Our Story
Hook+Gaff Watch Company was founded out of necessity.
In the field or on the water, the watches we wore felt too clunky. Aesthetically, they weren’t nice enough for a night on the town. The lighter styles we tried could not withstand the abuse of our offshore fishing trips. Outdoorsmen and gentlemen are often one and the same, but no watch was suited to our rugged yet refined lifestyle.
We took it upon ourselves to forge something strong enough for our adventures, yet designed with a classic look. Hand-assembled by expert watchmakers in the Carolinas, each Hook+Gaff watch is manufactured to be reliable in the most adverse conditions. Utilizing durable materials like scratch-resistant sapphire and lightweight titanium, we have created an adventure-proof watch that will keep you on course through all of your outdoor pursuits.
Our watches are built for the bold and the daring — those who lead the charge and chase down the horizon. We’ve proven that practical performance can look sharp. Now, we invite you to explore our range of durable, Southern-designed sport watches — and strap on a Hook+Gaff watch for your next adventure.
Michael Sims
President, Hook + Gaff
Why H+G
Unique Crown Orientation
Stay comfortable no matter where the day takes you. Unlike most watches on the market, Hook+Gaff watches have a unique crown orientation on the left side of the case to minimize wrist and hand irritation for those who live an active lifestyle. In other words, instead of the watch crown digging into your wrist, you often forget you’re even wearing one of our watches — and in the best way possible!
Why H+G
H₃ Illumination
Stay on course at any hour thanks to the H₃ technology found in select Hook+Gaff watches. The Swiss-made trigalight® glass tubes on the hour markers and hands provide self-powered illumination for always-on visibility.
I received the watch today...and although I intended to give it to my husband in 2 weeks, on our anniversary, I could not wait! He opened it today and absolutely loves it! We are so impressed with your product and your company. Your personalized note is so very much appreciated....and My husband, Alex wanted me to tell you that he loves the hat! A fisherman can never have too many hats, you know....although his tackle collection is over abundant as well.Thank you for everything...and I wish you continued success with your business.
I love it! The white dial works great for me. Very brilliant at night and during the day. I have the black dial also and the new Captain Pilar, but needless to say, I love all your watches for different occasions. When charter fishing the white dial seems to pop in the bright sun which I like, with no glare. Thanks again for a great product.
This is a really nice watch for the person looking for style and durability. I love the green face on the Captain because the shade of green changes a little depending on lighting conditions. The green will "pop" when you're out in the sun, but when you're in low light conditions, the face is darker--almost like a British racing green. It just looks fantastic!
This watch is stunning! This is the nicest thing I've ever owned. It's perfect. It's my forever watch.
Awesome experience! Great watch and these guys really understand the importance of the customer experience. In addition to an awesome timepiece, I received a personal note from the CEO and a bunch of cool goodies with the watch. Very nice touch. Thanks!
Sponsorships & Affiliations
Hook+Gaff affiliates with various charitable organizations and tournaments that align with our focus on the conservation of worldwide fisheries and supporting the sporting life. Some of our sponsorships and affiliations include:
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
In 2017 we partnered with BTT to support their initiative of conservation and sustainability of bonefish, tarpon, and permit habitat. We were commissioned to design a BTT custom edition Sportfisher for their Symposium, with a portion of proceeds from the sale of each watch going back to the organization.
Carolinas Golf Association
H+G President and founder Michael Sims is a member of the Executive Committee of the CGA, donating both time and resources to raise money for the Carolinas Golf Foundation, as well as supporting the organization's mission to grow the game of golf in the Carolinas through outreach, education, scholarships, and other initiatives.
Coastal Conservation Association
In 2018, H+G partnered with the CCA in SC, FL, TX, and LA to help in their mission to conserve our marine resources. We are commissioned to design a CCA custom edition watch to be used in various capacities by each state such as: new member gifts, silent auction items, or a product available for purchase, to help raise money for the organization.
South Carolina Golf Association
H+G President and founder Michael Sims has been playing competitive amateur golf in the state of SC for years. H+G is committed to growing the game of golf, and we have assisted the SCGA with raising money for junior golf initiatives since 2015.
The Billfish Foundation
H+G's partnership with the Billfish Foundation goes back several years. We have donated resources to help raise money for global conservation of billfish fisheries. And we are proud to announce that this year in 2018, our own talented artist Gash Clayton has been commissioned to do a limited number of prints for new members who join the organization. Prints of "Salty Blues," an original oil on canvas depicting a blue marlin hooked up, will go out to new members this year.
Operation Wetvet
We are proud to continue our relationship year after year with Ozzie Martinez, founder of non-profit organization Operation WetVet. Ozzie is a former combat marine who is on a mission here on the home front to help his fellow combat veterans suffering from PTSD. We've seen firsthand how his outreach to his fellow veterans is helping them and their families cope with PTSD and we always jump at the opportunity to assist Operation WetVet with help during offshore trips, resources for vets, and in other ways — just a fantastic organization!