MoT's WDF

Have we ever considered contacting Undone or Bernhardt watches to see if they might make a custom forum watch? Sort of taking on the $35 mechanical field watch challenge....what if we created our own field watch? (i only mention them because I know they have done collaborations before)

Let's keep it to an affordable field watch? We would probably have to have at least 50 people to make it cost effective.

Targeting Seiko's SNK field series as a baseline for affordability? Maybe get someone to print custom dials for us and then pay a modder to replace and add sapphire? probably pushes the price up to $150 though. Still a heck of a watch.

What are your thoughts?

just to get an idea started here is a pic I found of a mod

I like the idea.

If Undone or Bernhardt didn't work out or was too expensive, there are plenty of Chinese ODM/OEMs that that could be consulted. MOQ (minimum order quantity) could be an issue, but I think I could handle it. I've spoken with who I believe is the OEM for Sharkey/Heimdallr/Etc in the past.

Here are a couple of ideas I just whipped up using the Bernhardt Captain as a base.

I think Momentum Watches do/did runs of corporate watches?
https://ca.momentumwatch.com/collection ... ld-watches
Perhaps a MOT Covid version to remind us all of the need for a waterproof watch...

ManOnTime wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2020 10:12 am I like the idea.

If Undone or Bernhardt didn't work out or was too expensive, there are plenty of Chinese ODM/OEMs that that could be consulted. MOQ (minimum order quantity) could be an issue, but I think I could handle it. I've spoken with who I believe is the OEM for Sharkey/Heimdallr/Etc in the past.

Here are a couple of ideas I just whipped up using the Bernhardt Captain as a base.

The chinese OEMs would be the cheapest but most risky route. What I have seen is that unless you specify every detail of the watch production....they will take the easy way out when given an option. I'm certainly not afraid of that but just thought I would mention that.

Matt, can you reach out the OEM for Sharkey/Heimdallr and see what their MOQ is and thoughts on affordability? If we used the Miyota 82XX series I think those are even cheaper than Seiko NH movements.

I can inquire with some micro brand owners I know as well.

I know Nodus just tied up with a local watch group so they are definitely open. Only 55 available so a rather small MOQ too. If I didn't already have a blue Retrospect, I might have gone in on that.

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Ball recently did a green dial Marvelight for the Australian Watch Group (a Facebook group); I’d be in for that. Rivers Edge is an AD for them so that may be a factor (I don’t know).

BSH recently did a run with SteelDive out of China and I’m not sure what the final MOQ was, but essentially just a BSH branded version of their MM offering. Final price was $150ish. If we use a pre-existing model/design surely that will help contain costs.



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Interesting idea! Nodus or Bernhardt would be my top choice. Looking forward to seeing different design ideas.

I'd be keen. I was part of a forum project over on WUS that was ultimately unsuccessful but was great fun. We were doing that with Steinhart.

I think the key for these projects is clear design parameters (ideally with what is and is not possible clear from the start) and to avoid too many options. Also, the old adage of having "too many cooks" definitely holds true.

Steinhart needed, from memory, 50-odd backers. Chris Ward also does custom orders for 50+ but is a bit more expensive.

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A while back I decided to bypass all of the MOQ/3rd Party vendor malarkey and go straight to making my own MoT watch(es). A few even made their way to some generous and deserving members.

It has, and continues to be an adventure. You can see the epic progression at the following link.

viewtopic.php?t=785

We went from the first two with simple plain dials to fully lumed dials.

Sporkboy wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2020 10:06 am A while back I decided to bypass all of the MOQ/3rd Party vendor malarkey and go straight to making my own MoT watch(es). A few even made their way to some generous and deserving members.

It has, and continues to be an adventure. You can see the epic progression at the following link.

viewtopic.php?t=785

We went from the first two with simple plain dials to fully lumed dials.

428875DC-8DFA-4113-A8C9-78A9545688B1.jpeg93F6584C-F00B-43A0-85B2-59DA40C4B07C.jpeg6202AC7C-9409-4810-A54C-D68FFA6DB7DD.jpeg

Please don't think we're not appreciative! I have to be honest, every time I see "MoT forum watch", your username pops into my head.

Sporkboy wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2020 10:06 am A while back I decided to bypass all of the MOQ/3rd Party vendor malarkey and go straight to making my own MoT watch(es). A few even made their way to some generous and deserving members.

It has, and continues to be an adventure. You can see the epic progression at the following link.

viewtopic.php?t=785

We went from the first two with simple plain dials to fully lumed dials.

428875DC-8DFA-4113-A8C9-78A9545688B1.jpeg93F6584C-F00B-43A0-85B2-59DA40C4B07C.jpeg6202AC7C-9409-4810-A54C-D68FFA6DB7DD.jpeg

I still have the very first MoT watch (yellow Janata). Over the course of modding the movement stopped working. Still, I kind of feel that MoT should probably have it even though it would be tiny on him.

If we want to go the Swiss route, here are some private label firms we could contact for ready made and/or custom requests.
No clue on pricing or minimum orders.
But some research options.


Blanchefontaine
- http://www.blanchefontaine.com/index.php?lang=en

Cattin (they produced the Codek Spiral)
- https://www.cattin.swiss/

Chrono AG (they manufacturer the Swiss Military brand)
- https://www.chronowatch.ch/en/

Roventa Henex
- https://roventa-henex.com/

Timestar GmbH
- http://www.timestar.ch/#home

Uhren von Uhr private label
- https://private-label.uhr.info/en/

Walca
- https://www.walca.ch/

Watchmakers
- https://watchmakers.ch/

Xantia
- https://www.xantia.ch/v2/en/

ManOnTime wrote:

Sporkboy wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2020 10:06 am A while back I decided to bypass all of the MOQ/3rd Party vendor malarkey and go straight to making my own MoT watch(es). A few even made their way to some generous and deserving members.

It has, and continues to be an adventure. You can see the epic progression at the following link.

viewtopic.php?t=785

We went from the first two with simple plain dials to fully lumed dials.

428875DC-8DFA-4113-A8C9-78A9545688B1.jpeg93F6584C-F00B-43A0-85B2-59DA40C4B07C.jpeg6202AC7C-9409-4810-A54C-D68FFA6DB7DD.jpeg

Please don't think we're not appreciative! I have to be honest, every time I see "MoT forum watch", your username pops into my head.

The same for me!