Three watch designers back in March 2016 began the Goldgena Project to challenge the “Swiss Made” label of the Swiss watch industry. Their view is to expose what parts in your Swiss watch are really Swiss. These three are a team of designers from the Cosonova design workshop that was founded in 2005 by designer Claudio D’Amore, and is in the heart of Swiss watchmaking. With more that 11 years of watch design experience designers Claudio, Kevin, and Gaelle have come out with the Code41 watches. Released on Kickstarter November 22 they have already brought in over $411,000 dollars with 765 backers. What makes them different from other crowdfunded watch companies? Transparency.
All aspects of production cost, part sourcing, and logistical costs are disclosed for everyone to see. They are also proud to be sourcing most of their parts from “the best Chinese workshops,” which they clam have been supplying components for Swiss brands for decades. This does not mean that everything will be asian made but this will show what parts are sourced from Asia and other countries. So lets talk about the watches now.
They are offering two Code41 models, the Anomaly -01 and the Anomaly -02. The Anomaly -01 has a stainless steel case. This is a 2 hand model with seconds and date wheels. The dial is a multi level machined look. Movement is a Japanese Miyota 82S7 with a 40hr reserve. The Anomaly -02 has a stainless steel case. This is a 3 hand model with a date window at 3 o’clock. This has a much cleaner and more subtle dial. Movement on this one is a Swiss ETA 2824. Both dials are protected by scratch resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating. The hands on both models are painted with superluminova for night reading. The case for both models are 42mm wide, 50mm leg to lug, and 12.8mm thick. For backers the price for the Anomaly -01 is $482 and the price for the Anomaly -02 is $509. Retail should be around $627 for the Anomaly -01 and $734 for the Anomaly -02.
Both models will be available with case and dial color options. Along with the watches there will also be choice of leather straps to pair with the case and dial color choices. Shipments should begin around June of 2017. Check them out on Kickstarter.
