OUTCAST WATCHES

BEFORE YOU BUY: 9 THINGS TO KNOW

1. Be patient: plan on 4–5 weeks, sometimes longer.

Your order locks in, usually within 24 hours.
The watch is built and tested in about 5 days.
It then ships from the factory, which takes weeks.
Customs is the wild card. It's sometimes instant and sometimes a week.
There's no way to predict this exactly, so don't order for a deadline.

2. Our watches are not American made.
They are built by our partners in Hong Kong and drop shipped to you on our behalf. I spend about 2 weeks every year looking for an American solution, and there is basically ZERO.

Everything is cleverly worded: "Assembled in America," "Designed in America," and so on.
Only 3(?) US companies can truly say "MADE IN AMERICA," and their watches cost THOUSANDS and its not really clear if they are 100% or more like 85%.
Since Covid, nearly everyone makes their watches in China, even many Swiss brands.
Many Swiss brands have their parts made in China. They then do just enough finish work, at very high Swiss labor rates, to pass the "Swiss Made" threshold of just over half the cost. Honestly, it's a sleazy industry.

I'm working on a true "MADE IN AMERICA" OUTCAST. Be forewarned: if I pull it off, it will cost well over $5,000, unfortunately.

3. Automatic watches still need to be wound.

An automatic only runs by itself if you wear it constantly.
If you take it off for a day or two, or it's brand new, wind the crown about 50 turns before you set it.
You can't overwind it. An internal clutch protects the movement.
Until it has been wound, it will keep erratic time.

4. Want to take your watch off and not reset it? Choose battery-powered.
The Seiko VH31 quartz keeps running on a shelf and needs no winding.

5. Screw the crown down TIGHTLY, by hand.

Press it in and turn it until it's snug.
A T-shirt gives you a better grip.
Don't use pliers or tools, and don't force it past snug.
A loose crown is the #1 cause of water damage, and it isn't covered by warranty.

5. Use BLUE (non-permanent) Loc-tite (threadlocker) on all screws in your bracelet, OR THEY CAN BACK OUT ON YOU. This is a known 'thing'. The factory sends them 'snug' on the assumption a jeweler will 'size the watch' for you.... but if you do it yourself, you need to understand that you need to remove EVERY screw, and add a touch of thread lock to each one.

7. Join the newsletter.

I basically NEVER write.
Without it, you'll likely have no idea what's going on with your order.
If you don't allow marketing contact, I can only email you about your order.
In that case I can't send you general updates about parts delays or supply issues, crowdfunding info, etc.
So please don't ask me for personal updates AFTER opting out. The newsletter is where the updates go.

8. Report any problem ASAP.
Email Rob right away. The sooner we know, the sooner we can fix it.

9. Service is available.

In the US: we now have an Authorized Service Provider for our watches.
Outside the US: we ship parts or movements when needed and have the watch repaired locally.

THE LINEUP

Start with the 4 basic models. This is how most people order, and it keeps the options from getting overwhelming. They aren't really "in stock" because each one is still built for you. They aren't truly custom either. Fully custom builds remain the longest wait.

Two core cases

Either case can be ordered with the crown on the left ("Destro").

	39mm Field Case	41mm Sub Case
Bezel	Smooth, fixed	Rotating "dive" tool bezel
Water resistance	100m	200m / 20 ATM (pressure tested)
Size	39mm	41mm diameter, 12.8mm thick, 48.5mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lugs
Weight	n/a	144g / 5oz

On all watches

Seiko movement made in Japan: NH35A automatic (time/date), NH34 automatic GMT (hacking, hand-winding), or VH31 quartz
316 stainless steel case (optional black PVD)
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
BGW9 lume on the hands, indices and bezel

Tune it to your job

Finish: silver, or black PVD (costs more, but extremely scratch resistant)
Dial: Adventure (Field & Sea), Marksman (Shooting), Vagabond (All-Purpose) or Voyager (GMT with Date)
Bezel: fixed smooth, or rotating tool bezel

Think of these as starting templates, not locked-in models. Once you know your size and bezel, head into the builder and spec the rest.

CARING FOR YOUR WATCH

Winding (automatics)

Wind it about 50 turns before first use and any time it has been off your wrist.
Winding won't hurt it, because the clutch prevents overwinding.
Daily wear keeps it running. If you rotate between watches, expect to wind and reset.

Crown

Always screw it down fully before water.
Tighten by hand only. Use a T-shirt for extra grip, but don't over-tighten.

Quartz (VH31)

Wear it or shelf it. It just keeps time. Downside, is the battery needs to be replaced every so often, and a never leave a dead battery in the watch or not will leak out and destroy the movement.

ORDERING & SHIPPING FAQ

Are the watches made to order?

Yes. Every watch is built for your order. Occasionally we have finished watches in Fort Lauderdale, clearly marked "In Stock / Ships from Fort Lauderdale."

How long will it take?

Plan on 4–5 weeks:

Order locks in: about 24 hours
Build and testing: about 5 days
Shipping and customs: several weeks, and the least predictable part (customs is instant to about a week)

Demand is high right now, so it may run longer. We hope to offer FBA in the coming months to cut this wait. I agree it's long. I'm working on it.

Where do items ship from?

Complete watches ship from our partner's factory in Hong Kong. Repair parts and small items sometimes ship from Fort Lauderdale. Larger orders and some international shipments may ship parts from Hong Kong.

What if my order has pre-order parts?

New bezels and dials are released as pre-orders. Your watch can't be built until those parts reach the factory, which can add weeks. We'll show the status and estimated dates on the product page.

Do holidays delay orders?

Yes. Chinese New Year and other holidays can close the factory and back up shipping. Expect longer lead times around them.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, to most countries standard carriers can reach. Contact us if you're unsure about your destination.

Do prices include tariffs and duties?

Yes, listed prices include tariffs and similar import costs on our side. Local VAT, GST or sales tax may still be charged at checkout or on delivery.

MOVEMENTS & DURABILITY FAQ

What movements do you use?

Seiko VH31 quartz, NH35A automatic (time/date) and NH34 automatic (GMT), all sourced from Japan. No mystery calibers. These are proven workhorses that watchmakers everywhere know how to service.

How tough are they?

These watches are built for people who are hard on equipment. In 2026, over 70 US Army snipers stress tested the watch and completed an extensive survey. The results will be posted soon. No watch is indestructible, though. There's a line between a manufacturing defect (our responsibility) and damage from use or abuse (not covered). We review every case in good faith.

WARRANTY & SERVICE FAQ

What does the warranty cover?

A 1-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship from the purchase date.

Covered: defects in the movement, case, crown, crystal or caseback, and strap or bracelet hardware defects.
Not covered: normal wear (scratches, dings, strap wear, fading), accidents, impacts, abuse, unauthorized repairs, and water damage from a crown that wasn't screwed down.

Is water damage covered?

Every watch is water tested before it leaves the factory, not just samples. If you get water damage, send it back and we'll test it by our 3rd Part Authorized Service Provider.

If the seals failed, we repair or replace it at our cost.
If the crown wasn't tightened, we repair or replace it for a nominal fee plus shipping.
Custom parts are covered. I don't make a dime off your misfortune, and I negotiated a low rate for quick competent work.

How do I get a repair or warranty service?

Name and contact info
Order number or proof of purchase
Clear photos of the watch and the issue
A short description of what happened and how the watch was used

We'll tell you whether it's a warranty issue and whether we'll repair, replace or send parts for a simple fix. We'll also send an RMA number and shipping instructions. Packages without an RMA may be refused or returned. US customers will be routed to our Authorized Service Provider. See the Warranty page for full details.