About
Straton Curve-Chrono watch and Leather driving gloves
CHF 207,364
484
Straton Watch Co. was started in 2015 by Kyle, a 30 year old classic car and watch enthusiast who combined his passions to create a brand which is exclusively automotive themed.
In July 2015 Straton Watch Co. launched its first Kickstarter campaign to fund the Vintage Driver Chrono. After 35 days on Kickstarter it raised a total of 157'000chf (Approx. $158'000) smashing its goal by over 1000% and continued successfully to deliver as planned and on schedule about 800 watches to customers around the world. The feedback since has been very positive.
With the success of the first model, Straton Watch Co. returns to Kickstarter to launch the Curve-Chrono!
The goal of designing the Curve-Chrono was clear, a 70's retro feel with styling cues paying tribute to the great watches, cars and races of this era. Many watch brands have tried to replicate this style and we feel we have completed a tasteful rendition that is unique in its own way. There are subtle touches in the design which reflect each of its influences, and those who recognize these will appreciate them.
The name Curve-Chrono was chosen as Curve in Italian means "curves, bends or corners". One particular race which was held over the decades leading up to and during the 1970's was the Targa Florio, a road race held in Italy's Sicilian mountains. The original circuit called the "Grande" consisted of approximately 2000 corners on one lap covering 148km, later the circuit was reduced to the "Piccolo" circuit which consisted of around 900 corners on one lap and covering 72km.
If we compare the length of the Targa Florio to the Nordschleife-Nürburgring circuit in Germany, which is mammoth in size by today`s standards it consists of around 73 corners and is 20,8km long, this comparison puts into perspective the sheer size and endurance drivers faced. The Targa Florio was later discontinued in 1977 due to safety concerns and road conditions. Although the original race has been discontinued it celebrates it`s 110th Anniversary in 2016 and is a route that is part of the Italian Rally Championship.
By supporting this Kickstarter you will be able to create the watch that you want from the options below. These options will be decided by you after the Kickstarter has ended by means of a survey you will be sent to complete, for now you just need to select how many watches and the movement selection by choosing the correct reward:
- Two case sizes 39.5mm or 42mm, you have a choice of either
- Two movement options, the first a 110 piece Limited Edition Automatic with a Seiko NE88 Column wheel movement. The second a Seiko VK64 meca-quartz (explanation of both movements below)
- The option of with or without date window
- Seven racing inspired NATO straps, you have a choice of 2 out of the 7
- A choice of two case back designs inspired by legendary wheel/rims
There are 5 Variations of the Curve-Chrono, Versions A-E. The straps pictured with each watch below will come as standard for example, if you choose Version A you will receive the brown leather strap with the watch. Below you see the option either with or without date:
Continuing the automotive influence we have extended the range of racing inspired straps to seven designs in total. With each watch pre-order you will receive the strap which is featured above on each watch AND the choice of 2 out of the 7 racing inspired NATO straps on offer:
For the Curve-Chrono we are offering 2 case back designs and you will get to choose which one you would like for your watch. These designs are inspired by legendary wheels/rims which some of you may have on your personal car:
After requests from backers of the 110 piece limited edition Automatic Version of the Curve-Chrono watch for a display case back I can now confirm this will be offered as a third case back option for backers of the Automatic version of the Curve-Chrono, here is a render of what it would look like:
Want to read an independent review of the Curve-Chrono? Checkout The various reviews below by clicking on the photo.
Review by Tristano from The Urban Gentry Channel:
Review by Worn&Wound:
Review by The Watch Report:
A review by The Time Bum:
For those Spanish readers, Tiempo Dinámico blog and their opinion of the Curve-Chrono:
The Curve-Chrono is available with two movement options from one of the most reliable movement manufacturers worldwide, Seiko/TMI. The first the NE88 automatic movement and the second the VK64 Meca-Quartz. Why have we chosen two movements instead of one? Both movements we chose are top quality movements, some customers prefer Automatic movement and some prefer a Quartz movement and price is also a decision factor.
The NE-88 is Seikos flagship Automatic Chronograph movement found in watches with usually high price tags such as the Grand Seiko. Only 110 NE88 Automatic movement Curve-Chrono watches will be produced and therefore a LIMTED EDITION. The movement runs on a high frequency of 28.000 beats per hour. The NE88 has a vertical clutch that eliminates the "jumping seconds hand" at the start of a chrono measurement. The column wheel is a feature that coordinates the chronograph functions in a way that ensures consistant operation and less stress for other components. The power reserve is a very acceptable 45 hours and has 34 Jewels.
The second movement option the VK64 meca-quartz, now what exactly is 'Meca-Quartz? - A movement developed by Seiko is a hybrid movement which combines the accuracy of a quartz watch (+/- 20 seconds average per month) with a Mechanical Chronograph (5 beat per second sweep chronograph hand and fly-back chronograph reset). What this means is the Chronograph second hand is mechanical and moves with a sweeping function and not like a Quartz watch which has the "ticking" function. The VK64 has no running seconds hand. For more information and detailed specifications of the Seiko VK series please visit the Time Module website.
- Case Material - 316L (Surgical Grade) Stainless Steel, Polished and brushed steel - Version E black is DLC coated (Diamond like Carbon)
- Case Size - 42mm and 39.5mm
- Lug To Lug - 42mm case: 47.4mm
- Lug To Lug - 39.5mm case: 46.5mm
- Case Thickness - 13.9mm without domed sapphire, 14.5mm with
- Movement - Seiko NE88 Automatic
- Movement - Seiko VK64 meca-quartz hybrid
- Crystal - Domed Sapphire Crystal
- Hands - Luminescent Hour Hands, C3 Superluminova
- Crown - Screw down
- Inner rotating bezel, tracking a second time zone
- 2 stamped case back designs
- Strap - 42mm case 22mm width, 39.5mm case 20mm width, genuine leather or stainless steel mesh, included 2 NATO straps of your choice
- Water Resistance - 10ATM/100m
- Warranty - 24 Months
Every person who has owned an ordinary watch box knows that they are useless and are often left locked away and forgotten about. We have created a watch case which was purposefully made to store not only a watch but also the extra straps that come with each watch, furthermore we wanted the packaging to be durable and something which could be taken along on those road trips knowing that your watch is safely stored when not on your wrist. Finished off in Vintage brown we think it fits perfectly with the 70's theme of the watch.
A great pair of driving gloves is meant to enhance your driving experience which is why we decided to create just that, a great driving glove. Crafted from genuine leather in a classic style with breathing holes for maximum comfort and grip we think you will not own a better pair.
Straton driving gloves will be available in 7 different colors, 5 men's sizes and 3 ladies sizes. The choice of color and size will be made after the Kickstarter has been completed, you will be sent a survey with the relevant information for you to complete.
By backing this project today you will be helping us fund the first full production run of the Curve-Chrono and leather driving gloves and in exchange by choosing one of the rewards on offer you will be receiving a watch or gloves or both at a reduced pre-production price. The Curve-Chrono is expected to retail for around $499 for the meca-Quartz, $999 for the Automatic and the gloves $149 so backing today ensures you get them at a discounted rate.
If we reach the projected funding goals below it will unlock free upgrades:
The prototypes of the Curve-Chrono and driving gloves have already produced and approved and we are ready to go to production. We will begin production once the Kickstarter has ended and surveys have been completed. We have been conservative with our timeline as we would rather over estimate than under estimate:
Stefan Boll Creative Producer - He created our awesome launch video to contact him or to view more of his work visit:
https://www.facebook.com/WeddingToLove
https://www.instagram.com/bollissimo/
Backercamp - they provide the best pre-campaign launch support!
"Citing Sources":1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Targa_Florio 2.http://www.nuerburgring.de/en/fans-info/race-tracks/nordschleife.html
Risks and challenges
We realize creating and delivering a product is a complicated process and sometimes with unexpected delays, however this is why we have taken the up most care and diligent preparation. We have the experience gained from our first Kickstarter which was delivered on time and as scheduled.
We have a well-established relationship with reliable manufacturing partners, tried and tested prototypes and are confident in the quality.
As we have done in our previous campaign, we're going to keep our backers/buyers informed during the production process and this will be done with regular updates and sharing pictures as often as possible, for example machining and tooling of cases, dial preparation, final assembly, movements and packaging.
As we believe in the best customer service and experience as possible we guarantee no question will go unanswered for more than 24 hours. If along the way we find that there is a setback in production, or there is a delay somewhere during process in the timeline, we will be transparent and keep all of our backers informed.
The future looks bright for Straton Watch Co. and believe not only in a quality product but also TOPNOTCH service.
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Funding period
- (35 days)