Founded in late 2020 by David DeWitt (formerly at Ford) and Siddhartha Kazami (formerly at Toyota), Ocean To Orbit emerged from a simple conversation. The pair shared a mutual passion for mechanical watches and a belief that the timepieces they admired could be improved. That spark led to the creation of a brand rooted in Swiss-made craftsmanship, utilitarian elegance, and compelling storytelling.
The pair set out with a clear vision: to design timepieces inspired by the golden era of 1950s - 60s expedition watches...
The Vision
The pair set out with a clear vision: to design timepieces inspired by the golden era of 1950s - 60s expedition watches - think Omega Constellation and Rolex Oyster Perpetual - but built for modern life and adventure.
The Ocean To Orbit Name
The brand name itself is a mission statement: create watches versatile enough to go from the ocean’s depths to outer space, and everywhere in between.
The debut Lhotse collection embodies this spirit:
- Named after the 4th-tallest peak in the world (8,516 m), it’s a nod to extreme environments.
- Tested on mountaineer Purnima Shrestha’s 2022 summit expeditions, enduring -60 °C in the “death zone”.
- Every design decision, from dial textures to hand shapes, tells a story, intentionally linking the watch to exploration and resilience.
Rather than releasing a product for its own sake, DeWitt and Kazami insist on purpose-driven storytelling, grounding each watch in authenticity.
The Lhotse: Design & Specs
Case & Crystal
- 38.5mm × 11.5mm, lug-to-lug 47mm, all a dimensional sweet spot for "GADA" (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) appeal.
- Brushed bezel top, polished slope, fine chamfers—echoing the meticulous finish of higher-end divers.
- Box-domed sapphire with AR coating, 100m WR, and screw-down crown—hallmarks of a true tool watch.
Dial & Hands
- Vertically brushed dials in blue, green, black (with gilt or silver print), plus a limited “tuxedo” variant.
- Applied markers, discreet brand logo, and clean no-date layout - balanced, legible, classic.
- Signature hands: hour hand echoes a rocket, minute hand a booster, seconds hand a re-entry capsule - a subtle nod to the brand ethos.
Bracelet & Clasp
- 3-link fully brushed bracelet, tapering from 20 mm to 16 mm at clasp, articulated for comfort.
- Screw links and milled clasp with micro-adjust, not toolless yet, but praised for robustness.
Movement & Performance
Ocean To Orbit opted for the Swiss STP 1‑21 automatic, reliable, thin, 4Hz beat rate, 40hr power reserve. Comparable in performance to ETA 2824 movements, but often more affordable, STP movements are respected in microbrand circles. User-maintained accuracy reports show +6 seconds per day, which is excellent for this class. Reviewers report a solid, reassuring presence on the wrist despite modest size.
Independent Reviews: What Others Say
- Time+Tide praised its proportions and detailed design, likening it to a “less slab‑sided bezel‑less Black Bay” with surprising heft.
- The Subdial called it “one of the most well‑rounded watches I’ve seen in a long time" - custom parts throughout, no off-the-shelf shortcuts.
- 12&60 highlighted dial execution, texture balance, and finishing under magnification.
- This website featured it among top Australian microbrands, calling out its GADA proportions and rocket-hand signature.
Reddit community voices affirm that images don’t do it full justice, saying:
- “Beautiful watch with great specs… Swiss made… more bracelet and less clasp!”
- “I still wear mine weekly… seems so well executed I couldn’t resist.”
Comparisons
- Christopher Ward C65 series: similarly Swiss but with Sellita movement; often priced slightly higher.
- Oris Divers Sixty‑Five: heritage Swiss diver, £1,000+, vintage vibe, but at double the price.
- Omega Seamaster/Speedmaster: iconic tool‑watches, £5,000+, rich history, but far out of Lhotse’s price range.
- Baltic, Zelos, Nodus microbrands: similar ethos and price tiers; Lhotse distinguishes itself through automotive origins and real-world testing narrative.
Final Verdict
Ocean To Orbit’s debut is impressive, and not just for its polished execution, but for the coherence of its story. It’s a boutique Swiss-made watch with roots in automotive design, feet in extreme adventure, and a wrist-ready aesthetic that punches above its price.
If you value authenticity, design integrity, and real-world performance, Lhotse is a strong contender in the sub $1,000 segment. It isn’t a heritage icon, nor is it a gimmick; it’s a unique narrative-driven piece that fills a gap between bold micro brands and legacy Swiss tool-watch giants.
Future Outlook
Ocean To Orbit plans new releases - dress watches, GMTs, chronographs - all maintaining their narrative-driven philosophy. They understand growth is earned, and each future piece will carry authentic purpose and craftsmanship.
