Elka Bespoke

Because you shouldn't be forced to follow the crowd ; )

This a new offer from Elka, the opportunity to design your Elka watch with your choices. It is important to note that this is not an online configurator, rather an opportunity to choose the case, dial, hands, movement, strap/bracelet/NATO, and get a personalized case back engraving.

I their own words:

Create Your Dream Elka Watch: Elka Bespoke

We're thrilled to offer you a unique opportunity to design the perfect Elka watch, one that completely matches your desires and personal style. Forget constraints, embrace the freedom of creation!With our bespoke service, you have the power to compose every element of your future timepiece. Here are the options available to you to bring your dream Elka watch to life:

• Case: Choose between the timeless elegance of steel or the warm sophistication of rose gold PVD.
• Dial: Explore our full range of dials and select the one that catches your eye and defines the character of your watch.
• Hands: Personalize the hands by choosing the shape that will add the perfect finishing touch to your design.
• Strap: For a perfect match and ultimate comfort, opt for the strap that will harmoniously complement your creation.
• Case Back: Reveal or personalize the soul of your watch. You have the choice between an open case back to admire the decorated movement, or a closed case back for a special, unique engraving.

How It Works

1. Express Your Choices: Simply reference the components you desire (for example, "Steel case, Elka X blue dial, dauphine hands, black leather strap, open case back decorated movement").
2. Quick Visualization: Once you've expressed your choices, we'll quickly send you a detailed drawing of your personalized watch. This way, you can visualize your creation even before it comes to life.
3. Validation and Offer: If the drawing perfectly matches your expectations, we'll send you a detailed offer based on the information on our website.

Create a watch unlike any other, an Elka that tells your story. We look forward to helping you craft your unique timepiece.

You can check it all out here -Elka Bespoke

(Re)Introducing Statera

It would seem that once again I have been asleep at the switch! So in fairness, this is not "new" news, but it is for me ; )

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages - 

                            Statera!

Courtesy of Statera

One of their taglines is: 

            "Traditional watchmaking
                with a tropical twist"

And that seems a fitting motto! Statera is based in Maringá. And no, that is not a small community in Neuchatel! You would be forgiven for making assumptions based on the high level of finishing that is on display through the "ready to wear" collection, but Satera is proudly (rightfully so) Brazilian. And unlike so many brands that have an administrative office in their "home country", but use the Swiss elves in white label assemblers to produce their watches, the team at Statera is actually making actual watches!

Courtesy of Statera

Statera is notable for many reasons, but it is clear that the creation of enamel dials is a focal point. In their ready to wear they have two families:

The Opaque Collection - 

Bright Ivory - Courtesy of Statera

Royal Blue - Courtesy of Statera

Deep Black - Courtesy of Statera

Here are the pertinents for the Opaque Collection:

Case diameter: 37 and 39mm

Lug to lug length: 42,75 and 44,55 mm

Case depth: 9,9mm

Case finish: Polished + Satin (Finished by hand)

Strap width: 20 and 22mm

Strap: Handmade leather

Dial: Enamel Grand Feu

Movement: La joux perret G-100

Glass: Sapphire crystal with 5 layers of anti-reflective coating

Hands: Thermally treated by hand in house

Waterproof: 3ATM

Warranty: 2 years

The second collection is the Transparent Collection -

Forget Me Not - Courtesy of Statera

Caeruleum - Courtesy of Statera

And the pertinents -

Case diameter: 37 and 39mm

Lug to lug length: 42,75 and 44,55 mm

Case depth: 9,9mm

Case finish: Polished + Satin (Finished by hand)

Strap width: 20 and 22mm

Strap: Handmade leather

Dial: Enamel Grand Feu

Movement: La joux perret G-100

Glass: Sapphire crystal with 5 layers of anti-reflective coating

Hands: Thermally treated by hand in house

Waterproof: 3ATM

Warranty: 2 years

And as if making their own enamel dials and assembling in their atelier was not enough...

Their watch cases are also produced in Brazil! Per Statera -

The ST02 WatchCase

With over two decades of expertise in the art of habillage, Angelique Chappuis is the mind behind the conception of our watchcases and buckles. Working closely with the Statera team, Angelique transforms technical constraints into sculptural forms, guided by an obsessive attention to proportion, ergonomics, and the subtle harmony between sharp lines and soft transitions.

The cases, offered in 37 and 39mm, are machined and hand-finished in Brazil, where her design vision takes shape through our local craftsmanship. Each buckle follows the same ethos, serving as a natural extension of the case’s architecture.

The result is more than functional, it becomes a tactile bridge between the poetry of the dial and the rhythm of the movement, a frame where mechanics and emotion coexist.

So there you have it! But keep in mind, that is the "ready to wear"! Statera also offers a bespoke experience for the customer who wants to really let their creativity flow!

Getting Personal - A Bespoke Watch From REVOLO

Courtesy of Google:
 
be·spoke

bəˈspōk/

1. 1.

   past of bespeak.

adjective

British

adjective: bespoke

1.

(of goods, especially clothing) made to order.

"a bespoke suit"

I think it is safe to say that we have all had those moments where we wished we could change certain aspects of a favorite watch.  Back in the early part of the century (yes, 17 long years ago) there was a bit of a cottage industry that sprung up where you could get your watch modified.  Anything from hands to custom designed dials.  And that was okay.  You could even, for a price, reach out to the great and the good and maybe get a slight modification to one of their watches.

So when I heard about REVOLO I was both intrigued, and if I am completely honest, a wee-bit skeptical.  As mentioned, others have tried but really failed to deliver on a truly bespoke watch for the watch enthusiast of more modest means.

Spoiler alert - I am now a believer!

I ordered a REVOLO using the brand's online configurator feature and it arrived quite promptly, directly from Amsterdam where it had been assembled, just for yours truly.

Essentially, you go online, you make your choices, pay for the watch, and then the folks in the REVOLO workshop work to assemble your watch for you.

I opted for a 43 mm cushion style case, with a rose gold pvd finish.

Courtesy of REVOLO

  
I added a unidirectional bezel (also rose gold pvd), and a rose gold pvd crown -

 
I selected the blue "sandwich" dial, and a black vintage style leather strap -

secured with a gold pvd buckle.

Courtesy of REVOLO

The movement I selected was the Miyota 821A -

Courtesy of REVOLO

Put it all together -

So, before we get into the review itself, let me explain some of the design decisions.

Way back in 1968, my father was given a gold filled Mido Ocean Star the day before I made my debut in Zanesville, Ohio.

 Yes, the photos are terrible!

Regular readers will know that the Mido my father received and passed on to me is now with my niece.  

So I wanted something with a gold look, ideally without the gold price ; )

The Mido while sentimentally important was a wee-bit too small for my wrist, and as we do not have kids, it needed to go to the "next eligible" family member.

The second design cue came from a brief piece I read in  
The Rake, which was doing a quick take on the actor Michael Nouri.  It listed some of his sartorial trappings and included what was reputed to be a Breguet chronograph in gold -

Shamelessly borrowed from the world-wide infoweb

Now some other things that influenced the decision - I am not (nor do I anticipate ever being) a diver.  I do,  however, like to use a rotating bezel for time countdowns.  I also am a sucker for blue dials and wanted a watch face that looked slightly more formal than plain old indices and dots.  So something semi-sporty, but not a sport watch, and in a gold finish, but not gold (remember pals and gals, I'm a humble English teacher).

I think most of all, I wanted something special, that I would always enjoy wearing.

So to finish it off, there were two additional flourishes:

Like the original Mido, I added a similar inscription.  This watch is for me after all, nobody else!

And as it happens, it was possible to add a customization to the watch box itself, so in for a penny, in for a pound -

Okay, so that's the background.  But let's get down to the proverbial brass tacks:

This is an INCREDIBLY comfortable watch!

Although the case measures 43 mm in diameter, owing to its cushion design it actually curves quite nicely where the lugs curve into the case.  As you can see, it occupies the space but clearly does not overwhelm my wrist.

More importantly, the watch sits flat on my wrist, no slipping or sliding.  And at that point I would like to sing the praises of the strap.  Unbelievably comfortable.  Described as leather, the top of the strap has a nice suede or nubuck feel to it.  All too often, a thick leather strap will not get softer, but rather stiffer (and crispier), not necessarily conducive to a comfortable wearing experience.  Not so with the REVOLO strap.  Soft, comfortable and really nice looking.

The crown is ideally sized, and does not screw down.  Again, given that I am not diving (or swimming) with it, this is ideal for me.  The crown itself is tactile without being "edgy" and the setting and winding motion are unbelievably smooth.  

The timekeeping is (sorry Rolex) superlative!  The folks at Miyota make an unbelievably accurate and robust movement.  More and more brands are making the move to them (even some smaller micro Swiss brands), because to them the cost benefit ratio that the Miyota offers far outweighs the expense and potential fussiness of a Swiss movement which would add a fair bit to the sticker price.  I have been within 26 seconds or so over the entire time period so far.

And the lume was not too bad either -

So all in all, I would highly recommend the REVOLO experience to anyone.  And the best part is that owing to the choice in movements, dials and cases there is not only something for everyone, the price points are downright reasonable.  For right around €500, you get a watch made just for you!  

 
 

Bespoke from Edelberg

This just in from Edelberg -

Courtesy of Edelberg

Bespoke is the latest collection of precision writing instruments from Edelberg.  Available in Gessato (Pinstripe) or Pied de Poule(Houndstooth), the Bespoke is offered in both roller ball and fountain pen versions.