Introducing Locke & King The James from the heart of Hamilton, Ontario Canada’s gritty industrial capital, a working man’s dress watch

Locke & King was founded in 2020 by Ryan, inspired by a meaningful intersection from his past, where he used to live. The brand’s guiding phrase, Onward & Upward, is more than just words. It’s engraved on every caseback as a daily reminder to keep moving forward with purpose, no matter the circumstances.

These timepieces aren’t just about keeping time, they’re thoughtfully crafted tools for life’s journey, infused with character, craftsmanship, and a distinctly Canadian spirit.

The James

The James model was the first watch created by the brand. It was inspired by James Street in Hamilton, Ontario which is a historic entry point for newcomers and a vibrant cultural hub. The watch design blends elements of classic railroad and field watches, featuring a ruggedly elegant coin-edge bezel and a sectored dial inspired by the old city hall clock, like the street it’s named after, The James is an everyday hero for anyone who would love to have a good looking, masculine watch.

The James is a bold 42mm watch that really makes a statement. It measures 48mm lug-to-lug, with a 20mm lug width and a thickness of 12.4mm. It is a well-balanced set of dimensions that give it strong wrist presence without feeling oversized. It sits nicely on my 17 cm(6.7 inch) wrist.

The version I own is the matte black, and it looks incredible. The case is finished with a black DLC coating, giving it that perfect stealthy look. I was a bit concerned about how this coating would hold up to scratches, since darker finishes can sometimes show wear more easily but so far, no issues at all. It’s been holding up great and I am using it for a while now(since march 2025)

On another note just look at that bezel. The coin-edge design adds a gorgeous vintage charm and really elevates the entire watch. It’s a thoughtful detail that makes this piece truly stand out.

It features a black dial that perfectly complements the matte black case, the two work or goes together seamlessly. I especially love the white minute and hour hands with added lume, which stand out clearly against the dial. The red-tipped second hand is a subtle but clever detail, referencing a compass needle and symbolizing “Northern Time.”

The dial features Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12, with a neatly placed date window at 6 o’clock. It has a clean, uncluttered layout with just the brand name and logo sitting subtly below 12 o’clock. Above the date window, you’ll find “Canada,” with “Automatic” written just beneath it, keeping the overall design balanced and refined.

It has a domed sapphire crystal that gives the dial a subtle, beautiful distortion at certain angles. It is fun to see and photograph.

On the back, you’ll find a molded caseback with a unique serial number, making every watch feel personal. It is also beautifully engraved.

The case is uniquely constructed from two separate halves, which are secured with visible screws. That is a detail which really adds to its rugged charm.

It features a screw-down crown with 50m water resistance which gives extra peace of mind against splashes, rain, and everyday hand-washing, making the watch perfectly suited for daily wear(probably it could handle some light swimming too). Personally, with this kind of case construction and crown, I’d prefer to see at least a 100 m rating for a bit more versatility, but realistically, 50 m is more than enough for most real-world use cases.

The watch is powered by the reliable Miyota Cal. 8215 automatic movement, offering a power reserve of approximately 41 to 42 hours and an accuracy range of -20 to +40 seconds per day. I found it to keep time much better, within 10 seconds though. It is well regulated.

It comes fitted with a very comfortable black leather strap that feels great on the wrist and goes well with the whole stealthy look. I wore it for quite some time without feeling the urge to swap it out. Still, I recently decided to upgrade it with a new strap, a leather black one piece strap(basically a leather Nato), as you can see in the photo below.

Final thoughts

The James in matte black is a bold, well-crafted watch with strong wrist presence and thoughtful details. The stealthy DLC finish and compass-inspired second hand give it real character. While a 100m water resistance and a Miyota 9-series movement would elevate the overall experience, it would also raise the price of the watch, the current package delivers great value and design. A great example of quality Canadian watchmaking.

I’ve been wearing this watch since March 2025, and I can’t imagine it leaving my collection anytime soon. From the start, it won me over, with its cool design, wrist presence and comfort. With time, my appreciation only deepened, and it quickly became one of my favorite pieces. I’ve truly fallen in love with this and it never fails to bring me joy each time it’s on my wrist.

Upward and onward I go!

Specifications:

• Size: 42mm 
• Thickness: 12.4mm
• Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Domed, with AR coating 
• Movement: Miyota Automatic(series 8th)
• Case: Two-halves, affixed with screws, 316L Stainless Steel
• Water Resistant: 5ATM
• Crown: Screw Down
• Swiss luminous detail on hands
• Molded case back with unique serial number on each watch
• Red-tipped second hand referencing the needle on a compass, indicating Northern Time
• Price: 407 USD

Link to the webpage:

The James