Remember going out to gigs all the time? Seeing bands in bars before they got big? Jamming with your buds into the wee small hours? Well, now I’m lucky if I can catch half an hour to chill in the den, strumming on my old acoustic guitar! But that’s life — and I wouldn’t trade what I have now for anything.
In my heart, I’m still a rocker. So I decided to treat myself to a Taylor Guitars Urban Ash watch by Original Grain. I now have a one-of-a-kind timepiece — and it’s probably just about the coolest thing I’ve ever owned. I mean, I used to dream about owning a Taylor Guitar — they’re like the Rolls Royce of acoustics — and now I get to wear a piece of that legend on my wrist.
Not to mention, who wants to be just another guy with yet another shiny little black box strapped to their wrist? With everyone wearing the same smartwatches, it all feels a bit dystopian to me.
Sustainable Style
That’s why I’m rocking a timepiece from Original Grain’s Taylor Guitars collection. My Taylor Guitars watch is different from any other watch I’ve owned. It’s truly unique, made from responsibly sourced hardwood and finished in the same way as the guitars of one of the most iconic names in music. This timepiece brings the style and substance that I would expect from a partnership between an innovative watchmaker and an industry-leading guitar manufacturer.
All Original Grain watches are made with sustainable wood and stainless steel. From repurposed tequila barrels and Hawaiian Koa to military surplus, their classic timepieces use the most incredible materials from unique sources. No grain is ever quite the same, so each watch reflects the natural beauty of wood, elevated by the work of craftsmen, and imbued with modern style.
For my watch, they used reclaimed Urban Ash Wood found in Southern California, also known as Shamel wood, which has been expertly crafted and then hand stained with the unique wood stain used by Taylor Guitars. It really has a special look and feel.
The Backstory
Original Grain was started by two brothers in 2013 with the mission to create unique timepieces out of reclaimed wood and steel. Since then, the business has prided itself on using responsibly sourced materials, partnering with iconic US brands, and working with Trees for the Future in Senegal, which plants a new tree for every watch sold.
Original Grain also supports Guitars 4 Vets and a tree planting program in California with every purchase of a Taylor Guitars watch. So I’m not just making myself feel good ... I'm part of something bigger and actually doing good for others, too.
More Than Just Watches
In addition to a full collection of men’s and women’s watches, Original Grain offers a wide range of other cool products, like rings, whiskey glasses, watch cases, apparel, and sunglasses—all made from the same wood as their best-selling watches.
I know my buddies are going to love this watch when they see it. And I won't be all that surprised if I see my friends' wrists start to look a little less "Black Mirror" and a little more "rocker chic."
