We got some news last week that stopped us in our tracks.
Teddy Baldassarre, one of the most respected voices in the watch community, featured Sheffield in his comprehensive list of The 76 Best Microbrand Watches In 2025. Not just featured. They actually took the time to understand what we're doing and why.
Here's what they wrote:
"Sheffield is a love letter to affordable tool watches from the man who revived the brand behind his childhood dive watch. Jay Turkbas not only launched the Sheffield Allsport's modern incarnation, he even kept the price the same, an inflation-adjusted $108. For your money, you'll get a capable, no-nonsense 200-meter quartz diver that offers complete transparency about its component sourcing. Sheffield now has a much broader lineup, including Seiko-powered automatic GMT models that retail for an absurd $238, as well as limited runs that include the Sheffield 24Hr, with its striking day/night dial. One of the best of the bunch is the 38mm 1A 38 in its black-and-orange guise, a well-equipped slice of no-date retro goodness that retails for under $200. Other highlights include the quartz Sportlume QL1, a screaming bargain of a driver's watch at a mere $50, as well as special editions that include the sold-out driver's automatic created in partnership with Jay Leno's Garage."
We're honored. Genuinely. Being recognized alongside 75 other brands doing interesting work in this space means we're on the right track.
What They Got Right
The piece called out something we've been transparent about from day one: where our watches come from and what goes into them. We source components from Asia. We use Japanese movements. We state the country of origin on the case back. There's no reason to hide any of it.
After 30 plus years in product development and over a hundred trips to factories across Asia, I learned that great products come from great partnerships. Finding the right manufacturing partner took time. It took two product trials post-COVID to get it right. But rushing wasn't the goal. Getting it right was.
They also mentioned our GMT collection, which deserves its own spotlight.
The Sheffield GMT: Two Time Zones, Zero Compromise
The GMT was built for people who need to track two time zones without checking their phone every five minutes. Travelers. Remote workers. Anyone coordinating across continents.
We offer four versions. The Blue and White dials come in polished stainless steel for a classic look. The VisiLume Yellow and Orange come in black DLC coating for maximum visibility and a bolder statement. All four share the same foundation: Seiko automatic movements, sapphire crystals, and water resistance that actually works.
The price? $238. For an automatic GMT with sapphire crystal. We're not apologizing for that.
Why We Started Sheffield
This whole thing began with a childhood memory. My first dive watch was a Sheffield Allsport. I wore it everywhere. It mattered to me then, and when I had the chance to revive the brand decades later, I knew exactly what I wanted to build.
Modern versions of that original watch. Updated features and technology. But the same core principle: quality, capability, and a price that doesn't make you choose between the two.
I approached this the same way I've approached every product development project in my career. No shortcuts. No inflated claims. Just good products built the right way.
What Goes Into A Sheffield
The original Allsport retailed for what would be $108 today after adjusting for inflation. We kept that price for the modern quartz version. Not as a gimmick. Because it was possible.
Here's how: We focused the budget where it counts. A 316L stainless steel case. Sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating. Screw-down crown. Unidirectional bezel. Japanese and Swiss lume. FKM rubber straps that cost more than some entire watches. A Miyota quartz movement that keeps better time than most automatics.
Every watch gets third-party pressure tested to confirm 200 meters of water resistance before it leaves the factory. Quality control isn't a checkbox. It's the baseline.
Some people ask why we use quartz movements in our dive watches when automatics get more attention. Simple answer: accuracy and reliability. A Miyota quartz movement keeps better time and requires less maintenance than an automatic at this price point. We're not building watches to check boxes on enthusiast forums. We're building watches that work.
That said, our automatic lineup exists for people who want it. The GMT collection. The 24Hr models. Special editions. All powered by Seiko movements that we trust completely.
What This Recognition Means
Being included in Teddy Baldassarre's list matters because they don't hand out praise lightly. They looked at what we're building, understood the value proposition, and recognized that we're doing something different.
We're not trying to be the next luxury brand. We're not pretending to be something we're not. We're making capable, well-built watches at prices that make sense. Watches you can actually afford to wear without worrying about scratching a $5,000 investment.
The 38mm 1A 38 they highlighted in black and orange? That's a perfect example. It's under $200. It has everything you need and nothing you don't. No date complication to set. No unnecessary features driving up cost. Just a clean, functional dive watch that works.
The Sportlume QL1 at $50? That one surprised even us with how well it's been received. It's proof that you don't need to spend hundreds to get a watch worth wearing.
What Comes Next
This recognition from Teddy Baldassarre validates what we've been hearing from customers since we relaunched. People want quality watches at honest prices. They want transparency about where products come from. They want brands that respect their intelligence.
We're going to keep building exactly that. New models are in development. Limited editions will drop when they're ready. The GMT collection will expand as we find colorways and configurations worth making.
But the core mission stays the same: watches that deliver more than you paid for. No inflated marketing. No artificial scarcity. Just good products at fair prices.
Thank you to Teddy Baldassarre for the recognition. Thank you to everyone who's bought a Sheffield and taken the time to share feedback. You're the reason this works.
We're not done yet.
~ Jay