1998 Oakley ‘Timebomb’ Titanium Carbon Fiber Wristwatch

Oakley was originally founded in 1975 out of James Jannard’s garage on a mere budget of $300. Named after his dog, Oakley Anne, Jannard would begin his culture-shifting design journey by selling moto-cross grips out of his trunk, due to an innovative rubberized textile that’s still used today on namesake glasses. Garnering mass notoriety in the sports world, he’d soon pivot into googles and eyewear in the 80s, taking a chance by purchasing a 3D printer to not only streamline manufacturing, but develop a sci-fi aesthetic. Along with NASA, Oakley would be the only other brand to invest into the new-found tech, further emphasizing their interest in experimental production. With industry leaders like Michael Jordan and Denis Rodman adapting Oakley eyewear, the sport-centric label would become increasingly lucrative, until the peak of extreme sports in the late 90s. However, this shift in cultural interests didn’t seem to phase Jannard’s team, as they entered their famed ‘mad scientist’ era. Dawning silhouettes like the OVERTHETOP sunglasses at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics and our beloved Medusa’s in 2002, Oakley hype would travel south as it surged in Brazil’s Baile funk scene. Only further innovating with silhouettes like the Juliet sunglasses, among wristwear and clothing, Oakley would solidify itself as a symbol of forward thinking within the design community.

 

Debuting in December of 1998, Oakley’s ‘Timebomb’ accessory is known as the label’s first wristwatch. Explosively named, it was “incredibly disruptive in the watch industry,” due to its conservative, sleek design and reflective properties. Retailing at a staggering $1500, Oakley’s biomorphic, titanium-encased jump into the time-centric world was just as much an expression of the Oakley brand as a middle finger to others. Equipped with a spinal band, horseshoe crab bezel and overkill steel casing that read ‘TIMEBOMB INSIDE’ (which famously got pulled due to USPS security concerns), the model is over engineered in just about every avenue. Powered by the Oakley Inertial Generator that converts human motion into electrical current with the help of SEIKO technology, the Timebomb is truly one of a kind. Retaining a super-villain appearance and masterful movement, this specific model is the ‘Carbon Fiber’ colourway, featuring a checkered carbon fiber face, adjustable dating mechanism and seamless finish. In great condition throughout with light scratching throughout, needs an inexpensive battery replacement.