How long does it take to get funded on Kickstarter to become a “success story”? A week? A day, maybe? How about 33 minutes? That’s how long it took the Gin Clear Diver to smash its initial funding goal, which is impressive by any stretch – and speaking of stretches, it hit its stretch goal after just 12 hours. The question is, how? By promising what is probably the most impressive value-for-money diver on the market – that is.
Designed by Australia-based Second Hour Watches, founder Peter Sargison used to have a firm foothold on the corporate ladder until one day he needed a break. The watch obsessive knew what he wanted to do: make something beautiful and lasting. Easier said than done though, and it took endless trials, discussions and actual negotiations before even a hint of a prototype emerged.
When it did, however, it came in the form of the Gin Clear Diver, the first of four watches designed or prototyped entirely by Second Hour Watches. With three more to come as part of the brand’s long-term plans, it’s an impressive start.
This isn’t just a watch, either. As stretch goals go, the Gin Clear Diver is a full-fledged collection. There’s the original quartet of colours, including beautifully textured Black Sand and Cream Sand, as well as attractive Arctic White and Soft Blue, all of which are available with or without a date window. But there’s also a trio of incredible enamel dials. Available in blue, red and green, these have the material’s signature depth and beauty.
The Black Sand version is arguably the focal point of the Gin Clear Diver selection, and it’s not hard to see why. The textured dial is incredible, and the unique green bezel option adds a new, colourful dimension to the design. However, it also illustrates that the watch is more than just an aesthetic twist on a classic dive watch.
With sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel insert, plenty of premium lume, 200m water resistance and a Sellita SW200 automatic movement, there’s no shortage of quality throughout. In fact, from the precision movement to the precision finishing, this is the quality you’d expect from an established Swiss watchmaker, not an Australian startup.
However, the last one has one major benefit: the price. As I said at the outset, this could be the ultimate value-for-money diver. That’s because all of the above will cost you $425 if you order before April 30th, and $570 after that, which is still impressive. Good luck finding anything else that ticks all of the same boxes for that amount.
Now, if you don’t mind, I’d fund this thing while Kickstarter is still open. Even at this price during a kickstarter campaign, the backer discount is more than welcome.
Price and specs:
Brand: Second Hour
Model name: Hour Gin Clear Diver
Case/dial: 41.5mm diameter, stainless steel, fully luminous ceramic or brushed steel bezel, 8 layers of BGW9 SuperLuminova, 6 layers of AR coating, domed sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 200 meters (20 bar)
Movement: Sellita SW200 adjustable in four positions
Strap: Screw-link steel bracelet and fully polished clasp
Price: $425 (if you order before April 30), $570 (regular price), includes leather, zippered travel case and two-year warranty
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