Oisín O’Malley’s YouTube Channel Is a Must-See for Watch, Travel, and Music Enthusiasts

Oisín does more than review watches.

I’m a massive fan of YouTube. I’m also a fan of watches, classical music, and Italy. So when I discovered Oisín O’Malley’s YouTube channel two years ago, then The Timeless Watch Channel, it felt like I had found gold. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started to get deeper into my hobbies. Since I love watches, YouTube was a natural place to indulge without spending loads of money.

What I find unique about Oisín’s channel is his ability to create an emotional connection to a timepiece through storytelling, imagery, and sound. And let’s be honest, isn’t the emotional connection why we like watches in the first place? Especially since mechanical watches don’t make much sense anymore from a practical standpoint. Everyone has a phone that tells the time with more accuracy than any Swiss-made watch. 

I wasn’t paid to write this article. I’m just a fan of his work and wanted to share it with someone who might care.

Here’s my best attempt to explain why I find Oisín’s channel so compelling.

The Music

What’s the most memorable thing about Star Wars? For me, it’s The Imperial March. That one piece of music brings Star Wars to mind to anybody who hears it. I would argue it’s the most recognizable piece of music from any movie. 

Oisín does a masterful job of using the right piece of music for the right watch. He used to use Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at the intro of his videos—so you know exactly what you’re getting into. I’m a relatively casual fan of classic music. But I’m familiar with most of the big composers and pieces. 

I found his use of Beethoven’s symphonies to be the most striking. I hadn’t given the symphonies much listening time because I’ve heard the 5th Symphony ad nauseum. I viewed Beethoven’s work differently when I heard the 7th and 9th Symphonies on his channel. From there, I consumed Herbert von Karajan’s famous 9 Symphonies recording with the Berliner Philharmoniker. I listen to those recordings weekly. 

Oisín’s channel is fantastic for discovering new pieces and composers. I would rather get recommendations from somebody like him than the Spotify algorithm. What’s more—and I’ll get into this a little later—the visuals help to build a strong emotional connection to the selected music pieces. 

Italy

What more can I say about Italy that hasn’t already been said? If you haven’t been, go. I was fortunate to visit for a month in 2016. My wife and I went to Rome, Milan, Florence, and Cinque Terre. I didn’t make it to Venice, where Oisín is, but I plan on visiting soon.

Oisín nails what I love about Italy in his travel videos. The beauty that exists there is beyond description. You have to go to truly appreciate it. His Padova video with the Rolex Submariner is probably my favorite. I’ve watched that one, along with the other travel videos, several times. 

The travel videos give you a glimpse into what it’s like to visit these Italian cities. You’ll gain insightful information about the location’s idiosyncrasies. But what hooked me to these videos was the emotional aspect. The sense of awe and wonder you feel when visiting a new place can be felt by watching these videos. They’re that good. 

Until I’m able to go back to Italy, Oisín’s travel videos will have to suffice. 

The Watches

This one can be tough to explain, especially if you aren’t into watches. In my experience, people view mechanical watches as anachronistic devices. And sure, on paper, they are. But they’re much more than that to me. 

I got into watches in 2018 because I noticed every guy I talked to at cars and coffee meets was wearing a mechanical watch. I purchased a Seiko SKX009 after some research online. As soon as I put that watch on, I got it. Mechanical, or automatic watches, are useful tools and beautiful objects.

Oisín does a masterful job of showing why we love watches. He shows his audience a vast array of timepieces ranging from Seikos to APs. His videos may have a watch in them but they’re not really about the watch. The videos are about his connection—our connection—to watches. They fulfill something larger in ourselves than just telling the time. 

A watch can tie you to a time, a place, a feeling, or whatever, at a given moment or whenever you wear it. These objects become a part of you, almost like a loyal companion. I know I’m waxing poetic about watches but that’s the point of Oisín’s work. The videos are about something much bigger than watches. I think they're about the emotions and feelings of being alive. 

Why Should You Care?

Entertainment options are endless. Finding something to enjoy is easier than ever. YouTube is especially good at pulling you in and not letting you out. I think it’s the best platform for enthusiasts. I’ve learned so much about things I’m interested in through YouTube. My level of interest and knowledge of watches has increased sevenfold by watching YouTube videos—for better and for worse.

Oisín’s videos allow me to enjoy things that I can’t justify spending money on or doing right now. I have small kids, a mortgage, and responsibilities. Spending $15,000 on a Rolex isn’t the most prudent decision for me right now. But I can enjoy a watch and a location through his videos.

Being curious about the world is a good thing. Whether that be travel, watches, or music, it never hurts to know more about things. If you’re looking for something compelling to watch that has meaning then I can’t recommend Oisín’s channel enough.