Built Tough
As a company, we decided early on to build rugged watches because we wanted our customers to have a product that would last for years. By using quality materials in the construction of our watches, we can ensure their durability and good looks. We believe that our customers will appreciate the attention to detail that we put into every Redwood watch
We were able to achieve this by committing to use the best materials for each application throughout our assembly line: 316-grade stainless steel, hardened mineral crystal, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, Japanese movements, ballistic nylon, and genuine leather.
Stainless Steel Build
All Redwood watches feature 316-grade stainless steel cases, case backs, crowns, and bezels. Stainless steel is an excellent material for watch cases because of its resistant properties.
The 316-grade stainless steel that we use is more resistant to corrosion than the more common (and cheaper) 304-grade stainless steel and vastly superior to chrome-plated brass or base metal commonly used in more affordable watches.
It is resistant to corrosion, which makes it a good choice for watches that will be exposed to the elements. Stainless steel is also a good choice for tool watches that will be used in the field, as it can withstand light scratches and nicks.
Sapphire Crystals
The crystal is the part of the watch that covers the dial and protects it from being damaged. Very early watches used glass which was so fragile it needed to be covered with a metal lid. Later watches used acrylic crystals. Acrylic is relatively resistant to breakage, yet it is very easily scuffed, requiring frequent polishing to restore it.
Mineral crystal is made from a type of glass that is hardened to make it more scratch-resistant. The mineral glass is hardened through a tempering process (heated at a high temperature). Tempering makes the glass less likely to splinter.
Redwood uses the best material currently available for watch crystals: sapphire.
Sapphire crystal is made from a type of synthetic material that is very scratch-resistant. It ranks at 9 on the Mohs scale (diamonds rank at 10) making it one of the hardest materials in existence. The complex manufacturing process makes sapphire expensive.
Water Resistance
All Redwood watches are rated at a minimum of 100m/330ft of water resistance, with our diver's watches rated at 200m/660ft, making them suitable for everyday real-life use.
Water resistance is achieved through the use of special seals for the caseback, crown, and crystal. For higher ratings, we used screw-down casebacks and crowns as well as thicker crystals to withstand hydrostatic pressure experienced at depth.
In turn, a waterproof watch means the internals remain protected from humidity and remain reliable for years.
*if you intend to use your watch in wet conditions, you will want to use one of our nylon or rubber straps. They are 100% waterproof.
Japanese Movements
The movement is the heart of the watch. It is the mechanism that keeps and displays time on the dial. The movement can be electronic (as in quartz and solar watches) or entirely mechanical (as in our automatic watches).
When we started designing Redwood watches, we began our search for a partner to manufacture movements for us. Most movement factories are located in Switzerland, China, and Japan.
Swiss manufacturers build excellent mechanical movements but at the cost of a very steep premium. This didn't sit well with our company values. Chinese electronic movements offer tremendous value but we were not comfortable with reliability and QC issues.
We selected Japanese movements because of their superior quality and impressive value. Japanese companies have been manufacturing mechanical movements for over 100 years. They have also been pioneers in the development of electronic/quartz movements in the 60s. Japan also has the technological know-how to supply vast quantities of movements.
For Redwood, the results are reliable, rugged, and durable watches that remain affordable.
Ballistic Nylon, Rubber and Genuine Leather Straps
Redwood watches are sold with 1-piece NATO-style nylon straps, genuine leather straps (1-piece or 2-piece) and rubber Tropic-style rubber straps.
Nylon straps are ideal for hardcore outdoors: They are very strong, abrasion-resistant, and 100% waterproof. They feature all-stainless-steel hardware. These 1-piece straps are easy and quick to change without tools. As per MOD spec, this design ensures that if one spring bar were to fail, the watch would not fall off.
Rubber straps are also 100% waterproof. The "Tropic" pattern on our rubber straps is reminiscent of the straps used on sports and diving watches in the 60s.
Leather is the traditional watch strap material because it is hard-wearing and comfortable. It will take on a unique patina with time as it adapts to the exact shape of your wrist. Leather shouldn't be soaked in water but will handle some moisture. We use only genuine leather because it is durable and will age well.
Our team takes pride in the watches we assemble and quality craftsmanship is visible in every one of our watches. We are also proud of the rigorous quality control protocol we have put in place.
This commitment to quality ensures that our watches will look good and work well for a long time. So whether you're looking for a tough and rugged watch to take on your next adventure, or just a quality timepiece to add to your collection, Redwood watches are built to last. Guaranteed.
The Redwood Brothers