The Galvin Loimu Frozen Salmon explores heightened salmon sophistication
Buffy Acacia
There aren’t that many Australian watch brands, but they always seem to have a great eye for detail. Galvin Watch Company prides itself on being the first female-led Australian microbrand as well as its versatile designs with an elegant twist. Well, if you’re looking for a Christmas present designed by Sydney-based Susan Galvin, the new Galvin Loimu Frozen Salmon special edition puts a slightly stripped-back spin on the recipe by removing the date display, and heightening its symmetry.
The dial
Loimu, translated from the Finnish of founder Susan Galvin’s youth, means “blaze”. Checking out the dial of the Loimu Frozen Salmon, it’s easy to see how the model earned that name. Much of the dial is taken up by an embossed pattern reminiscent of guilloché, with an offset waviness that creates a highly dynamic shine. Rather than a simple sunburst finish, this pattern almost becomes an optical illusion of depth as it moves on your wrist. The pinkish, coppery hues are blown out towards the centre by a stark highlight, making it far more vibrant than most salmon dials. Also, there’s something delightfully Nordic about a frozen or smoked salmon dial.
To ensure legibility isn’t compromised by the intensity of its dial, the Loimu Frozen Salmon utilises bold applied markers: the numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 are the easiest to spot at a distance, while individual dots for the other hours have been placed on an untextured ring around the dial’s perimeter. Minute markers have been printed on the colour-matched chapter ring, and the Galvin logo is unobtrusively printed below 12 o’clock. There are no other dial markings or date displays which could detract from the simplicity.
The case
Some watches are more like pieces of concept art, but most are designed to be worn daily. The Loimu Frozen Salmon splits the difference: it may have a captivating dial, but at its core, it’s a versatile daily driver. The case’s main job is to support the dial without being too distracting, and in that it absolutely succeeds. The lugs have a slight lyre-style twist to them, with a polished finish that gives a bit of sophisticated contrast to the brushed bezel. The crown is a nice size too, being unguarded and easy to grip. It even has a ring of Super-LumiNova for a touch of glow after dark.
At 38mm in diameter, the Loimu is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Its 45mm lug-to-lug width ensures ease of wear for any wrist, as does the slim 11.6mm thickness, including the flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Backing up the case’s slight air of sportiness, it’s water resistant to 100 metres with a screw-down crown, so you can absolutely take it swimming.
The bracelet
Opting for somewhat of a retro vibe, the Y-link bracelet of the Galvin Loimu is brushed in its entirety. Its links and clasp are solid steel, providing a weighty counterbalance for the watch itself. As with the case, its design isn’t overly noteworthy, allowing the dial to be the absolute centre of attention. The lug width is 19mm, and while aftermarket options may be slightly more limited than, say, a 20mm lug width, there are still plenty of leather, NATO, and rubber alternatives available at this width.
The movement
Behind a solid caseback that’s engraved with a dial-matched pattern and the cursive Galvin Watch Company logo is a Miyota Calibre 9039. This movement from the Japanese manufacturer’s premium range has automatic winding, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 4Hz beat rate which offers up a smooth sweep of the seconds hand. As far as affordable movements go, it’s up there with the best of them. It has a great reputation for accuracy and reliability, and servicing will be easy and affordable down the line.
The verdict
Considering the huge amount of microbrands out there today, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of competing watches. Time-only watches with artistic, patterned dials aren’t exactly hard to come by, but you can sense the earnest spirit behind the Galvin Loimu Frozen Salmon. There’s not a detail out of place, and all of the specifications will meet pretty much any demand you could think of for daily wear or even holiday attire. This particular take on a salmon dial is quite unique, and I’m sure that all 50 pieces of the limited run will be snapped up quickly.
Galvin Loimu Frozen Salmon price and availability
The Galvin Loimu Frozen Salmon Special Edition is limited to 50 pieces, with delivery expected in early December 2024 and guaranteed before Christmas. Pre-orders will open on Friday 1st November at 12 am AEST (1 pm GMT and 9 am EDT on Thursday 31st October) at Galvin’s online boutique. Price: A$749 (~US$500)
| Brand | Galvin Watch Company |
| Model | Loimu Frozen Salmon |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 11.6mm (T) x 45mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Salmon |
| Strap | Steel bracelet |
| Movement | Miyota 9039, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Limited to 50 pieces, delivery in December 2024 |
| Price | A$749 (~US$500) |
Made in partnership with Galvin Watch Company. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.