Evolving the SKIPJACK

The Skipjack GMT shines light on the everlasting utility and appeal of innovations from our past.

Named after the Chesapeake Bay’s distinctive sailing vessels that evolved in the late 1800’s as a result of increased demand for oysters and later used to dredge blue crabs into shallow grassy reaches in the bay’s tributaries. In 1985, the Pride II 'Skipjack' was officially named Maryland's State Boat.

Between the two-time-zone GMT complication and its traditional embellishments, the Skipjack tells the story of different moments in time. Like the vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, the symbolic value and utility of Towson’s distinctive GMT will forever be called for. An instrument specifically designed for timeless appeal and everyday use.

Created for those with a sports-oriented lifestyle, wishing to keep time in multiple parts of the world. Providing the ability to operate in two time zones, with an additional hour wheel, hour hand and a separate 24-hour scale. Each hourly correction of the 24-hour hand indicates the next time zone going east.

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The Skipjack was first made available to the public in select retailers in 2011. The release of the Skipjack I, available in silver or black, was Towson’s first GMT. Limited to 200 total timepieces. Featuring a cliche guilloche dial with contrasting printed numerals. Engineered, designed and managed by Hartwig Balke.

The traditional two-tone design language was taken from the Mission I with its simple classic Roman numerals and high-polish stainless steel case. Having a 39mm diameter with a 10mm thickness. Powered by the Swiss Made Caliber 2893 automatic movement, assembled, decorated and calibrated in-house by Towson watchmakers. Revealed by a sapphire crystal exhibition case-back. Providing measurements for seconds, date, minute and hours in two separate time-zones.

In 2018, the Skipjack line was revamped with the Skipjack GMT SKJ100, also available in a silver or black dial. A reference model limited in production to 500 total timepieces, with 100 made per year since its release. Extending the everyday wearability of its predecessor while further embellishing its character with boldness and brightness. The stamped guilloche-style and printed white-painted numerals are replaced with smooth finishes and rhodium applications.

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The enlarged 40mm stainless steel case of the SKJ100 has a layered high-polish bezel with coined mirror-finish midsections. The push-pull crown has a quickset function for the date and GMT with water resistance to 50 meters.

The luxurious aesthetic clashes classic principles with contemporary design. The craftsmanship is elevated by the rhodium-plated numerals, hands and indices that are applied to the glossy non-textured dial. The reflective surface boasts natural hues collected from the surrounding environment due to the domed sapphire crystal.

A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal exhibition case-back reveals the 2893-2 automatic movement with highest-grade decoration. Functions include: sweep-second, minute, hour, central 24-hour indicator, date window at 3-o'clock.

The evolution of the Skipjack line maintains the same principles as the original Skipjack I. The GMT timepiece is a daily wearer designed for world travelers with sophisticated taste. The SKJ100 was modernized and styled according to trends we see today, yet the traditional identity still speaks loudly. While the printed Roman numerals were replaced with rhodium numerals and indices filled with lume, the coined case and hand-machined bezel speaks to the everlasting appreciation we have for pastime design.