FUNCTION-First DESIGN:

 

1.) Bezel Insert Design

Back when I was racing, I wore a Sea Dweller (because you really can’t hurt those watches) but I was trying to use the elapsed timing bezel to calculate the countdowns until my next heat… and then, in the chute, I would have to remember to look down and reset the elapsed timer again, so I could track my elapsed race time…   

It sucked.  Great watch, but the wrong tool for what I needed.  I needed countdown bezel that would allowed me to set the triangle to the exact time when I would leave the chute, and then once the countdown went to zero, just shift my gaze to start reading off of the elapsed timer… without ever having to reset, or even look down at the bezel, at the worst possible moment.  Because when the count goes to zero… and I pull my ice hooks… I need to unleash hell, not be messing around with my watch.

 

2.) Dial Design

The ‘no date’ Field & Sea dial, has a NON Luminous 24-hour inner track and 3, 6, and 9 markers, which were actually designed NOT glow, so you could orient the watch horizontally, faster, in the dark, so you can focus on the tools…

Because when you are in the dark, it’s really hard to orient your watch fast.  Your eyes can determine the position of the hands, but without a good reference, you can’t tell the time, quickly, nor use the tools on the bezel… and if you spend too much time orienting the watch, you may have to look away for a second, which would cause you to start the whole process over again,  wasting even more time.

 

3.) Choice of Watch Case(s)

I don’t want case styles to prevent anyone from testing our insert design and dial, so for Phase 1, we will offer ‘ready to wear’ watches, in the user’s choice of 3 cases: a “Swiss Diver”, an SXK007, or a heavy duty case that passed our 20ATM pressure tests, repeatedly.  Later we will pair it w our own custom case, but for now, hopefully we have something that will meet your needs, so you can stress test the insert with us, and maybe upgrade to our new case, later, in Phase 2.

 

4.) Choice of Movement

Note I have been told repeatedly a ‘survival watch’ needed to have a solar Eco-drive. The reality is, if you’ve ever spent any time in the far North, or in the extreme cold for extended periods of time, you wont trust things the same way ever again… especially things with electronics and batteries.

That’s why I chose the NH35, for now.  The NH35 is the workhorse of automatic movements and is celebrated for its reliability, hand-winding, and hacking capabilities.  Its widespread use means parts are easily accessible, and it’s recognized by watch repair professionals globally.  Should you ever face an issue, you can quickly find parts or qualified assistance almost anywhere in the world, and be back in action without a huge expense and wait.  And in a pinch, even swap it out, yourself.

In Phase 2 (when we make our custom case’) we will likely offer an option with a Sellita SW-200 Swiss automatic movement, but a custom case with a Swiss movement is completely unnecessary, just to test an insert design.