It seems like I just did this, but the Kickstarter and IndieGoGo watch projects are coming thick and fast. Sadly, many of these offerings are highly derivative, with yawn inducing quartz movements, and nary a trace of creativity. So today I bring you four automatics that have taken thier own aesthetic paths. They may not be for everyone, but that is the point.
Visitor Watches Calligraph Duneshore
I already provided the low down on this one in my recent prototype review, but to summarize, the Visitor has a decorated Miyota 9015, wrapped in one of the most enticing cases I have seen, with a tastefully eye-catching dial. The Duneshore’s complex case is 44mm wide, but I found it wears quite comfortably even on a smaller wrist. It has a sapphire crystal, is water resistant to 100 meters, and sports SuperLuminova on its hands and multi-layered dial. It is available in tan, green, or slate blue. MSRP will be $650 but early backers can get theirs for $480 on Kickstarter, starting today.
Adelino Vintage and Elite 50
From North Carolina, we have Adelino. A Swiss made ETA 6497-1 automatic powers their offbeat offerings, the Vintage and the Elite 50. Both have 44mm stainless steel cases, onion crowns and sapphire crystals. The Vintage is available with red or blue sun ray effect dials. The Elite 50 is black sun ray with silver and rose gold accents in a black PVD case. Both models share the same quirky layout. The dial offers a bit more advice than I generally want from my watches, but it certainly stands out. MSRP is $999 for the Vintage and $1999 for the Elite. Kickstarter prices are half that.
Miami Watch Co. Viperidae Series
Moving over to IndieGoGo, we find the Miami Watch Company and their serpent themed Viperidae automatics featuring a Seiko NH35 movement, applied rose gold markers, vintage SuperLuminova, sapphire crystal, and a 42mm dual-crown case with 200 meters water resistance. It is offered in five different case/dial combinations, each named as if it were a member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. The Bum’s pick is the black-on-black Black Mamba. The watches will list for $299 and may be pre-ordered for $199.
Anicorn Series 000
And now for something completely different. Anicorn Watches has taken a Miyota 8215 auto and replaced the hands with concentric discs. The time is shown as the hour, minute, and second discs pass an engraved line at top center. The case is round and lugless, 42mm wide with a black PVD finish. Water resistance is 50 meters. I like the idea of a disc watch and love the fact that this one is automatic. It is a clean, modern design and certainly not boring. The project has 24 days to go but it is already fully funded. MSRP is $320 CAD (@ $283 USD), and Kickstarter pledges are still available for $290 CAD (@ $257 USD).
