a name that implies a lack of functionality is a boldly unique move.
Indeed, the name and premise of the brand certainly made the company stand out from the crowd. Completing the first quartz prototype in May 2013, the brand began distribution a month later. Whilst initially exclusive to Italy, merely a year later, Out Of Order was presenting its watches to the American market.
Growth and Global Popularity
In August 2014, Out Of Order appeared at the Liberty Show in Las Vegas. Four months later, the brand gained international recognition by winning ‘Best Design Product of the Year’ in Japan. This catalysed a series of collaborations both in Italy and Asia as well as event appearances across the globe.
Although the brand’s success was already skyrocketing, in the years following it globalised itself even further. In 2019, Out Of Order redesigned its website to include e-commerce capabilities. This meant that it could now reach even the remotest parts of the world, which was well-timed for the 2020 pandemic.
One of the brand’s strengths is the way it’s able to adapt itself to each country’s market. For instance, in 2018, Out of Order released a limited edition Minuteman model to celebrate the 4th of July in America. Using the colours from the American flag on the bezel, 51 models were released to reflect the states. As an added touch, each of these had a different state engraved on them instead of a number. Similarly, in August 2021 the brand released its Bayda Edition watch. This was a limited edition piece exclusive to the Middle Eastern market and featured traditional Arabic numbering. Moreover, its dial was also sand-blasted using real Sahara Sand.
With their unique character, it’s no wonder that Out Of Order watches were an immediate hit. If you’re interested in one for yourself, here are our favourite picks from each of the brand’s collections below.
Our Out Of Order Recommendations
Shaker Automatic GMT Collection
Unique, fun and playful, the Out Of Order Shaker Automatic GMT collection is perhaps the first watch collection inspired by cocktails. Although some of the other designs are brighter, our favourite all-rounder from this collection is the Irish Coffee edition.
We recommend: Out Of Order Irish Coffee Automatic GMT (40mm) Brown Dial / Dark Brown Leather OOO.001-25.IC
Following a creamy brown colour scheme, this Irish Coffee Shaker Automatic is rich with character. Its double-layer matte dial features a brown gradient design and mixed luminescent indices. Matching the indices are four ion-plated gunmetal hands that also are fitted with a luminescent insert. To frame this design, a dual-tone cream and brown bezel repeats the dial’s colour scheme. The bezel is bidirectional with a stainless steel base and a sapphire crystal insert. For a vintage feel, both the bezel and the 40mm stainless steel case have been finished with the brand’s signature ageing process. Sitting in the case is a domed sapphire-coated glass, which is antireflective-treated for improved readability. The same glass is found on the exhibition case back, which offers the wearer a view into the watch’s mechanism. Finishing the design is an ultra-soft brown vegetable-tanned brown cowhide leather strap to guarantee your comfort.
Although its superficial features take centre stage, it has many valuable mechanical features too. For instance, it boasts an outstanding 300 metres of water resistance. On the dial, in addition to a date display, there is also a GMT function that allows you to display the time in a second time zone. Powering the watch is a Japanese-made Seiko NH34A calibre automatic mechanical movement. Peculiar but surprisingly practical, this is a range like no other.
Automatico Quaranta Collection
If you’re looking for something a little more on the understated side, the Automatico Quaranta is your best bet. The Quarantas come in a variety of colours and follow a more classic silhouette. However, if you thought Out Of Order would play it completely safe with its designs, think again! Each model features a (perhaps controversial) slogan engraved into the wall of the bezel for an added element of surprise.
We recommend: Out Of Order Blue Automatico Quaranta (40mm) Blue Dial / Aged Stainless Steel OOO.001-21.BL
Giving the watch a more classical divers watch look, this model features a silver and blue design. As expected, the stainless steel case, bracelet and bezel on the model are deliberately weathered to make each watch unique. Its blue dial exhibits a gradient design and a sand-blasted matte finish. Paired with this are applied baton indices and three luminescent hands so that the watch is readable with limited lighting. Additionally, shielding the dial from further (unwanted) damage is a flat and anti-reflective sapphire crystal which magnifies the date display. Practicality-wise, the Quaranta also excels with its 100 metres of water resistance and Seiko NH35 automatic mechanical movement. However, beware of its hidden “important communication” on the bezel’s wall!
Auto Collection
Fusing the past and present, the Out of Order Auto Collection reinvigorates a vintage 1970s diver’s design with contemporary technology. The collection has different colourways to appeal to any taste, but this green model takes the cake for us.
We recommend: Out Of Order Green Auto 2.0 (44mm) Green Dial / Aged Stainless Steel OOO.001-16.2.VE
Measuring 44mm in diameter, the aged stainless steel case houses a Seiko NH-35 Japanese-made automatic mechanical movement. To foreground the retro-green colour of the dial, a black aluminium bezel encircles the dial and has a hand-brushed finish. On the dial itself, the indices and hands have luminescent treatment applied to them. Resting on top of the design is a dependable flat sapphire crystal which is anti-reflective. Adding to the model’s durability is its 100 metres of water resistance. Finally, an aged oyster solid stainless steel bracelet completes the design and fastens with a safety clasp.
Swiss GMTs
Demonstrating the well-travelled nature of the brand, the Swiss GMTs bring the aura of cities around the world right to your wrist. Each watch takes inspiration from a different location and incorporates that culture’s design with Out Of Order’s distinctive flair.
We recommend: Out Of Order GMT Tokyo Shibuya (44mm) Grey Dial / Vintage Black Leather OOO.001-19.TS
One of our favourites from Out Of Order’s Swiss GMT collection is the GMT Tokyo Shibuya. From its vegetable-tanned leather strap to its heavily aged stainless steel case, the model is black from top to toe. However, breathing life into the design are its blue and red accents. Adorning the dial are blue-frame indices and blue-detailed luminescent hour, minute, and second hands. The fourth hand displays the model’s namesake GMT function and has a red arrow tip. However, the real centrepiece of the watch is its luminescent dial pattern. Its sunburnt grey dial reflects the model’s roots with its traditional Japanese texture. In low light conditions, this design illuminates so that the dial is still readable. Moreover, the case back on the model also features traditional Japanese engravings.
Beyond its superficial features, there is also plenty to like mechanically about the model. For example, it has an excellent water resistance of up to 100 metres, as well as a reliable Swiss Ronda 515 24h quartz movement.
Casanova Collection
This collection derives its name from the Italian adventurer and reflects his several identities through its diverse colour range. Each with its own character, there is a Casanova model for every need and taste.
We recommend: Out Of Order Black & Grey Casanova (44mm) Black Dial / Aged Stainless Steel OOO.001-18.NE.GR
A more understated finish to our Out Of Order recommendations, this model features a black dial and complementary bezel. The hand-brushed aluminium rotating bezel is unidirectional and grey in colour. Contrasting the black sunray dial are grey applied indices as well as brushed hands. For added functionality, there is a date display that is magnified by the watch’s sapphire crystal. This design sits in a uniquely aged stainless steel case that measures 44mm in diameter. Beneath the surface, a Swiss Ronda 515 calibre quartz movement powers the watch. To complete the design is a 22mm wide oyster stainless steel bracelet, which also has an aged finish. If you’re looking for something simplistic, this is the closest you will come with Out Of Order’s rebellious temperament.
And that concludes our introduction of Out Of Order. As a now-authorised dealer of Out Of Order watches, be sure to check out the others here. Have any questions or opinions about the brand? Be sure to drop them down below so we can help.
