Forged carbon fiber is, in many ways, a material that you need to see and feel in person to truly appreciate. In photos, it can sometimes come across as looking like just another plastic resin. That said, coming across the material – particularly in the form of a watch case – has been difficult. There have not been many watches taking advantage of it, most of them coming from luxury brands. We have looked at more affordable options from Tempest (here and here), and now a new contender to the forged carbon fiber affordability crown just launched on Kickstarter – the OMW Elementor.
Now, with any prior forged carbon fiber watch that I can recall, the case was just like a Model T – available in any color you want, so long as that color is black. With the OMW Elementor, that paradigm shifts. Sure, by and large the case is mostly black (that’s CF for you) but there are flecks of other colors mixing in there that liven things up. Those colors then transition onto the dial a bit (which has it’s own carbon fiber weave going on), as well as the contrast stitching on the Horween leather strap.
Yeah, there’s another rarity for Kickstarter projects – a Horween strap. The Chicago tannery has been turning out amazing leathers for, well, forever, and having it show up on the On my way! Elementor is another good sign for the watch, if you ask me. Matching that material quality (along with the case, of course) is a sapphire crystal up front, and a Swiss movement inside (Ronda quartz, precisely).
Now, sure, you can guess that with the quartz movement, pricing is going to be lowered a bit, but the OMW Elementor has all of those other bits and bobs that would certainly raise the tag, not the least of which being the forged CF case. Well, Kickstarter projects being what they are, there are some very attractive pricing levels here, with Earlybird pricing starting at about $490. Which, for that case material, is downright affordable. It’s a unique look, and with the inclusion of some color as they’ve done on the OMW Elementor, it’s an interesting proposition.
We’ll be keeping an eye on the project and – if it’s successful – we’ll certainly be working to try to get a sample in for a hands-on review. In the meantime, if you want to jump in on the project, you’ve got until it closes on DATE to pledge your support. Whether or not your picking one up, please be sure to let us know in the comments what you think about color getting mixed in – best idea yet? Or do you feel it makes it look like a linoleum floor? Inquiring minds want to know! project page
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: OMW Elementor
- Price: Earlybird pricing starts at $490
- Who we think it might be for: You’ve missed out on earlier affordable forged CF watches, and don’t mind a splash of color
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Get rid of the oversized date window
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: The addition of color to the forged carbon fiber
Tech Specs from OMW
- 42MM forged carbon round case
- Sporty aesthetics inspired by car rims
- Carbon fiber dial
- Sapphire crystal lens
- Premium Horween leather strap
- Swiss-made Ronda Quartz movement
- 100m WR
