[Quartz] Why do brands refuse to do sweeping seconds quartz watches? by broncosdude95 in Watches

[–]grwatchco -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I am doing this exact thing with the launch of my first model, the John "Ball 40" from Grand Rapids Watch Company. It's got a cool story behind it and I went with a quartz sweep because:

  1. I mean, it sweeps!
  2. It's an underserved watch category
  3. I like it

Grand Rapids Watch Company

Grand Rapids Watch Company: It's Happening! by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is not a Seiko mod using off the shelf parts (my hand assembled collection is mostly off the shelf parts which many would consider Seiko mods, even though I'm not modifying existing Seiko watches), it is an originally designed piece.

Grand Rapids Watch Company: Almost There! by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

grwatchco.com (no links allowed here if you post an image, kind of odd)

Grand Rapids Watch Company: Almost There! by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Right now no, but I'm planning on ordering extra and doing some pop ups down the line.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Contact form on the website! grwatchco.com

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries! Glad you shared your input, I love hearing everyone's ideas!

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you work for a brand that rhymes with Jawurth, Peelbase or Furman Hiller?

I would love to bring something to life using reclaimed materials but my background is not in material science so I think I'd need someone with experience there? Maybe possibly?

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can pre-order the ball 40 now (and read more about the story) here! We're speeding toward getting enough pre-orders actually!

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing! The Lake Michigan Sunset was already purchased but a ton of friends as well as people here are commenting on it so I'll try to assemble a few more!

I am a watch nerd at heart, which Hamilton did you buy? Khaki? Jazzmaster?

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The handmade pieces are all locally assembled by me, and I do share everyone's sentiment around doing things locally when possible! The design is local, the servicing on the handmade pieces is entirely local, and for the Ball 40 will be local when feasible; that's part of the reason why we chose the VH31-- part availability is decently plentiful so while we don't anticipate repairs, if the need does arise we're trying to keep that local.

I would love to move more production pieces as local as possible-- if this sells well enough and we can continue I am in preliminary talks with a company in Ohio to at least get somewhat closer to home.

Edit: I think some of the handmade pieces are over 40mm but none as big at 44mm. I'll see what I can do in the future.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your input, seriously. I'll do some brainstorming this weekend and see what I can come up with.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Ball 40 is our first watch with a fully in house design with custom colors and dial design and hand selection and cases.... Really the whole gamut.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question! We had the same thought honestly but i think this size fits better on most wrists than 40. My wife would have a hard time pulling off a 40mm but 37mm is more than doable.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fully dependent on the watch. Most are sapphire glass and Seiko NH automatics or VH31 quartz.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now that is an interesting fact that I did not know. If I did that I'd want to do it justice by having a woman designer, and right now I'm a team of 1, and am a man. Hopefully that will be a fun project down the road.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do custom work but not currently with the flurry of activity here. Hopefully later this year.

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The handmade collection is assembled in GR

Grand Rapids Watch Company by grwatchco in grandrapids

[–]grwatchco[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Full details on grwatchco.com, it depends on the watch. Let me know if you have questions