Helgray Hornet; A Different Way to do Dual Time

By Matt Himmelstein September 16, 2015

Dual time complications are handy in the modern world, where we may be traveling, have loved ones in a different time zone, or need to work with colleagues across the country or even further afield. One way to track two time zones is with a GMT hand, but most of those are 24 hour hands, which requires a bit of mental arithmetic. Another way to do it is with dual dials, but those are tough to get aesthetically right. The Helgray Hornet takes a third way, with an internally rotating bezel that provides a second chapter ring.

The ManchesterWatchWorks Westminster and Vergennes Head For The Trenches

By Patrick Kansa September 8, 2015

While we have covered quite a few different Kickstarter-sourced watch brands (due to the diligent coverage of Matt), there have not been all that many that we have seen repeat their efforts on the crowd-funding platform. One of the brands that I was impressed with via some time with a prototype (here; of note, we are working on a review of an automatic update to the watch) is back, this time heading back to an era where pocket watches jumped to the wrist of servicemen. Those are colloquially known as trench watches, and ManchesterWatchWorks is back with their Westminster and Vergennes models to commemorate that era.

Tactico Geomaster GMT, Spanish Infuences

By Matt Himmelstein September 4, 2015

It is not an every day occurrence, but more and more I am seeing established (albeit small) brands use crowd funding for the launch of a new product. Tactico is the latest to jump on this trend. Patrick looked at the second offering from this boutique Spanish watch maker back in 2012, and now there is a campaign on Kickstarter to get a variation on their third watch out to a larger audience. The Tactico Geomaster GMT watch is an automatic pilots watch with an ETA movement being produced in limited numbers.

Ferro Watches Airborne, Transportation Mode No 2

By Matt Himmelstein August 27, 2015

Last December, I took a look at a new automotive inspired watch from Ferro Watches, the inaugural offering from the brand on Kickstarter. The watch was funded, and from the looks of the comments on the campaign, delivery is ongoing to very positive reviews. Now the brand is back on Kickstarter with their second watch, a more involved design, and one that takes its inspiration from aviation. I wonder if they will do a trifecta of transportation watches with a locomotive inspiration (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) or nautical inspiration (in the air, on land and sea). Regardless of where they go next, this watch, the Ferro Watches Airborne, and the last one, are making me a fan of the brand.

The CJR Watches Velocita, One Unique Bull

By Matt Himmelstein August 13, 2015

Chronographs are one of the more popular complications for watches, though their actual usefulness can be debatable. I have one chrono which I wear quite often, though I use the chronograph function fairly infrequently when it is on. As a timing device, I find that a rotating bezel is usually good enough to time when I put the meat in the smoker, when I need to get back to the parking meter, or how long I have until the laundry is done (have I missed anything?). But if you want a chronograph to actually time things, the bullhead arrangement, where the pushers are located at top of the watch, is a useful arrangement. Which brings me to the CJR Watches Velocita currently seeking funding on Kickstarter. CJR was nice enough to lend me their two prototypes for a hands on review before the funding period ends on August 20.

Hands On With the R. Paige Crash of ’29

By Patrick Kansa August 12, 2015

One of the benefits of being a watch reviewer is that we get to see a lot of watches, particularly when new ones come on to the market. Or are in the process of coming, which means that on some rarer occasions we do get to go hands-on with a prototype. This is what we have today with the R. Paige Crash of ’29, which is the result of a collaboration between Richard Paige and Mark Carson of Individual Design. Let’s take a closer look at what this collaboration has wrought, shall we?

Wingman Watches Aviation Designs Takes Off on Kickstarter

By Matt Himmelstein August 11, 2015

When I looked at the design of the new Wingman chronograph for sale on Kickstarter, I was taken with the simplicity of the design, and it looked like it was comfortable to wear. When I read the “story” behind the watch, I re-read the same thing I read over and over again with crowd funded watches, countless hours spent designing a quality watch that would be affordable, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then I got to the t-shirt they are selling. “…we only had 2 requirements: Have a simple design; Make it ridiculously comfortable.” To me, this should have been the guiding principle behind the Wingman Watches Aviation designs, because that is what I see when I look at the watch.

Mykonos Design Visus, Keep Your Hands Still

By Matt Himmelstein August 6, 2015

What do you do if you are bored with the same old way of showing time, with the hands spinning about, pointing out at numbers? You could go with a Tokyo Flash design, with their (usually) cryptic digital display. Or maybe a Mr. Jones, with a rotating skyline or the time showing up in a toothy smile on the dial? Or you could head over to Kickstarter and check out the Mykonos Design Visus, Where the lone red “hand” stays still and the numbers rotate around the dial.

Straton Vintage Driver, Get Your Motor Revving

By Matt Himmelstein August 4, 2015

“Driver” watches fill out an interesting style for me. Many of them look like divers, without the rotating bezel, or maybe aviators without some of the classic handset or marker cues. They are frequently loud, and they often times have racing stripes, for whatever reason (how many of us have cars with racing stripes?). But maybe because of the blend of styles, they do get my attention. On Kickstarter, the Straton Vintage Driver has already picked up a lot of attention, getting funded and blowing past their first two stretch goals in just their first weekend on line (with a Friday launch no less).

Azula Watches, Weaving the Fabric of Time

By Patrick Kansa July 28, 2015

Wait a minute, wait a minute – this is a post on a Kickstarter watch that is not written by Matt? That’s right, folks! Not to worry, he is still on the crowdfunding beat, this is just one that I took a particular shine to, so I jumped in to write it up. And yes, this is a project that cropped up before. That earlier project was trying to be a philanthropic effort, but Kickstarter does not allow those. Due to that, Azula Watch took a step back, rebranded and refocused, and came back with their watches. Without any further pre-amble, let’s jump in to see what the Azula Watch is all about.

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