Something Unexpected

From Kobold -

Courtesy of Kobold

Sometimes it pays to explore a website.  Typically you think of Kobold, you think of rugged watches on the wrists of real-world action heroes.  And fair enough, with watches like the Soarway Diver they have secured that space.  But what did I find in the accessories section?  A really cool pair of cuff links with what we referred to in Finnish as jääkarhu - Polar Bears!

The Intrepid

From Kobold

Courtesy of Kobold

We don't hear as much as we once did about Kobold watches these days.  Word around the campfire is that Michael Kobold is focussing upon charitable endeavors and if that is indeed the case, more power to him!  But Kobold is still in the business of making and selling watches, and this one caught my eye.

The case is of stainless steel and measures 44 mm in diameter.  At a time where chronographs are "under dressed" unless they have thirty additional complications this one is wonderfully, blessedly straightforward and clear.  Hours, minutes, seconds and a chronograph function that only measured elapsed time.  The crown and pushers have received a DLC treatment.

The movement is the Valjoux 7750.

Available direct from Kobold for a reasonable $3,350

Doing Good - The Kobold Himalaya

Michael Kobold is a curious fellow.  At a time where it might be easiest to lay up and do the "normal" things like making watches as "usual" he has committed himself and his company to helping the people of Nepal.

Courtesy of Kobold

And to that end, he and Kobold released two watches to raise money and awareness - The Kobold Himalaya -

Himalaya White Tara

From Kobold

Courtesy of Kobold

Typically we think about Kobold as a tool watch, a military watch, a watch of daring do.  And in fairness, their watches have come to earn a reputation as such.  But what I love about writing this blog is that every now and then, a watch company will come up with something completely different from what you have come to expect.  Enter the Himalaya White Tara.

The dial is not a mere image, lithograph, or even painting.  That would be too easy.  This dial is a thangka.  And just what is a thangka?

Thangka is an ancient technique of painting on cotton or silk.  Thangkas often depict images of the Buddha or mandala.  This technique gives the thangka a depth of field and rich form owing to texture of the fabric that is used as the "canvas".  But beyond the challenge of the contour, there is the need to keep the work dry and protected.  Enter Kobold's 43.5 mm stainless steel case.

This particular thangka is the work of Romio Shrestha considered by many to be the leading current thangka artist.  This is the first offering of this series and will be followed by other dials with images depicting the Buddha and other deities.  Each dial is unique and requires no less than a month to complete.

Beneath the beautiful dial ETA's 2892 (decorated with Cotes de Geneve and gilt/skeletonized/engraved winding rotor) ensures that you will be on time. 

It is indeed a beautiful watch paying tribute to ancient techniques and helping to keep important traditions alive.  The only thing I would change would be the strap, but as they say, that is a personal choice ; ) 

The Himalaya White Tara is priced at $8,000.

A New Home for Kobold

This just in from Kobold -

Courtesy of KOBOLD

Kobold Expedition Tools Opens New Headquarters in Amish Country

What If? Update Number 8!

And a BIG THANK YOU goes out to MARVIN for joining the Tempus Fugit Initiative!

We are starting to get some momentum going here, Marvin is lucky number 13!

Our "Band of Brothers and Sisters" has grown to 12 with RESSENCE joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company, SAVOY and Marvin!

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? Update Number 7!

And BIG UPS to RESSENCE!  Our "Band of Brothers and Sisters" has grown to 12 with RESSENCE joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company and SAVOY!

And for those of you have have missed it ; )

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? Update Number 6!

And the good folks at SAVOY have signed on to the Tempus Fugit Initiative - joining forces with Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox and the Oberlin Pen Company!

And because it never gets old -

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What if? A third update!

And we have a few more participants in the effort to aid wildlife rangers in the battle against poaching -

KOBOLD, Aquadive and ISOfrane have joined the initiative!

Keep it coming watch brands!

And thank you!

The Himalaya 41 from Kobold

This is part of Kobold's effort to give back to the people of Nepal.

Courtesy of Kobold

Montana Watch Company - Bridger Field Watch - continued

This is another example of the Montana Watch Company's Bridger Field Watch.

www.montanawatch.com

Chronoswiss Sirus Triple Date

                     

There are some watches that just speak to you - and for me this is surely one of them.  This is the Chronoswiss Sirus Triple Date.  While I could come up with all sorts of cheesy schtick like "Sirus Moonlight" - I have to be honest that this watch speaks for itself.  Chronoswiss is available through very select retail partners here in the US.  I have to start keeping in mind that this little blog now has visitors from all over the world, so regardless of where you live, you can locate a retail partner through the Chronoswiss website:

www.chronoswiss.com

A big thank-you to Christina Golze the PR Manager at Chronoswiss for the image!