Singapore’s BOLDR Supply Company has updated its successful Expedition line with a new line. I likedthe original Rushmore when I reviewed it back in 2017, so I was keen to get my hands on the new and improved model. The Expedition has five variants, each named after famous mountains. They let me try a new 2019 Expedition Rushmore prototype for this review.
The watch is packed in a small stylish box. Its instructions invite you to savor the moment you open it and then share that joy on your social media. I confess, the appeal of the unboxing video eludes me so I passed on that suggestion. It is a perfectly cool little package, but not one that is likely to see the outside of a closet once its moment of internet fame has passed.
As before, the new Expeditions have a Swiss automatic movement, a multi-function rotating inner bezel, dual screw-down crowns, and a double-domed and AR-coated sapphire crystal, but the matte-finished blasted stainless steel case is entirely different. They have swapped the round design for a more aggressive, angular barrel shape that provides stronger wrist presence while retaining the compact proportions of the first-generation watch (40mm wide, 47mm long, 14mm thick). The external bezel is beveled and notched, but fixed in place. I prefer the new case to the original. Not that there was anything wrong with the classic round case, I just think the new one has more personality, while still fitting squarely within the confines of my 6.75″ wrist.
BOLDR makes the case back special on all their watches. This time around, it’s a boot tread in a maze, in high relief and polished on a frosted background. Behind it lies a Sellita SW200-1 26-jewel, 28.8k bph, hacking and hand-winding automatic. It employs Diashock protection and will run about 38 hours without a nudge.
Like the first model, BOLDR has differentiated the crowns by giving the upper one a striking orange band, but on the new one, they have abandoned the knurled texture in favor of the brand’s signature crown, featuring a split design with eight blunt peaks. The head on lower one is signed while the upper’s is decorated with a debossed and lumed orange circle.
The dial is remarkably similar to the first model’s. It bears the same even-numbered 12-hour and odd 24-hour indexes, and an internal 60-minute bezel. Differences are subtle and include slightly angular bars, a black date disk, and the elimination of the compass markings. If found the new dial worked well with the new semi-skeleton hands that are partly white and lumed to their snipped tips, and black from the lower half back to their split tails. A black second hand with an orange and lumed paddle tip provides the finishing touch. The two-tone BGW/C3 SuperLuminova glows long and strong. It is a highly functional dial in true field watch fashion, but with enough stylized details to set it apart from the crowd.
The Expedition’s 20mm custom rubber strap is another eye-catching element. The olive green natural rubber wears an aggressive pattern designed to echo the track-lines of military stealth tanks. Ribs on the underside are intended to help it breathe. I can’t say for certain whether it was any stealthier than any other strap but it was certainly comfortable and looked fabulous.
Overall, I like what BOLDR has done with the Expedition series as all of the best parts remain and the updates all constitute improvements in my book. I’d say it earns its $599 MSRP, but I like it even better at its current $499 preorder price.
For more information or to order your own, see boldrsupply.co and if you are in DC October 12-13, 2019, see more BOLDR watches at the District Time show.
Update 8/1/19: Enter to win a BOLDR Expedition in the Hunt & Capture Expedition giveaway! ⬩
