the OCEANIS automatic watch

The OCEANIS is a custom designed automatic mechanical watch. It has all the design characteristics of watches that cost in the thousands, with all the features demanded for real-world professionals.

This is a custom designed watch in what we hope will be the first of a series. Your pledge will help us finish a few key elements to take this watch from prototype to production!

THE ORIGINS OF DESIGN

I served in the Navy in the 1990s. Much of my time was on board the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. During my service I found myself in a wide variety of situations that included flying in aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, and SH-60 Seahawk. Other Navy adventures included a swim call off a submarine 100 miles off the cost of North Carolina, and SCUBA diving in Hawaii. I served outdoors during the cold winter months, during heat of summer, and of course, on the bridge of the ship while at sea. These experiences were big influences when I set out to design the OCEANIS. I wanted a watch that was not only stylish, but also had the features to handle real world, high demand situations.

Designing a watch that is made to be used in the real world, is why the OCEANIS includes features like being pressurized to 300 meters with a screw down caseback, and luminescent markings. This isn’t a dive watch for show.

The fonts of the numbers were carefully chosen based on the classic styles of dive and military watches. The 24 hour numbers are another helpful feature for military time. The second had has a red tip and luminescent circle to make it easy to read, but the rest of it is black in order to blend with the back face and not interfere with or distract from the rest of the watch.

Why the leather strap? This seemed to be the right way to go with most customer design preferences. It can easily be swapped out with a rubber strap for diving or swimming. (No, don’t get the leather band wet.)

THE OCEANIS SPECS

THE MOVEMENT - the new NH36a

We chose the new Seiko NH36a because it is the latest superior functioning automatic movement from one of the world’s most proven and trusted movement makers. The NH36a has significant improvements over its predecessor, the 7S26, and the established Miyota 8215. The NH36a incorporates 24 jewels, for excellent mechanical function and wear. In addition, this movement includes a hacking second hand—necessary for setting exact time, or synchronizing with other timers. Other important features include quick day & date correction, and shock resistance—creating an excellent experience when wearing and using the watch each day. These qualities make the NH36 24-jeweled movement a superior cost vs. benefit choice.

WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS

The watch you see in the video and in these images is a prototype. There will actually be small changes to the production version. The crown will not protrude quite as much (Prototype is 6mm, production will be 4.5mm). Also, the triangle at the top of the bezel will be a black triangle with a luminescent marker in the center.

We plan to produce 300 watches in the first run.

Packaging has been designed and vendors chosen. The user manual is being designed. However, the packaging and user manuals will have to be ordered, which is part of where your pledge comes in.

The website is being designed and will need to be programmed.

If we can raise the money from this campaign we will be able to order the packaging and user manual, finish the website design and programming, get our production models, and start taking orders for the watch.

A NOTE ABOUT THE VIDEO

Music in the video: "Time (to Get Funky)" by Lance Lindley, used with permission.

Lance can be reached at hagakure@yahoo.com if you're looking for original music.

REWARDS!

Our biggest goal with this Kickstarter project is to get the OCEANIS out into the world so it can be worn and enjoyed by people who really love mechanical watches. As a result, the best reward we are offering for your support is an OCEANIS for a great price! The OCEANIS will retail for $399. Through this Kickstarter campaign, you will be able to get one for $250, or as low as $225 each if you order more than one.

We are also offering travel mugs and fleeces featuring our logo to celebrate the Kickstarter launch. There is also a great postcard and poster featuring our model. If you choose a reward that includes a fleece, you can pick what size you would like at the end of our Kickstarter campaign.

We genuinely wish we could create every reward to include an OCEANIS watch. Obviously, that isn’t practical. So, we are offering usable items that include the company logo along with some great imagery to celebrate your love of watches. Remember, it’s not just about the rewards, you’re helping create this watch! Check out all the rewards here and alongside the campaign to the right.

All U.S. shipping is free, but if you are an international friend, please add 5USD to your pledge.

• $5: A handwritten thank you on a postcard featuring our model!

• $24: A sweet travel mug with our logo! (not a cheapy, this is the kind you'll actually want to use)

• $25: The greatest watch poster ever featuring our model. For you guys who have admired the images on our Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/ansteadwatches)

• $75: A great fleece (black) featuring our logo – get on the brandwagon!

• $95: A fleece with our logo, plus the travel mug, plus a postcard of the watch being worn by our model!

• $250 (limit 100): THE NO-BRAINER PLEDGE. An OCEANIS watch! You’ll see that the OCEANIS rivals automatics that sell for $800.

• $450: (limit 20) TWO OCEANIS watches. (Only $225 each!)

That pretty much sums it up. We really appreciate all of your support. Thanks again for checking out the OCEANIS!