OK, you only have a few dozen hours to get behind the crowd-funded kick off of the Marloe Cherwell, but better late than never, am I right? The brand was nice enough to loan me black and white dial versions, and I really liked them. OK, I was probably predisposed, since the watches are hand wound minimalist watches without a date window, but just because a watch was built practically with me in mind, that does not mean I would love it, or does it?
As Matt and I have both mentioned in the past, we have noticed a lot of the same sort of watch being produced on Kickstarter (generally thin quartz two- or three-handers with a lot of marketing fluff). So, to see something crop up that has a bit more original of a design, then that is the sort of thing that makes you sit up and take notice. I am not saying that the Tenero Automatic will set the horological world on fire. It should, however, catch the eye of the those on the hunt for an interesting and affordable watch.
This review is one that has been a long, long time coming. While we tend to work to get things turned around rather quickly on reviews, this is one that slipped down the queue time and again. This is because, you see, this Division Furtive Type 40 is actually my own watch – the first (and only) watch I backed on a Kickstarter project – and as such, got bumped in priority for those coming in on a loan. Well, that oversight is being corrected today. Even though the Division Furtive Type 40 is no longer available, it’s review will set the stage for a later model in the lineup what we will also be reviewing.
ManchesterWatchWorks is one of those brands that we have gotten to watch grow over the past year or so, and we have sampled quite a few of their watches. We have of course taken a look at both their TatoskoQ and TatoskoK, as well as the more recent Westminster and Vergennes. While the more recent watches were trench watches, for this new release, MWW is getting back to where they started – a dive watch. So, let’s have a look at what the newest ManchesterWatchWorks Armada has on offer.
Back in 2014, Matt brought you word of the first project from Hong Kong-based Anicorn, and I believe it is safe to say it was successful, as the brand is back with a brand new watch and project. While they are still utilizing a disc-based system, this one is (in my opinion) much more Anicorn Series K452.
When it comes to watches on Kickstarter these days, there are a great many of what I have taken to referring to as “me too” watches – another inexpensive slimline quartz that is barely distinguishable from those that preceded it. Not that that is anything particularly wrong with a slim quartz watch – it is just that there are so many of them without any real variation in design or styling. In the midst of all of that, we do get gems popping through from brands we have never heard of, and the Concept Watch O1 is certainly one of those.
There was a period when I was intrigued by the possibilities of a wooden watch case. They were a little unique looking, they were not very common, and they were different. Then, in a flash, they were everywhere and generic, and the limitations of the material really came into focus. The Pacific Standard Time Wood Watches hopes to at least limit one of the material’s obvious flaws, a lack of water resistance. It also looks pretty good, though I would have preferred an auto over a quartz chronograph.
Do you want a carbon fiber watch, but don’t want to spend a ton of cash to get one, well, the Ventus Black Kite on kickstarter may be just the ticket. I covered the brand previously with the Caspian models, which were very successful and well received, with the exception of some issues with the lume. With carbon fiber, you can layer the material or you can shred it, melt it and mold it. This latter technique was used for the Tempest Carbon One, but the Ventus Black Kite is using the layering style.
I told you guys to back this project back in November. Well, good things come to thee who wait, because the Cobra de Calibre Crossfire, is currently back on Kickstarter, at a reduced price (and fully funded at this point). I have looked at a number of Cobra de Calibre watches, and keep saying “hey you should check this guy’s work out.” There great success stories where one project turned into two or three and then into a full blown brand, and I am hoping that John Lee will developed a cult following that funds all his projects.
The Caliper View watch offers a tightly designed modern automatic watch that should make every architect and engineer cry. This is a new watch company taking its namesake from the tools used to measure distances between two sides of an object. I got to wear the prototypes to see how they measure up. Read on for my impressions!
