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SUCCESSFUL: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 2:32 pm
by TheJohnP
This Kickstarter launched recently.
The TC-9 bronze Tropical Diver



Reward level 1 is $250 for the Tropical Diver with a Seiko NH35
Add another $132 and you can have a Sellita SW-200 instead.
Next reward level will be $290 once level 1 spots sell through.
Retail price will be around $500 for Seiko or $630 for Sellita.

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Specs:

- Choice of Movement: Seiko NH35a or Sellita SW-200 (+ £100 to your pledge).
- 40 mm Solid Bronze and Titanium Case. A bronze case with a solid titanium crown and caseback (Titanium has been powder coated to match the bronze case). FYI, the case is the same for both movements.
- 48 mm lug to lug (length)
- 14 mm thick
- 20 mm strap width
- 2 piece dial with recessed numbers. Several applications of Green Super luminious paint. Dial has logo etched on. Dial is matte finished with a rough texture to give more definition to the logo.
- 20 ATM (screw down crown)
- Super high domed Sapphire Crystal with AR coating.
- Sapphire bezel insert. High domed insert made from solid Sapphire glass.
- 20 mm Classic Style Rubber Strap (synthetic rubber)
- Choice of caseback: Sapphire glass or solid titanium
- Leather travel case
- 1 year limited warranty from TC-9 watches

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Not familiar with TC-9, but they have had three other successfully funded watches make it to production.
And this appears to be the second attempt by TC-9 to bring this particular Tropical Diver model to fruition.
They cancelled their last Kickstarter, even with full funding. Here's a link to the original campaign:

Here's a section from an update to that campaign where they discuss the cancellation.

"We have received lots and lots of feedback from backers asking us to make design changes to this watch.

The great thing about Kickstarter is you can get this sort of invaluable feedback in advance of production.

We are going to change the design of dial, add lume to the bezel and upgrade to a ETA 2824 movement.

These changes are so significant and will change the design of the watch to the extent that we will need to remake the prototype and use photos of the new prototype for the Kickstarter. This means we will need to end this current Kickstarter. We are not prepared to pre sell a watch just based on the drawings as this will undoubtedly lead to confusion amongst backers as to what they are receiving,"

Re: Preorder: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:37 pm
by Techme
Hmmmm. I wonder how the powder coated titanium crown will look after patina starts to develop on the case?

Sent from my HP Pro Slate 8 using Tapatalk


Re: Preorder: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:51 pm
by konax

TheJohnP wrote: This means we will need to end this current Kickstarter.
Unrelated question to this particular KS, but what happens in such cases? Do the backers get a full refund?
Also, what happens when a project is not funded in 100% ?

Re: Preorder: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 7:04 pm
by Thrax
Wish there were a blue bezel/dial option.

Re: Preorder: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2019 9:54 pm
by TheJohnP
konax wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2019 6:51 pm
TheJohnP wrote: This means we will need to end this current Kickstarter.
Unrelated question to this particular KS, but what happens in such cases? Do the backers get a full refund?
Also, what happens when a project is not funded in 100% ?

Can't say for sure when s creator cancels a project, but assume it follows the same rules of all-or-nothing funding.

All-or-nothing funding means that no one will be charged for a pledge towards a project unless it reaches its funding goal. This way, creators always have the budget they scoped out before moving forward.

From my past experience, you can pledge at the beginning of a campaign and you won't get charged until the campaign ends and is fully funded.

Re: SUCCESSFUL: Kickstarter: TC-9 Watches - Tropical Diver in bronze

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:56 am
by TheJohnP
To follow up, this Kickstarter campaign was...

SUCCESSFUL

100 backers pledged £25,055 to help bring this project to life.