Do you like empires? Do you like Indonesia? Buddy, have we got a watch for you.
The Elgis WILWATIKTA II is a crowdfunded watch that is styled on the folk art of Indonesia. It runs an automatic Miyota 9015 movement and is made of bronze which reverts to a beautiful patina over time. The dial uses a clever Wilwatikta design that hearkens back to ancient Indonesian art.
The watch has a 41mm dial with beautiful, expressive lugs. It ships in October and costs $420 for early birds.
They’re pretty far from their goal, unfortunately, but hopefully this gives them a little bit of a boost.
While it’s hard to really get your mind around the Majapahit Empire of Indonesia as a theme I think watches like this are important primarily because they celebrate the other. Anyone can make a three hander with a nice face, case, and band. It takes some real inspiration to look further afield for design cues and manufacturing. I, personally, am a fan.
