Every Watch Collector Needs One Of These!
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
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Everyone should own at leat one tonneau/barrel/tank cased watch, I think. They are a lot of fun, and wear a treat. This is a nice one, I think especially with the cheaper quartz movement in it, I mean, why not? I would not describe the design as 100% original though, but I can;t blame them for having a good look at the competition. Cheers, Jody
Thanks for the nice review, Jody! I love getting your take on it. I'd like to offer some clarity on pricing, if I may. There are three main factors for how i've priced this watch. First is from a growth standpoint. The first watch I released (the SOE Roadster) I underpriced heavily, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing in that regard. The prices (which were similar to the prices being brought up in the comments here) were a very small margin. Forget profit - there was none. The little money that was made from that project went straight into the funding of the next watch, the Crossroads. The second point, which kind of ties into the first is more of a gripe at Kickstarter. I didn't want to do Kickstarter, and hopefully I don't have to do it again after this round, but there are just too many eyes on kickstarter to ignore it. For a brand that is trying to build a base of customers, this is important. It also costs money to be on kickstarter. They take an 8% cut, so you have to build that into your final cost estimations, too. Kickstarter has been getting a bad rap more recently with projects that get funded, but never finish the product. The customer is out a bunch of money, the watch brand goes kaput, and kickstarter looks bad, too. The main problem with these failing projects that i've noticed is that the owner lowballs all the costs, and then when they hit the inevitable hiccup in production (problems with movement or shipping, etc), they don't have the funds to cover it and the project freefalls. If they had charged enough to cover for these unforeseen events, many of the projects and brands would have survived. I am trying to get these things built. The last part of the equation is simply the technical cost of building a watch like this. Everything is exponentially more expensive when the watch is not round. Most round watches just use pre-made crystals cut from a cylinder. This one needs to be custom cut from a larger piece of sapphire, which requires more waste. Round watch dial blanks are super cheap. Not so much for custom shaped ones like this. In general, most round watches cut corners with all of the small things you don't necessarily think about like spacers, case backs, o-rings, rehauts, dial blanks etc. There's just a lot of 'round' parts that can and are reused all the time. With a non-round watch, all of this is custom machined from scratch. It's just more expensive to do. Maybe I should have just made a round watch? There are way more things that affect the cost. Obviously inflation. Everything is more expensive right now and still rising. Everything is also more expensive for small guys vs big. If seiko and I made the exact same watch, it would cost me twice as much to make it, even though i'd be expected to price it the same or cheaper than seiko. This is due to minimum order quantities, having their own manufacturers, and reusing parts and molds that they already have sitting around. Anyway, long story short, if ya think the watch is too expensive, that's totally fine, but I'd like for it to be known that I am not taking advantage of anybody with these prices. I really enjoy making watches, and I'd like to continue doing it. The only way I can do that is to add a little more padding to the price.
Well explained. You make good points. It looks wonderful, both the colours and the design. Not being round is the main highlight and the dimensions look superb. Stick to your vision. I think the review was generally very positive. It looks like a watch that will age very well and that people will get attached too. It does not look expensive or cheap, it just looks really nice, and that is not a bad thing. Good luck with your business!
@@eoghanart6439 Thanks for the kind words! At the end of the day I'm just a normal guy who enjoys watches like everybody else here. Not trying or expecting to get rich doing this. Just simply trying to live a little dream of making watches
Will the strap it comes with fit a 21 cm wrist?
@@andrewhernandez9674 yes. I’m lengthening the strap just a little too. You might be on the last or next to last hole, but should fit.
That all makes sense. We can still wish it was lower. I do really like the crystal and how it works with the dial design. Well done.
I don't normally like this shape of case, but I have to say this is a pretty handsome watch. I really like the hands and of course the curve sapphire.. Great review. Thanks!
It's a nice looker and shape, love the caseback too. Just a bit too pricy for me. Sounds silly, but I found myself waiting for the second hand to hit the narrow sides lol. Sweet shorts mate, I had a kipper tie in that pattern in the 70s !
I was warming to this watch as something different and pretty well made, albeit with fairly standard components. I kept thinking through the review "they have to bring it in at under $300". So the price just takes it off the table.
Agree . At that price it is not " just one more watch".
Absolutely love that. Traditional and understated design but the colours really give it a modern look.
I find that to be a stunning watch and that orange second hand in front of the nice blue background works flawlessly. As mentioned in the video, I was surprised as well about the great lume. Perhaps a slightly bit over priced but still a nice looking watch. Perhaps we will see the price drop a bit if sales as these age a little more.
I don’t usually like square/rectangular watches, but this one is really nice! A lot of effort has gone into its design. I’d like one of these…at $500 not $800 though 😬
I absolutely love screw ON casebacks. Has something very refined and elegant to it 💪🙏
Does a DW5600 G-SHOCK count as a tonneau? If so I'm covered.
That maze is giving me Westworld flashbacks though. 😵💫
Thank you for showing us this lesser-known option. I am curious to see what Trafford does in the near future regarding pricing and the couple of "cons" you mentioned.
Stunning watch. Different look. But great size and specifications. Cheers.
Really like this watch. The design just works. It's a tonneau case just done right. It's playful but not obtrusive. I'd call it a cohesive design.
Forget the watch!!! The T-SHIRT!!!! Love it!!!
That agave color way is gorgeous. It’s rare to see leather that color that looks that good.
Love this! I don't think $499 is a bad price. But if they venture up to $799, i'd expect a swiss movement for a micro. But they definitely nailed the dial and style 😁
This is a watch that I've been really excited about for a while, since Nathan started showing off the design early in the process. I think the vh31 will be a great grab-and-go addition to my casual weekend collection.
I love square cases!! I got the brew retrograph and it's awesome. And the 9039 is a solid movement used in many other more expensive watches. But yeah, there no resale value in these at all. So few people like this form factor.
If you are thinking of reselling before buying perhaps Zelos or Rolex would be a better bet.
The 9039 is used in cheaper watches. The Batavi Architect series is new now for $420 per watch and it comes with a stainless steel bracelet.
I do like this watch. And I like it in green and the blue-green. The dial is super legible and the handset is sharp and clear. I'd like the "Trafford watch co." printing to be a bit further north of the pinion. I love the curved crystal that makes the 'squareness' softer and smoother. Square/tonneau watches just wear differently, and stand out for that reason. The price makes it a no go for me atm. Omologato do motorsport inspired square watches and they tend to be around the same money - interesting but pricey.
I love Farer watches (and own a few) and i am getting into watched with broader color schemes. And the rectangular shapes are something vert interesting.
I've got an 090059 Vostok Amphibia, with the 090 being Vostoks' tonneau case with shrouded lugs. Was my first mechanical watch and I love it.
Are there any decent Ali Express versions of this type of watch? A bit out of my price range but I am really digging the look of it.
The watch looks great, but cant get over the way the central recess reminds me of a Heinz Ketchup label
A video from Jody on a Friday! What a treat!!
I like the simple design and square case but not at those prices. Time to check out what aliexpress has in square cases.
Thanks Jody, a great video as always. Because the case is one piece, with really soft transitions everywhere, it looks like it's pressed and cheapens it for me
Believe it or not I stated a very similar comment underneath a shot they put on Instagram today. I recently purchased a Brew Metric and realized in my watch addicted brain that a few more squares & tonneau style cases would be welcomed additions to the collection. This Trafford being the next as it looks damn cool from the shots. The Burgundy looks beautiful and it’s got me hooked. Thanks for the video Jody, always appreciate your takes brother.
Nice watch, but with prices for the automatic versions starting at $500, I'd go with the *very* similar, and vastly cheaper, Seiko Recraft SNKP27 (green dial) for $135, or the slightly flashier SNKP23 (blue dial) for $138. I own the SNKP23 and absolutely love it.
I swear, I thought you said, “Us known Texans.” I almost spit my coffee everywhere.
I do like the design, the price not so much....they are really pushing the price boundaries of the miyota and although I am a fan of the VK series they're kicking the arse out of that too....never the less I wish them the very best of luck....🏴⌚🏴⌚
This ^
Prices are delusional, yeah. Hope that changes soon
This is by far and away one of my favourite watches you've ever reviewed. Something about it really grabs me.
That's a cracking watch Jody, the blue and orange really works. Case shape and finishing is great, screw on case back, dial, hands are all great. Overall, they are 95% of the way there - usual for a prototype - so best of luck for the brand moving forward.
549 for a Miyota is chancing their luck and that RRP is plain stupid, Crossroads needs to relook at their pricing. Maybe they can build a loyal customer base by tuning into the whole "Made in U.S.A." thing
I like the case, but not the arabics. I think it would look better with batons.
One thing that you didn't mention is where it's assembled/made? If it's USA, then the high price is understandable. If its coming out of a Chinese factory then its a little less so
A beauty! That handset is begging for tritium tubes!
Still in love with mine
I get the bracelet Monday
I love the v2 colors but I’m waiting for his gmt
I love square cases, but i haven't found the "perfect" watch for me yet. Either i don't like the dial or the hands. Well i'll just keep looking.
Same. We need to start independent company.
Looks better from the back than the front. Heard that before somewhere........
So glad you pointed out the Farer ref, which was screaming in my head the whole time. Actually think the case looks too large for a tonneau. But I like actual mid century sizing, in general.
Interesting for an occasional watch, but no date or day limits it value. No bracelet effectively pushes the price up which at about £700 already makes an awful lot of watches the competition. Duckworth Prestex for instance.
I dig it! I got 4 watches that are square - ish! I love em!
That 800 definitely sounds like a too high price. For that you can get a Direnzo Eclipse V2, which is a sportswatch on a bracelet with a swiss movement and super unique design language. But if I look at the kicstarter price of the quartz, it is pretty good value.
I like it but , they are having a laugh asking $799 and yes I also saw the "similarity" to Farer straight away.
Love this watch, but as you mentioned the price for this specs is a bit steep…
So I have to stay with my vintage Bifora as my only Tonneau cased watch.
This watch has a lot of things going for it. As far as the cost, doing something "different" in an industry as integrated as microbrand watches (give your design to a Chinese OEM) probably does frightening things to BOM costs.
Nope. They have an exact case like that in a 70 dollar watch. The price is to appeal to the watch snob and not the enthusiastic. They do not feel that they are getting a good watch unless they are paying more than the average person will pay.
Wow some really nice choice of colours with some neat features. Great review Jody!
Very interesting. Thanks Jody
I agree that the pricing may be on the high side, taking the Brew Retromatic and Retrograph as comparison. Very nice looking watch though...
Would go with a rectangular Seiko Recraft...
Really nice looking watch, and I really dig the curved sapphire, but $100 over priced even at the early bird special. It's nice to see the VH31 being used more commonly, but I've yet to see it in a dive watch - not sure why? 🤔🤷🏻♂️
I would love to see a vh31 in something like a casio duro
the Wolbrook quartz divers use that movement
I was guessing that kind of pricing without the early bird. I like the designs at 4 and $500, and the extra 50% differential at regular prices stings.
I always give credit for originality, and this has nice touches, I find the case a little bland, the price for the quartz is over the top.
I like this quite a lot. I have to agree, however, that the pricing puts it outside my comfort zone. That hurts a little. As a Texan I'd love to help the local folks succeed.
Super elegant. It would be the green for me.
I like it. It's well made.
Want one 👍. Just a bit different isn't it? You mentioned the slightly inaccurate crystal fitting Jodie, I noticed a rather course brushing near the lugs too - do you think these will be addressed on the finished item?
Love the slim case and lume but dial pales to colors in Seiko Recraft series.
I like that quite a bit, it's definitely a casual weekend watch. I thought you hadn't done much microbrands lately. Then I realized it was mostly just RUclips serving me up mainly AliExpress watch review notifications.
Quite like the crystal treatment, an attractive piece all round. Little bit surprised by the Friday upload tho.....
I do like tonneau shape. Favourite is the Oris Sinatra Small Seconds - a tonneau outer with a round dial and benefitting hugely from not having the tacky Sinatra script on the dial.
Jesus....that's a silly price. £250 with an NH35.
It's a nice looking watch, to be sure, but $399 for the automatic is too much to ask.
It'd be awesome to own a watch designed in Austin, Texas after living in Austin for twenty-two years and more to come! Thanks for reviewing this one!! I wish I had more money for one though!
It reminds me a lot of one of the Seiko Recraft watches
Nice... I've got a couple of tonneau's. They carry a cool retro vibe... 👍⌚
Beautiful watch! My only complaint about the case shape is that it almost resembles the shape of a Apple Watch.
The CRossroads definitely grabbed my attention, but the other watch you showed, just blew the the Crossie out of the water ! What a looker ! 😎
Not a bad-looking watch..I have a suggestion..ever reviewed the Timex Expedition field chronograph? I have one, and I think it’s a great watch at a great price. I think you should give it a look!!
Ok, so I just went through their page, sadly, I feel that for similar look and at even a better price, you're better off going for a Brew Retromatic. But I know there's no new stock right now, but if you can get it on th 2nd hand market, you should go for it. Because for similar price you get a Selita movement and a very, very nice steel bracelet.
The dial is also amazingly beautiful. Much better than the Trafford Crossroads.
Brew, Bulova & Shinola have good aesthetic tonneau. I bought a cheap Guess quartz to see if I like it. Turns out I do! Tried on a Brew at NYC WindUpWatch Fair this past weekend & its a killer.
It does absolutely nothing for me I'm afraid.
It looks cheap
Under rated comment - it’s a ‘meh, so what’ watch
I was thinking the same thing......meh
What do you like? Black dialed diver? Lol.
@@beerkegaard It does ...
I have the VH31 in my 35mm Escapement Time King Seiko homage. I absolutely love it. It cost all of $65 USD!
Thank you! Would be great if you could go an aliexpress watch strap round up. Something for the casioak, something for the seagull etc
More AR coating please. I'd take less lume for more AR on crystal. I am interested.
Whilst watching your video I couldn't help thinking the Trafford looks like a Farer especially the green version, low and behold you said the same!!
The Trafford is a good looking watch, I also like the case shape and would probably opt for a quartz version, however given the choice the Farer would be the one id go for.
I like it but I do wonder who will do anything with the ‘free” sticker other than bin it?
Dang that does look very similar to a Farer, something I'd be far more likely to go for if I was interested at the 800usd price (both being well out of my price range)
Looks good I like the retro vibe
All through the vid Ive been trying to pin down what this watch reminds me of. Vaer maybe?
I like the looks and the specs but not the price so much. Theres just too much competition out there that will have this beat. atb, Kev
Nicely pitched review, Jody. Balanced and fair.
Looking to get the bluebonnet when it back in stock.
Looks clean reminds me of FEARS hands.
One of the coolest releases lately, great pieces!
I adore this watch, so glad it’s still got a compact lug to lug. I have small wrists so most watches of this shape are just too dang big
If they want **
One of my favorite case shapes. Good review. Intro price should be a hundred less per.
Good callout about the Farer styling similarities. It genuinely did look familiar, the moment it came on screen! Couldn't place it until you mentioned 😅
Would love to try out a VH31 (is that the the right number? It's what was on their website, anyway) movement at some point. Agree strongly that brands are sleeping on non-chrono mechaquartz in general!
I would have compared it to Shinola as well
I live in Texas and I'm no sure this is my cup of tea. But it does look like a quality piece. Thanks for the review!
HD
Looks good, but with these watches the minute track shouldn't be on the chapter ring, it just emphasises how short the hands are in the corners.
This is a really nice watch, well designed, high specs and fair price, congrats Nathan!
... Not. A Seiko ASTRON SBXY009 or Casio OCEANUS OCW-T4000CL-2AJF are each under $600 and both have AR coating that makes the crystal disappear, titanium case, solar movement, and atomic time sync.
I only have one square watch. An Apple Watch in 42mm. That's about all I'm willing to do at this juncture in my watch collecting. But I can see the appeal for those who can wear squares. 😂
Another great review Jody. 👍🏻
I agree that everyone needs a tonneau in their collection. Not sure how this one will fair once it hits retail. It’s a nice watch, but not doing enough to distinguish itself IMHO
yeah... a bit high priced if you ask me... especially considering the 9039 is a $80 dollar movement. maybe if it had an sw200... there are plenty of other manufactures that use sw200's at the same price point.
I'll be seeing these in person at a watch show next weekend in Austin. I'm looking forward to checking them out and hoping they will have them at a really good price.
Nice. I like tonneau and rectangle watches.
Looks like a cross between Brew and Farer.
Like it, would suit a fitted bracelet
They must have decided “let’s make a square Farer” in their design meetings. I can’t see any other way around how hard of a copy that is.
Yes
I really like the look, and I think I remember commenting when they posted the Kickstarter on social media to this effect.... but sadly, it's WAY out of my price range, so you may say every watch collector "needs" one, but not all of us get to have one - which is an extra bummer cause I also really dig several of their color decisions, and probably would have grabbed at least 2 if I could afford to. :(
I think my cushion "Ministry" case Vostok ticks that box for me.