The Successful Kickstarter Campaign- The Rossling & Co. Automatic

December 27, 2014

As many of you know, the Kickstarter universe has been fertile ground for watchmakers to test the saliency of their design. Oftentimes, these campaigns are flops but every now and then, one brand breaks the mold and has commercial success. The Rossling & Co. Automatic is an example of a successful kickstart campaign. Launched in 2013, the Kickstarter project got funded in under 21 minutes. Their tagline of 'Heirloom quality, ultra-thin, automatic watches. Versatile, fashionable and affordable. With a unique suede strap." caught the attention of the masses.

Featuring an automatic self-winding movement (Miyota 9015), Rossling is producing competitive automatics in the entry-level space. The watch itself sports an elegant 40mm case with a 9mm case thickness. Versatile enough to fit on wrists both big and small, the watch is as versatile as advertised. A minimalist design is complimented with a white dial, blue hands and silver indices. Rossling managed to find the perfect blend of elegance and simplicity.

Currently available for pre-order only, the Rossling Automatic is priced at an affordable $439. For those anxious to get their hands on one, the watches will ship sometime between March-April of 2015. While, Kickstarter campaigns often dilute true horology in search of profits, Rossling has committed itself to making high-quality watches for less. This Holiday season, Rossling is having a sale on some of their quartz watches that feature the same minimalist design. Check them out while they are in stock.

Visit the full line-up of Rossling automatic and quartz watches here

http://www.rosslingco.com/

Rossling Automatic Watch Gallery

Christopher Ward Opens First Boutique Outside of UK

December 22, 2014

English luxury watch brand Christopher Ward recently opened their first boutique outside of the U.K. The new boutique which opened on December 8th in Nashua, New Hampshire, will focus on providing a private concierge-style shopping experience for brand loyalists. Mike France, Co-Founder of the Christopher Ward brand, acknowledged that the U.S. is CW’s second largest market outside of the UK. For those of you who are not familiar with Christopher Ward, the majority of their sales business is web-focused. This departure marks a trend across the entry-level market where brands are increasingly vying to secure brick and mortar locations to expand their presence here in North America. Christopher Ward’s C9 Harrison 5-Day Automatic, the brand’s first in-house movement (Calibre SH21), will be the focus of the new showroom room. Located 45 mins away from Boston, and a brisk 4 hours from NYC and Montreal, Nashua, Hampshire offers a unique space for the brand. Let's see how they do.

Check out the full lineup of Christopher Ward timepieces here- http://christopherward.co.uk/

A Watch to Watch: The Rise of the Smartwatch- Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar

December 19, 2014

A lot of buzz has been generated about the upcoming release of the Apple Watch. The tech industry and the watch industry have had a symbiotic relationship over the past few decades. My goal is to briefly explain the legacy of digital technology in the watch industry and then focus on a great product that I recently had a chance to see for myself.

Since the 1970’s, quartz products have saturated the watch market. From the first widely consumed digital watch- Casio F91-W, to current G-Shocks seen on the wrist of every high-schooler in America, digital technology has been pervasive in the industry. The news of the Apple Watch release was seen as revolutionary to some but for those who know the industry, this announcement was merely the next logical step. While most of the technology behind the Apple Watch is still under lock and key, the touch features of the watch have been disclosed and should be considered. Die-hard techies know that touch screen technology has been around in some form since the late 1970’s. The point of origin is not important however, it is worth while to look at companies that are currently employing this technology on wristwatches.

Swatch Group brand Tissot, in 2013 launched the T-Touch Expert Solar. This smartwatch has been the gold standard for touch screen integration in industry. Featuring an altimeter, chronograph (lap/split), barometer, and compass, the watch has more functionality than I can fathom. The T-Touch Expert Solar comes in at flush 45mm which wore actually a bit smaller than expected. Outside of the vast number of functions this watch offers, the dial presentation is amazing. Displaying both analog and digital time as well as easily marked functions on the bezel, the design is simple enough to function correctly. At first, I rushed to test this watch. I didn’t bother reading the user manual as I figured most people won’t also, I wanted to see how intuitive some of touch functions performed.

Setting the time on this watch definitely requires some getting used to yet, all of the other functions presented on the bezel are a tap away (literally). The watch itself functioned seamlessly and I truly appreciated Tissot’s efforts to made the T-Touch fall in line with Tissot brand image and design aesthetic. The overall styling and in particular the deployment clasp on the leather strap variation, made the watch feel like a Tissot instead of an attempt by Tissot to integrate technology. While pricing most people out of the market with a retail price of $1150 USD, the T-Touch Expert Solar is a very strong offering with a number of extremely useful features. Touch screen integration was done with great attention to detail and it shows. I commend Tissot for making such a strong offering however, the pricing is what prevents the T-Touch Expert Solar from being adopted by the masses. In the future, Tag Heuer as well as a number of other luxury Swiss brands have announced plans to move into the smartwatch space. These folks are a little late to the party, but I am excited to see what the future holds.

Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar Gallery

Five Watches Under $1000 To Consider On Black Friday

November 28, 2014

In anticipation of massive sales and the rampant exploitation of consumerism, here is a list of some watches to consider as you venture out on Black Friday. For the most part, the watches that made this list are pretty mainstream and have been on my radar for awhile. I apologize in advance to those of you looking for some great boutique or vintage pieces. Expect a more exhaustive write up around Christmas time that should include everything from vintage Longines to Dietrich. See below for website information about each of these pieces.

1) Daniel Wellington Classic Glasgow-

It goes without saying that I like this watch and the rest of the DW lineup. A ton of value in a package that is sub $200 USD. With a massive number of quartz options on the market, give Daniel Wellington a proper look. The ability to change out straps gives the Classic Glasgow a timeless look for any occasion- nato or leather strap. Right now if you visit the DW site use the promo code "ivytimewatches" to receive a 15% discount on all products.

Daniel Wellington Classic Glasgow

Retail- $195

2) Autodromo Veloce-

Autodromo is a great brand that is gaining more notoriety among mainstream collectors. Branded as a "motoring" inspired company, Autodromo was launched just three short years ago. Since then, they have managed to create some of the most coveted entry-level pieces. The first collection that Autodromo launched was the Veloce. The "veloce," which means speedy in Italian, is inspired by rev counters on Italian sports cars during the 1960's. For a limited time the Veloce which usually retails for $425 is now priced at $325. The Veloce collection features expert craftsmanship and great design that far outpaces the price. While you visit the Autodromo site, also take a look at the newly released Prototipo blue-dial. The blue-dial is stunning and makes the Prototipo my favorite offering by the brand. If you can, grab both!

Retail- $325

3) Shinola Runwell Sport

Shinola is an up and coming brand that is reviving watchmaking here in the United States. With a few years experience under their belt, Shinola has significantly expanded their brand and offerings. Locations in Detroit, Tribeca, and Los Angeles round out the North American market. Each location offers a unique shopping experience distinct to that location. I had the pleasure of reviewing the Shinola Runwell Sport a little under two months ago. This watch is certainly an eye-catcher and more importantly, it is a great introduction to a brand that does things correctly. The small things matter when it comes to watches- customer service and packaging are key. For a fledgling brand, Shinola has managed to master both of these areas in a relatively short period of time. Consumers are getting much more than a watch. If you can't see the Runwell Sport on your wrist, check out the rest of the Runwell, and Brakeman collections. There is a size, and color for everyone.

Retail- $825

4) Weiss Standard Field Watch

My bias for American brands is becoming so apparent, why not continue the trend. The Weiss Watch Company is doing something really unique in the watch space. Weiss is currently the only American company engineering, and manufacturing their own cases and dials, as well as finishing each movement by hand. With the bar set pretty high, Weiss has managed to surpass consumer expectations and rally a strong following. The Standard Issue Field Watch is their first watch and it is gorgeous ( I love the carbon-dial variant). Seeing one in-person confirms everything that this brand preaches -craftsmanship, fine design, and great attention to detail. Offered in four different dial colors with a plethora of strap options, you simply can't go wrong. Still waiting for one of these bad boys to come in for review- fingers crossed.

* A little note, their watches take 6-8 weeks for delivery so keep that in mind when shopping this Holiday Season.

Retail- $950-$1250

5)Tissot Visodate

This classic is a shoe-in for the list. Tissot consistently delivers great products backed by outstanding brand history. Currently owned by the Swatch Group, Tissot has offerings for every taste. The Tissot Visodate Heritage is a classic and happens to be in the rotation as my daily wear. Understated elegance characterizes this watch. Offered in a number of different dial, cases, and strap options, the Visodate Heritage is an homage to a bygone era of watchmaking. Coming in at a palatable 40mm, the doomed sapphire crystal, and strong Swiss movement add a ton of value to this overall package. The versatility of this watch is second to none among the Tissot lineup. Retailing for a reasonable $650, this watch can be found on various online watch shops for around $500. Snag this watch while you can, you won't regret it (check out Amazon for some serious discounts).