There are many watches that look good on the wrist, and many that show impressive engineering. But not many people try to do anything truly useful beyond that. That’s exactly the point of Split Watches – and with their latest release, they’ve taken the concept to a new level: an official tribute watch to Ozzy Osbourne, where 100 percent of the profits go to charity.
Highlights of Ozzy Osbourne’s career:
Ozzy Osbourne, also known as the “Prince of Darkness”, became world famous as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, the band that invented heavy metal with albums such as Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971). After leaving Sabbath in 1979, he launched a hugely successful solo career with songs such as “Crazy Train”, “Mr. Crowley” and “Bark at the Moon”. In the 2000s, he became a new phenomenon when he and his family steal the show in the reality series The Osbournes, which gave viewers a unique and often comical insight into his everyday life – far from the stereotype of a dark and scary rock star. Ozzy has won Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, and is arguably one of the most iconic figures in rock history.
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The watch, called “The Ozzy,” is launching in a limited edition of just 50 copies at a price of £2,350. Every penny earned from it will be donated to MusiCares – a charity affiliated with the Recording Academy that works to support the health and well-being of people in the music industry. This is also a cause that Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have supported for years, which gives the whole project extra weight than a regular celebrity hookup.
Design that pays homage to a legend
On a design level, the watch leans heavily on Ozzy’s visual identity – without being too pretentious. The sub-dials are designed to resemble his signature tinted glasses, and they are finished in the deep purple colour associated with Black Sabbath. A cross at 12 o’clock nods to the jewellery he has worn for decades. It’s subtle enough that the watch works first and foremost as a watch – and then as a tribute.
Under the hood, it is based on Split’s existing motorcycle collection. That means a Seiko automatic chronograph movement, a Ceramod+ case and an FKM rubber strap.
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A personal story
There is also a deeply personal angle behind it. Split’s founders have been pretty open about how much Ozzy’s music shaped them growing up, and it’s reflected in how the watch is put together. This is less about making money from a famous name, and more about honoring the influence he has had – both musically and culturally.
The influence also extends beyond the music. Part of their inspiration comes from the Ozzy people saw offstage, especially through The Osbournes. There he became known as much for his openness and vulnerability as for his persona as “The Prince of Darkness”. This has the brand explicitly linked to its own broader focus on mental health and honest self-expression.
Sharon’s blessing
Sharon Osbourne has also supported the project, calling it “a thoughtful work that really captures Ozzy’s spirit.” At the same time, she has emphasized how important the donation to MusiCares is – and the support it gives to people behind the scenes in the music world.
This is precisely what sets “The Ozzy” apart from the regular limited edition release. Yes, it is expensive. And yes, it’s exclusive. But there’s a distinct sense of purpose behind it – something that goes beyond just owning a nice object.
Do you want one? Then you have to be quick. The sale opens on May 14 via Split’s website, and with only 50 copies available, it is unlikely that they will be around for long.
