Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Watches in this Jack Daniel’s collection feature the brand’s wooden barrels

Want a whiskey barrel watch face?

Original Grain Jack Daniel's watch collection in case
Original Grain

The best things in life tend to combine multiple passions, so if your favorite Tennessee whiskey is Jack Daniel’s and you love stylish wristwear, then your time may have come. The legendary bourbon distillery has partnered with watchmaker Original Grain to produce a series of timepieces celebrating its heritage and brand. The collection in question has been aptly named The Original Grain x Jack Daniel’s watch collection.

Recommended Videos

All of the watches come with a very unique twist. Wood from the barrels Jack Daniel’s uses to mature its famous spirit is used in their manufacture. Alongside the bourbon-stained American oak, you may also see some charcoal and limestone. The charcoal is a reference to the filtering process Jack Daniel’s goes through during its mellowing phase, and the limestone is a nod toward the Cave Spring Hollow. That’s where the water used to make the whiskey is sourced.

Original Grain, which was founded in 2013, is hoping to celebrate the history and heritage of both Lynchburg, Tennessee, and the city’s most famous export. This isn’t the watchmaker’s only collaboration, with timepieces paying homage to Bob Marley and Indian Motorcycles also among its limited edition products. As its name may suggest, wood is also a common material used in Original Grain’s watches. In addition to the bourbon barrels, you can find watches made with beer barrels, other whiskey barrels, exotic hardwoods, and even bits of guitar. Still, for a true Jack Daniel’s fan, there’s only one obvious choice when it comes to expanding your collection of branded merchandise. As well as keeping time, the watches give you a direct link with the legendary distillery. You may have even had a sip of something that spent a few years in contact with your new choice of wristwear.

Five designs are available in total

Original Grain Jack Daniel's watch collection
Original Grain

The watchmaker has produced five unique designs in total. These range in price from $299 to $619 (sans tax) and measure between 43mm and 46mm — so the watches are all on the larger side. The “Nomad,” which features a black and wood design with an “Old No7 Coin” present in the dial, is the cheapest at $299. The wood-inspired “barrel” is the second cheapest, at $309. The all-black “Barrel Chrono” comes in at $379, as does the wood and charcoal-colored 44mm “Chrono.”

Finally, the most exclusive piece on offer is the “Mechanical Chrono” — a 44mm charcoal, wood, and limestone combo with a mechanical movement ticking away under its case. The movement in question is a Japanese Automatic Miyota 8215 — which is usually found in a number of Citizen’s models.

As things stand, the Jack Daniel’s collection can only be purchased from the Original Grain website. So head along there if you’d like to take an in-depth look at the watches on offer or add one to your collection. The watches also come with a “certificate of authenticity” so you know that it, and the parts it contains, are all genuine. The watches are set to ship out on June 7, and supplies are limited.

Dave McQuilling
Dave has spent pretty much his entire career as a journalist; this has included jobs at newspapers, TV stations, on the…
Aquavit: the centuries-old spirit that’s more than just “black death”
What exaclty is aquavit?
Alcohol tasting: Aquavit, Bitter orange snaps, Bask, Arrack punsch

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, there’s a chance a local tour guide has offered you a chance to partake in a less-than-appealing local rite of passage. I’m talking about eating fermented shark followed by a shot of Brennivin. I, like many travelers to Iceland, have taken part in this life-changing experience. I can tell you that the shark is the biggest acquired taste I’ve ever been a part of.

The Brennivin, on the other hand, was actually memorable in a good way. Even though it’s referred to as “black death,” this strong Icelandic spirit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes. It gets its unique flavor from the use of caraway seeds. It’s the country’s main type of Aquavit and it's the national drink. But it’s definitely not the only country that makes this unique spirit. You might be wondering what Aquavit is.

Read more
Longines introduces bright white dial to Legend Diver collection
Classic evolution: Longines legend diver's white dial honors 66-year diving heritage
Longines legend diver white dial

Longines introduces a striking matte white dial to its popular Legend Diver collection, marking a notable departure from the traditional black face while retaining the design that has defined the model for sixty-six years. This new variant joins a lineup of dial colors in the well-liked 39mm case size.
The Legend Diver’s history dates back to Longines’ first dive watch from 1959, which featured a super compressor case. This design used gaskets that became more watertight as depth increased, allowing the original to reach about 400 feet. The watch also included a unique 60-minute internal rotating bezel, operated by a second crown to prevent accidental adjustments during dives.
This heritage remains strong in today’s models. The new white dial version preserves the vintage-inspired look and function, while offering a fresh, eye-catching appearance.
The 39mm stainless steel case remains compact, measuring just 12.7mm thick—smaller than most modern dive watches, making it comfortable for a variety of wrist sizes and occasions. Water resistance has been upgraded from the original’s 400 feet to 1,000 feet, meeting contemporary professional diving standards and reinforcing its status as a true tool watch.
The dial is monochromatic, with raised hour markers and hands filled with green luminescent material and outlined in black for excellent readability in all lighting conditions—an essential feature for underwater timekeeping.
Inside, the watch is powered by the ETA-based Longines L888.6 automatic movement, which provides reliable three-hand timekeeping, a silicon balance spring, and a 72-hour power reserve. This modern movement delivers current performance while maintaining the simplicity that defines the Legend Diver.
The bracelet features polished “beads of rice” links down the center for both visual appeal and comfort. Additional strap options include new blue or black rubber bands, allowing for versatility from professional diving to everyday wear.
With the addition of the white dial, the Legend Diver collection now offers blue, black, brown, grey, and green dials—all in the popular 39mm size. This expanded range demonstrates how classic designs can remain relevant and desirable through thoughtful updates rather than drastic changes.

Read more
Urban Jürgensen revival captures watch world attention with modern approach
Danish legacy reborn: Urban jürgensen's 250-year heritage meets contemporary luxury under new ownership
Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
“The image contrasts modern, playful marketing with serious, traditional watchmaking—but it works because it is grounded in artisanal quality,” observed JX Su, founder of SJX Watches.
Rosenfield’s approach emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, targeting a diverse audience including women and younger collectors, not just established enthusiasts. Ellen von Unwerth’s “Time Well-Spent” campaign, featuring people aged 19 to 82, reflects this inclusive vision.
This revival shows how historic watch brands can succeed today by combining genuine craftsmanship with contemporary communication strategies.

Read more