Definitely NOT the Last Windup!

Two truly great watches from an American original - Dave Berghold of the Last Wind-Up.

Courtesy of Last Wind-Up

For those of you old enough to remember, way back around the turn of the century 2 guys formed what would become the Montana Watch Company. I do not know, and have not asked why they went their separate ways. Mr. Nashen continued on as the sole proprietor of the Montana Watch Company, Mr. Berghold focused on his business with the Last Wind-Up, and that was that. On a personal basis the newer (minus Berghold) iteration of the Montana Watch Company was a tough one for me to get behind owing to some of the marketing/ partnership choices as well as the use of...

Babar

Okay, maybe not Babar, himself. But elephant. The Montana Watch Company offered (and for all I know still offers) a watch strap made of elephant. And also in the past has supported a group that actively promotes trophy hunting. Longtime readers will note that I view individuals who travel thousands of miles and pay tens of thousands of dollars to shoot at large, slow-moving, endangered animals with about as much respect as frat boys liquored up on Red-Bull and Vodka who organize "Bum Fights" in the 7-Eleven parking lot. 

So needless to say, I was quite enthusiastic to hear about this new Montana based watchmaking project from CC Shermer of Jardur.

Courtesy of Dave Berghold Watches (DB Model 1A)

These are the first two models from Mr. Berghold's new collection, and they are very, very cool! The model pictured above is the DB Model 1A. The dial is enamel/painted from Germany. The Case is German (Ickler) as well. The movement is Swiss, the hands are French.

And this one is...currently sold out. I honestly do not know whether or not more will be made, but I certainly hope so as I was once again late joining the conga line.

Courtesy of Dave Berghold Watches (DB Model 1B)

Model 1B is a bit more of a modern take. Both are hand-winding with a small sub dial at 6 o'clock.

I will reach out to see if Mr. Berghold will favor us with an interview, but for those of you who might have missed it, these are both pretty swell timekeepers.

They are priced (I think) quite fairly at $1,950 US, and available from the Last Wind-Up in Bozeman, as well as from Long Island Watch Company.

With luck more details to come, stay tuned! 

American Watchmaking - Truth in Advertising

So it is the 4th of July, and it seems a day to talk about American watchmaking.  And this is not an easy topic because frankly, there is a LOT of noise out there and big publicity machines droning on ceaselessly about how Shinola is bringing watchmaking back to the US.  That's right, apparently RGM,  Towson Watch Company, Montana Watch Company and the dynamic duo of Loatman and Thompson have done NOTHING.  No doubt this is news to many of you ; )

Publicity is a funny thing.

Now let's talk about what is good about Shinola - they are employing people in a part of the country that absolutely needs jobs.  They have trained these folks to assemble a quartz movement from a kit.  Now while I would disagree with the statement that the movements are manufactured in Detroit, I will grant that kits are being assembled from parts and components by folks in Detroit.  And that is to be commended!

I want to see more American enterprises - and I want to see honest endeavor recognized.   And let's be very clear, there is NO 100% "down home" American made watch at the moment.  But as is often the case, it's not what is said, but HOW it is said.  And if we are very OBJECTIVE about this, we do not know whether or not this will be an heirloom watch that will be handed down from generation to generation.  We can hope, and hope is a good thing!  So while we're hoping, let's hope that Shinola will do something more.  Take some of these folks you are employing and send them to a real watch making school.  With the amount of money you are spending on advertising and marketing I feel quite confident you can afford it ; )  And THIS would really show your commitment to the people of Detroit, and a real commitment to building more than just a marketing project, but to truly build something sustainable.

Happy 4th of July!

And in honor of the 4th, some American based watch companies -

Courtesy of the Montana Watch Company

This is the Bridger Field Watch from the Montana Watch company.

Courtesy of RGM and Chronometers.org

The Pennsylvania Tourbillon (MM 2) from RGM

Courtesy of Towson Watch Company and Chronometers.org

And the Moon Phase Chronograph Cockpit from Towson Watch Company

Montana Watch Company - Bridger Field Watch - continued

Of all of the Bridger Field Watch variations, I have to say that this is one of my favorites!  Stainless steel, simply stated but not simple-minded!

www.montanawatch.com

Montana Watch Company - Bridger Field Watch - continued

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

www.montanawatch.com

Montana Watch Company - Bridger Field Watch

This is the first in a series of posts about the Montana Watch Company's Bridger Field Watch. It has actually been more than a few years since the Montana Watch Company appeared on the scene, but I also suspect that this might be something new for some of you.  I will be posting more detailed information in the coming week on the Bridger Field Watch and the Montana Watch Company, so stay tuned - this is just something to get you started thinking about it.

If you want more information right away, check them out at:  www.montanawatch.com/