May 2017 – Team Matick

#LookCloser – Boldr Watches – The Odyssey

May 24, 2017 The Matick BlogLeave a comment

Introduction

Marshall

BOLDR Supply Co. is a relatively new lifestyle company conceived in a land very close to The Matick Blog’s home, namely the island city-state of Singapore. Founded by three gentlemen brimming with passion for great design with a purpose – Travis, Leon, and Isa, BOLDR is a little-known brand which I have come to respect in recent years.

The brand’s philosophy revolves around the idea of an active and adventurous lifestyle, championing a never-ending pursuit for adventure. Given my interest in urban exploration, these concepts resonate especially with me on a personal level, as they touch on things I can really relate to as well as appreciate.

About a month ago I had the opportunity to sit down for coffee with the co-founders of BOLDR – Isa and Leon, whom are now both good friends of mine. That occasion was also the very first time I saw a pre-production prototype of the Odyssey in the metal. Having witnessed the watch come to life from draft sketches, I was genuinely impressed with how far their designs had evolved and improved (you might remember the Voyage ‘clever’ watch, and the Journey Chronograph). That is, I actually quite like the overall design of the BOLDR Odyssey. Big props to the BOLDR team for coming up with a watch with a unique aesthetic as well as functionality, whilst retaining the key elements of the brand’s design DNA.

Before diving into the review proper, I would like to say a big warm thanks to Isa and Leon on behalf of Team Matick for the opportunity. Without further ado, here’s a quick summary of my time with the BOLDR Odyssey.

*Note: Instead of regurgitating the Odyssey’s specifications (which you can find here), I would much rather use this space to express my own thoughts on the Odyssey, now that I’ve spent some quality time with it.

“Despite its somewhat quirky design, it possesses a very natural and organic vibe, never giving the impression of being forced.”

Marshall, on the Odyssey’s overall design.

Design and variations

The Odyssey’s design is clearly a big departure from BOLDR’s earlier conceptions, opting instead for a vastly modern styling in comparison to the vintage-inspired Voyage and Journey. Here, we have five different variants to choose from – Steel Blue as seen here; Ever Black with a DLC coating and White Storm with a white dial and an IP-Titanium bezel. I was also informed that the other two variants have some slight cosmetic differences, a Swiss STP1-11 movement, and a slight higher price tag (approximately $100 USD more) – the Steel Blue S, and the Meteo Black with a genuine meteorite dial.

From a holistic design perspective, the Odyssey possesses an instantly familiar aesthetic, one which can be found on any other proper dive watch. That is to say, the Odyssey bears all the requisite hallmarks of its kind – stainless-steel case, unidirectional bezel, water resistance, screw down crown etc. Despite its somewhat quirky design, it possesses a very natural and organic vibe, never giving the impression of being forced.

Lucky for me, the guys at BOLDR lent me my favourite variation (Steel Blue) for this review. I am a huge fan of blue dials, and can be extremely particular when it comes to its execution. However, the Odyssey’s dial ticks all my boxes in this respect, befitting the watch’s namesake as well as its deep-diving DNA. You get all sorts of shades of blue, which give off subtle hints of the Odyssey’s deep-diving associations. Let’s not forget the dial’s other components and design cues as well – the orange seconds’ hand and white luminous markers make a great colour combination in the way they offset the deep blue dial, which also happens to contribute to its excellent legibility. You also have the date aperture positioned at 6 o’clock, which I think is a smart design choice as it keeps things symmetrical.

Lume

Like any proper dive watch, the Odyssey’s index markers feature extremely bright lume in the form of BGW9 Superluminova. BOLDR decided to utilise a combination of two distinct colours for the markers and bezel pip respectively: the bezel pip’s lume being blue, the index markers being green. The slight contrast between the two colours really makes the Odyssey visually stimulating, especially in dark conditions.

940b87b964609e590fa6ca2ac9386651_original — Photo by BOLDR.

Bezel

A quick glance at the bezel reveals a handful of interesting geometric shapes – a series of furrows and ridges, almost like a cogwheel. Each layer is stacked in a manner juxtaposed against one other, creating a very strong and impressionable look which is instantly recognisable from afar.

Aside from being aesthetically unique, this design also contributes to the bezel’s ease-of-gripping; the turns feel solid and just right, neither too tight nor loose. There was virtually zero play on the bezel and although I was not anywhere near a beach during my time with the Odyssey, judging from its solid operation and from what I was informed by the co-founders (whom hired a professional diver as part of the Odyssey’s photoshoot), I think we can all safely assume that the bezel would perform flawlessly under any conditions you’d care to throw at it.

Crown

This may come as a surprise, but one of my favourite features about the Odyssey was its ‘B’ signed Crown. It features a triple-lock mechanism, which gives the watch a perfect underwater seal. It also appears to be constructed of two separated bisections, allowing for a very comfortable and tactile feel to the fingertips. Somewhat amusingly, using the crown to set the time became an oddly satisfying activity. In short, the crown is a cool little detail which displays a meticulous and thoughtful touch from a design and pragmatic perspective.

Movement

Powering the Odyssey is a no-frills Seiko NH35A automatic movement, featuring 24 jewels, a hacking mechanism and power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

The watch also features a double-domed, AR coated sapphire crystal and a whopping 500-metre Water Resistance (1650ft/50ATM). Another cool feature that I really appreciate about the Odyssey was its helium escape valve. For those of you who might not be in the know, the valve depressurizes the watch after deep-diving sessions, useful for serious diving at great depths for prolonged periods.

Flipping the watch over, you will set your eyes upon what appears to be a boat sailing on rough seas under a constellation-filled sky. According to Leon, this is custom design created by Melbourne artist Ashwin Royan, and to me, it aptly personifies the spirit of the watch: adventure and exploration of the unknown.

On the wrist

I have a pretty small (6.75-inch) wrist, and with the Odyssey being 45.5 mm in diameter, I was totally expecting a massively oversized chunk of metal. Strapped on, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did the Odyssey not appear to be overly imposing, it was in fact no different than some of the more modern pieces in my collection (Gruppo Gamma Bronzo at 45mm, Dietrich at 46mm).

In other words, I was completely happy with the size. This could perhaps be attributed to the Odyssey’s angled case and lugs (53mm lug to lug), which are designed such that they hug one’s wrist nicely and attenuate the bezel’s somewhat aggressive look too. These design features really help shave off a lot of that visual bulkiness while retaining the watch’s utilitarian flare.

Final thoughts

BOLDR’s decision to make a dive watch as their follow-up to their Journey Chronograph is, in my opinion, a sound one. To me, a dive watch (like the Odyssey) is still generally the most practical choice of watch for people who just want to own one watch and call it a day. Of course, they’d have to be water/sweat resistant and made to withstand a generally high level of abuse, which translates to being able to survive conditions through which one might normally expect to put them.

I think we can all agree that the timing scale on any dive watch bezel will adequately take care of just about any real-world timing need. A fairly common example would be people like me using the bezel to time our laundry, how long I’ve procrastinated during revision time (true story) etc. BOLDR has really knocked it out of the park with the Odyssey – it’s just a unique-looking yet extremely practical watch that will probably outlast you – be it summer, winter, surviving a zombie apocalypse, abandoning a sinking ship, or might we suggest, some actual deep-sea diving?

On a more serious note, I had a solid month with the Odyssey and I believe that BOLDR has outdone itself with the Odyssey. It is without doubt, a watch which encompasses so well the principle of ‘Form following Function’. For a sub-$400 USD (Kickstarter early bird price is approximately $100 USD off the MSRP and depending on the variant) MSRP price tag, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more interesting yet practical watch at this price. We’re looking at a serious contender in this price bracket and a real value proposition in the form of the Odyssey, be it a diving watch, an everyday watch or even a vacation watch etc.

From a personal perspective, the levels of dedication and passion exhibited by the BOLDR team to their craft is truly a gratifying sight to see. Being a 1/3 Malaysian company, BOLDR makes me immensely proud of being a Malaysian myself – I can only aspire for more local brands to do the same.

Their Kickstarter campaign is only several days away from concluding, so if you’re interested in the Odyssey, be sure to check them out on their website, and their Kickstarter campaign here for early bird pricing and more info.

Finally, a big shout out to PULP by Papa Palheta for letting us shoot on your premises.

Once again, thank you for joining us in this installment of #lookcloser, we hope you enjoyed this little review and please do give us a follow on our IG page and stay tuned for more reviews and commentary from hereon.

‘Til next time!

For Team Matick,

Marshall, Meor, Ken.

#StrapsMakethWatch – A Quick Look at Straps From Clockwork Synergy

May 14, 2017 The Matick BlogLeave a comment

Introduction

We’ve never had any experience with CWS straps prior to this review, but we were aware that they are very well-known in the States, given that they were even featured on Ellen’s show (see here!).

When the straps first arrived and we held them on our fingertips, it instantly became very clear to us that there was a lot of effort and care being put into the creation of these straps by the good folks at CWS. From the stitching to the keepers, the inner lining to the texture and the quality of the leather.

Now without any further ado, let us talk a little more about these straps.

“I find that there is a certain type of ‘synergy’ in the way the large proportions of the strap complement very well the dimensions and rugged character of larger watches.”

Marshall, on the ‘Gentleman’s Collection’

Holden

‘Croco Collection’- Grey Croco Leather – USD $14.95

“Damn” said I, with a discernable astonishment at the test strap which Clockwork Synergy had sent me. With a bit of coinciding event planning going on at the time I was asked to do this review, I specifically requested one of their grey crocodile embossed calf straps, as I knew it would be a dazzling compliment to my then-recently purchased Orient Flight with blue dial. From the moment I snapped it’s fantastically convenient quick-change pins onto the lugs of my Orient, I had only high praise for this strap: The ever-dreaded “break in” period was nearly non-existent. The subdued gloss finishing, paired with the moderately large pattern of the strap, lent a perceptible grey-blue tone.

As a whole, Clockwork Synergy is a great company; I believe to my very core, that they genuinely strive to provide a quality product to us consumers without trying to bend us over the coffee table and… Point being, show me another strap dealer/manufacturer who can give you this level of quality at this price point, maintain a friendly and professional attitude towards all their customers, and keep their doors open in an ethical and professional way. No rush, I’ll wait.

Not speaking on behalf of any of my associates- this is purely me: I don’t like plugging for a company just because they asked us to. With that being said, I am thrilled to plug for CWS because they’re just worth it. Bottom line, I thought I was absolutely prepared to roast them in this review, and yet, I still have nothing negative to say. The leather used to make the strap is supple, yet sturdy; it’s an all-day wearer from the get-go. The construction and design is perfect for a guy like myself with relatively small wrists, but if your own wrist is any bit larger than, say 7 1/2”, you might want to inquire about a longer option. In this price range, both finishing and packaging for display/presentation, are bar none. And the hardware is what most impressed me, if I am entirely honest. True, full blown, solid as hell, steel. In your choice of, mind you, brushed, high-polished, gold plated, or IP black. It’s a thick and robust hybrid buckle, though I would adore a single fold-over deployant similar to the one found on nearly all Big Pilot’s from IWC, but… beggars can’t be choosers.

In summary, this little test run has convinced me that quality straps don’t have to come from some dude slaving away at a workbench in his garage, stitch after stitch, and charging you by the minute for their “exotic” and “premium” materials. CWS, you’ve made a repeat customer out of me.

Ken

‘Gentleman’s Collection’ – Aged Black Leather – USD $34.95

My strap of choice is an Aged Black 22mm strap from the Gentlemen’s Collection w/ stainless steel buckle.

The first thing I noticed upon receiving the strap was its no-frills packaging, on which the exact model number and type of strap were clearly indicated. Given that some of these straps can look very similar, this is a boon to those who want to make sure they have received exactly what they have purchased (and perhaps have mild paranoia). Though I am not sure if the aforementioned packaging is simply due to the straps we received being review sets, let’s face it, how many of us really want to see an accessory which serves a utile function, such as a strap, come in a case that would really be better suited for the presentation of an expensive timepiece? Perhaps, CWS’s decision to package their straps in simple packaging leads to cost savings which can then be passed on to us customers instead; always a plus point in my book.

While I am no expert in the intricacies of such, stitching quality on the strap is, for the most part, observably impeccable, and well above what one would expect from a so-called el’ cheapo strap in this price range: neat as neat can be, with no visible excess thread ends whatsoever. On the wrist, the strap is likewise enjoyable. It feels extremely sturdy and conveys a reassuring feeling of being able to last a long time. Paired the cult-favourite Seiko SKX007, the strap effortlessly distributes the 007’s substantial weight, contributing significantly to its wearability, a feat not achieved by many other varieties of straps.

This brings me to my next point. Despite the seeming impression by CWS to market the strap as part of a “gentlemen’s collection”, presumably intended to be paired with casual (ish) dress watches, its 6mm thickness makes it a perfect match for tool watches, especially divers, with thick and hefty cases. Not least, the sleek design and finish of the strap makes it a great complement for sportier watches, particularly those with a clean, modern feel.

The quick-release function is extremely convenient; not least, it saves you the unpleasant surprise of having spring bars fly across the room, along with the heartache that inevitably ensues after accidentally scratching the lugs of one’s beloved timepiece with a spring-bar tool. One can only hope to see this feature on more straps of various makes, and CWS’s decision to include the feature, even more so at such a price point, is a winner in my book.

The strap, however, is not without its cons. Out of the box, it was too stiff to wear comfortably, and has a longer break-in period than most (I recommend leaving the strap buckled overnight to accelerate this process). Perhaps, this is to be anticipated given the strap’s thickness and sturdy feeling. The strap’s lining, while certainly far from uncomfortable, doesn’t give you that plush “ahh” feeling you get from higher-end straps. I also noticed a relatively limited number of buckle holes, potentially precluding those with smaller wrists, and many members of the fairer sex. Finally, I found the naming of my chosen strap in particular to be somewhat inaccurate; although CWS claims that it is ‘aged leather’, the strap looks pretty much mint and lacks any artificial ageing or distress whatsoever. This proves to be potentially misleading to customers whom might think they are getting a strap with an aged finish. That said, this should not prove to be an issue if one carefully peruses the photos on CWS’s website before purchasing, which are clear and provide an accurate representation of the product.

There you have it: a durable, well-made and stylish strap at an attractive price point. There’s a lot to like here, despite some minor criticisms. I thoroughly enjoyed this strap, and heartily recommend it.

Marshall

‘Gentleman’s Collection’ – Black Bomber Leather and Auburn Bomber Leather – USD $34.95 each

The first thing I noticed upon initial inspection was a very unique and interesting ‘texture’ on the outer lining. From a glance one might instantly assume the straps bear a grainy, distressed-leather-texture, but to my surprise – that was not the case as there was certainly more than met the eye. A quick rub of the thumb revealed a pleasant buttery feel, quite unlike what one might normally expect from a strap with an apparently distressed texture, an aspect which really piqued my interest.

Unlike Holden’s crocodile leather option, the Bomber straps are thick and stiff from the get-go and require a little more break-in time than the average. Thankfully, however the larger proportions and stiffness did not result in any compromise of comfort, of which, in my opinion should be a paramount attribute when it comes to watch straps.

Albeit being a little too thick for my liking, to me it is still a perfect companion to more substantial and versatile watches like the Seiko SKX007/009 or any of the new Seiko SRP models (i.e Turtle reissues). I find that there is a certain type of ‘synergy’ (forgive the pun) in the way the large proportions of the strap complement very well the dimensions and rugged character of larger watches, as you can see here.

I highly recommend any pairings of this sort. The ‘dapperness’ of the strap really helps shave off a little bit of that crudity and utilitarianism so often apparent in tool watches, instantly ‘lightening-up’ the demeanour of any tool watch.

‘OEM Straps’ – Camo Nato for SevenFriday – USD $14.95

As for the camo nato strap I selected for my SevenFriday P1-1, there really is nothing much to add on here, except it is also of exceptional quality. It pretty much ticks every single box of what one would expect from a great quality nato strap and I am absolutely over the moon with this particular pairing. The camo pattern offers an especially refreshing look, given that most of the SevenFriday-compatible nato straps are only available in solid colours, which can be a bit of a bore at times (especially for a person like myself, who enjoys mixing and matching straps). This particular camo offering really adds a flare of variety in that department, something which I am a big fan of, and it certainly lends a very cool safari-esque look to my monochromatic-schemed P1-1.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I think we can all agree that there are a lot of things to love about CWS and their straps. In our minds there is no question that these are excellent examples of what all quality yet affordable straps should be. As far as we’re concerned, CWS is a great company, manufacturing honest quality straps and has surpassed all our expectations (mind you, we are SUPER picky when it comes to straps).

Thanks to the remarkable price-to-quality ratio of their products, CWS truly offers fantastic value proposition here. Their customer service is worth a mention too (big shout out to Emily from the Social Media Team for helping us out throughout the course of this review!). Seeing as to just how impressed we are with their products, CWS is, with little doubt, a company we could get behind with.

Lastly, we would like to thank Clockwork Synergy for reaching out to us! It was a pleasure being able to shoot and review these quality straps.

Visit our friends at ClockworkSynergy.com to view their entire collection!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately for our fellow Malaysians, CWS has yet to offer shipping options to Malaysia at the time of this review (May, 2017).

Thank you for joining us in this installment of #strapsmakethwatch, we hope you enjoyed this little review and the new look of the site! Please do give us a follow on our IG page and stay tuned for more reviews and commentary from hereon.

Also a big shout out to those who were involved in the process of this review: Awesome Canteen as well as the very talented Khairul Azam.

For Team Matick,

Holden, Ken, Marshall.