Anstead Watches is launching the OCEANIS, a mechanical watch inspired by the ocean and designed for real-world professional use.
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!
FAQ
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Currently, there is only a leather band option. HOWEVER, THERE IS A SILICON BAND BEING DESIGNED NOW AND WILL BE PART OF THIS KICKSTARTER PROJECT SOON!
Down the road, I hope to have several other branded band options.
If this project goes well, I hope to make a specific Anstead branded rubber strap option, and possibly stainless steel as well with various clasp options. As a start-up, there hundreds of decisions that are made and I am attempting to bring a great watch to market. I will continue to listen to feedback and offer options (and new watch designs) that people most want.
As this Kickstarter campaign progresses, I may be able to offer another band type.
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The band is 24mm, one of the most common sizes.
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The current model has a 44mm case. There will be 300 of these watches made in this first run. I have no plans to make a 40mm or 42mm version. However, there may be other sizes in the future if the demand is there.
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In the pledge section for the watches I wrote that the estimated delivery is November 2012. I hope it is October, but with manufacturing changes, getting packaging, and even completing the user manual, that time may shift a bit, but I'm not expecting much. The watches are being made now and should be done soon.
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There is a 1-year limited warranty.
The warranty covers material defects and faults in craftsmanship. The warranty does not cover defects caused by outside force or improper use, nor does it cover regular wear-and-tear from normal use. Outside modifications and third party repair attempts of any kind will void the warranty.
To have a watch serviced under warranty, please mail it to the address that will be given to you when you recieve your watch. I will have you information documented so you will not need to fill anything out for the warranty. Kindly include a detailed description of the problem and your contact details so that I may follow up with you once the watch arrives. Please note that Anstead is not responsible for the cost of shipping the watch to be repaired.
If you receive is not working due to shipping, I will replace it.
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Domestic ship within the United States is free.
If you are in Canada, please add $5 to your pledge.
If you are overseas, please add $10 to your pledge.
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Luminescent paint is strontium aluminate-based based nonradioactive and nontoxic photoluminecent or afterglow pigments. The OCEANIS has hands and markers that are painted with Superluminova so when exposed to light will glow for hours without doing anything like pushing a button.
The afterglow of Superluminova paint is not due to reradiating energy it "captures" from incident radiation (visible light). The process is called photoluminescence. This is why one has to "charge" it. There is an internal process that delays part of the reradiation and this is the "afterglow". This paint will not lose its ability to reradiate light like the old tritium-doped zinc sulfide paints. Those paints radiated light. Those paints glowed via fluorescence (induced via beta decay of nuclide) not via photoluminescence.
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Tritium has qualities that make it glow brighter than SuperLuminova, therefore making it desirable by some to use in watches. However, tritium is a radioactive material that emits light, using florescence, rather than Sueperlum that uses the property of photolumenececence. This mean that tritium loses its light giving capacity over time. In time, the tritium would no longer emit light.
Tritium is also highly regulated in the United States and falls under the jurisdiction of the US http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Regulatory_Commission. There are also known health risks in using tritium. More information can be found online here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tritium_illumination
In all watch designs there are tradeoffs. Just as many high end brand have turned to SuperLum, I felt that was the best choice for this watch.
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The engraving will actually be in various directions from watch to watch. There are two reasons the engraving does not go straight up and down on the watch back. FIRST, the watch has a screw down back, which helps make it water resistant. SECOND, to engrave it so when it is screwed down and torqued appropriately, to get the engraving to line up straight is very expensive.
It ended up being a trade-off to get an engraved, screw-down caseback and still keep the cost down.
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Simply go to "Manage Your Pledge" and increase the amount by $40. I will keep track of those and ship a silicone band with you shipment.
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SILICONE STRAP (Black). This silicone strap will allow you to use your watch in the water. It is fully branded with the name and logo as well as an engraved brush stainless steel buckle. Please see the UPDATES section for images, info, and a FAQ section.
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Pledge $250 or more
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(THE NO-BRAINER PLEDGE. An OCEANIS watch! You’ll see that the OCEANIS rivals automatics that sell for $800.
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Pledge $275 or more
You selected10 backers All gone!
An OCEANIS watch! You’ll see that the OCEANIS rivals automatics that sell for $800.
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $275 or more
You selected40 backers All gone!
An OCEANIS watch! Since there is still plenty of time left on this project, 40 more watches are being released! Still way under retail price!
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Pledge $275 or more
You selected40 backers All gone!
An OCEANIS watch! I was not expecting to release this many watches, but as the word spreads, I want to keep this price for people who are just finding out about the project. Thanks for your support!
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Pledge $450 or more
You selected5 backers All gone!
TWO OCEANIS watches. (Only $225 each!)
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $500 or more
You selected5 backers All gone!
TWO OCEANIS watches for $250 each!
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Funding period
- (30 days)
