Lorca is a new microbrand that made a splash with their first model launched in 2023, the Model No.1. This first model became an instant crowd favorite thanks to its striking design and a size that’s smaller than usual. Let’s take a closer look at it!
About The Lorca Brand
Lorca Watches was founded by Jesse Marchant, a New York-based recording artist with a Swiss mother and Canadian father. The idea for the Model No.1 GMT was born from Marchant’s experiences touring Europe as a solo artist, where he consistently felt the absence of the perfect travel watch.
Starting with the Model No.1, Lorca set out on a journey to create a limited selection of elegant, moderately-sized, Swiss Made mechanical watches. These timepieces are meticulously designed, and reasonably priced.
Lorca Model No.1 GMT Overview
The Lorca Model No.1 GMT’s design is striking: it’s simple and sharp. The dial is not overly complicated, but it doesn’t feel empty – the smaller size helps with reducing potential negative space. The more classic dial design is cleverly paired with a modern brushed stainless steel bezel. The bezel’s cool appearance is a perfect counterbalance to the vintage inspired dial.
The Lorca Model No. 1 GMT is a sleek sports watch that combines elegance and originality, making it suitable for even the more formal events due to its discreet design. It is also highly waterproof, ideal for water-related activities.
I think the most impressive detail of the overall design is how the GMT feature is subtly integrated, not taking aways from the overall elegant appearance. This is rare as most of GMT watches tend to gravitate towards the tool-watch design.
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod C125
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 36 mm | 37 mm with bezel
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 44 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 meters
- Price: $1,750
Dial
The Model No.1 GMT is available in two different dial colors: black and silver. I think the silver dial looks more elegant, but when we look at the overall design, my preference is the black dial as it provides a touch of modernity to the otherwise retro design. Don’t get me wrong, I love vintage watches, but the Lorca Model No.1 GMT is not a vintage watch, it’s a modern GMT watch inspired by retro design elements. The dial itself doesn’t have Roman or Arabic numerals, it uses thinner lines for the minute markers, and thicker ones as the hour indices. This fills up the outer edge of the dial, leaving negative space towards the center of the dial. The use of Dauphine Hands for the hour and minute hands is a perfect solution. They can take the spotlight at the center of the dial not disturbed by other design elements, and this classic look and feel becomes the center of our attention. The GMT hand extends to the very end of the dial, and it counterbalances the weight at the base of the hour and minute hands with its rectangular shape at the end. A truly elegant and fascinating solution with the impeccable use of complementary design features.
The name of the brand, Lorca is just under the 12 hour indice using a cursive font. This cursive is again counterbalanced with the “20 ATM GMT” text at 6 o’clock using a font that looks like an old-school printed font.
The date window is located at the classic 3 o’clock position, and I wanted to bring your attention to the shape of the date window: a cool, tiny trapezoid. As the hour and minute markers are all pointing towards the center of the dial, this trapezoidal shape is the solution to not to break up this pattern.
Bezel
The brushed stainless steel bezel provides a touch of robustness to the watch. While the case measures 36 mm in width, the width of the bezel is at 37 mm. In keeping with the intention to integrate the GMT function in a subtle way, the flared bezel is fixed, with the etched and lacquered numerals all standing upright. The connection between the bezel and the dial is created by using the same fonts for the bezel and the date window.
Case
The width of the watch measures only 36 millimeters, far smaller than most other GMTs, however, I have to note, that even though the case is at a 36 mm width, it actually wears as a 37 mm wide watch, due to the slightly larger bezel.
The case has a thickness of 11.2 mm, including the AR-coated double-domed sapphire crystal, and features a comfortable 44 mm lug-to-lug measurement that enhances its wearability.
It has a 19mm lug width—slightly unusual compared to the standard(ish) 20mm, which might seem a bit odd for those accustomed to the norm, but it’s a quirk that I actually appreciate, particularly for smaller, more elegantly profiled watches.
The case-back has been left blank, there’s no logo or any information engraved. While I was looking forward to seeing what we have in the back, my initial blank stare turned into a smile when I realized it could be a fresh canvas for personalized engraving.
The watch is water resistant up to 200 meters.
Movement
The Lorca Model No.1 GMT is equipped with the Swiss Soprod C125 automatic caliber. This 25 jewels movement provides 42 hours of power reserve. Soprod is a part of the Festina Group, and while this particular caliber is relatively new, other (more simple, non-GMT) calibers are becoming popular movement alternatives for micro brands. Some people might be hesitant to pull the trigger on a movement that might be considered “untested”, but based on other models using movements by Soprod, I’d say there’s absolutely no risk, and Soprod movements will become an even more popular alternative to other Swiss automatic movements provided by Sellita or ETA.
Stainless Steel Bracelet
The default stainless steel bracelet has a retro feel to it due to the smaller links. In my opinion, this bracelet design makes this watch too retro, and it feels like a forced vintage look. We’re talking about a modern GMT watch inspired by vintage design elements, and I’d prefer a modern strap or bracelet on it to play with the suspense between vintage and modern.
This is not a deal breaker, and I still think the watch has an incredible design, and if you like the fact that the overall appearance is leaning towards a vintage appearance, go for it!
If you’re in the same boat as me, keep in mind that the lug width is 19 mm, so we’ll need to dig a bit more than usual to find a good strap or bracelet alternative.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a look at the summary of pros and cons in my humble opinion:
Pros
- The 36 mm case (37 mm overall) width is perfect for all wrist sizes.
- Absolutely unique design.
- Versatile look: you can wear this for most occasions from casual to formal.
- Very exciting microbrand.
Cons
- Due to the bracelet, the watch might look too vintage for some.
- 19 mm lug width might limit strap alternatives.
- Some might shy away from new smaller brands – and we hope to help put some doubts at ease.
Summary: Takeaway and Final Thoughts About The Lorca Model No.1 GMT
The Lorca Model No.1 GMT is designed to be a fuss-free daily wear watch. It boasts a water resistance of up to 200 meters and includes a screw-down crown, ensuring that water exposure is never a concern. The design strikes a balance between originality and classic appeal, avoiding direct imitation of or excessive homage to iconic watches from the golden era.
A truly inspiring and refreshing design, the Lorca Model No.1 GMT got great attention right after its launch, and rightly so. Now, a year after its introduction, I’m still in love with its look, as this is a design I’m always on the lookout for.
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod C125
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 36 mm | 37 mm with bezel
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 44 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 meters
- Price: $1,750
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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