I do sometimes complain about the lack of real individuality in crowd funded watch projects, so when something unique comes across our Tips line, I want to cover it, even if it not something I could see myself wearing. The Thirsty Watch Co. Vintage Soda watch on Indiegogo is exactly that type of project. It is unique, it will probably appeal to a fair number of people, but it just isn’t for me. But that does not mean it is without merits.
Off the bat, I tend to be a little more leery of projects on Indiegogo than on Kickstarter, but there are actual prototype images up of the Thirsty Watch Co. Vintage Soda watch, so at least that threshold has been covered. The details on the watch itself are not groundbreaking, and they can certainly deliver a Chinese made watch with a Miyota quartz movement for the around $75 asking price, so for me, I would not be too concerned. They have raised about 13% of their goal in the first 12 days of the project, so there is a chance they will not make it, but with fixed funding, you don’t commit unless the threshold is met.
So with my crown funding caveat out of the way, what about the watch? At 35mm, it is smaller than I would typically wear, but it is not too small for a unisex design, especially if you are going to pair it with some skinny jeans or a vintage look. The dial itself is inspired by vintage soda brands, with a large central disk with the soda pop logo spinning as a second hand. I wonder if they are planning on doing record labels next? The central disk obscures the hour hand and most of the minute hand, so you end up with a round marker just outside the central disk for hours and rectangular hand for the minutes. Beyond the kitsch factor with the vintage looking label, it is not a remarkable watch, though it is not too expensive and isn’t unattractive.
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Thirsty Watch Co. Vintage Soda
- Price: €69 (about $75) plus shipping
- Who we think it might be for: Hipsters.
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: No.
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Increase the size to around 40mm.
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: It is fun.
Tech Specs from Thirsty Watch Co.
- Movement: Miyota quartz
- Functions: spinning disk second hand
- Case: Not specified
- Crystal: Not specified
- Water resistance: Not Specified
- Lug width: 18mm
- Straps: Various
- Diameter: 35mm
- Case Height: Not specified
