Seeking outdoor enthusiasts interested in a new tool watch bezel insert, in their own watch or ours.
Check on Indiegogo
Photo Credit: Stephan Berube of LongBeachWatchClub.com
OVERVIEW:
The O.U.T.C.A.S.T. (Outdoor Utility Timepiece, Compass And Survival Tool) is a multifunctional tool watch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
What makes the OUTCAST notable is the dial was designed so it would quickly and naturally orient itself at night, and, that by combining multiple tool markings on the insert, we unlocked additional functionality that is useful in a variety of applications, including:
- a compass
- tide tracking
- a countdown timer
- an elapsed timer
- 12-hour markings
Think of the OUTCAST like a Swiss Army knife, that you always have on you, ‘just in case’. Because there is only so much you can do with a standard “dive” bezel insert.
HOW IT WORKS
ORIGIN STORY – BEZEL DESIGN
Back when I was racing, I wore a Sea Dweller (because you really can’t hurt those watches) but I was trying to use the elapsed timing bezel to calculate the countdowns until my next heat… and then, in the chute, I would have to remember to look down and reset the elapsed timer again, so I could track my elapsed race time… It sucked. Great watch, but the wrong tool for what I needed.
I needed countdown bezel that would allowed me to set the triangle to the exact time when I would leave the chute… and then once that countdown went to zero, I could just shift my gaze to start reading off of the elapsed timer… without ever having to reset, or even look down at the bezel, at the worst possible moment. Because when the count goes to zero… and I pull my ice hooks… I need to unleash hell, not be messing around with my watch.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-87nZpHfRA?si=rG1jOS6hVC2DNnql?autohide=1&controls=1&showinfo=0
WHY THE DIAL LOOKS THE WAY IT DOES
The Field & Sea dial has a 24-hour inner track, and 3, 6, and 9 numeric markers, which were actually designed to NOT glow in the dark, so you can orient your watch at night, faster, and with more confidence, so you can focus on the tools…
Because when you are in the dark, it’s really hard to orient your watch fast. Your eyes can determine the position of the hands, but without a good reference, you can’t tell the time, quickly, nor use the tools on the bezel… and if you spend too much time orienting the watch, you may have to look away for a second, which would cause you to start the whole process over again, wasting even more time.
NH35 MOVEMENT
Many say a ‘survival watch’ needs to have a solar Eco-drive… The reality is, if you’ve ever spent any time in the far North, or in the extreme cold for extended periods of time, you just wont ever trust things the same way ever again… especially things with electronics and batteries.
That’s why I chose the NH35, at least for these prototypes. The NH35 is the workhorse of automatic movements and is celebrated for its reliability, hand-winding, and hacking capabilities. Its widespread use means parts are easily accessible, and it’s recognized by watch repair professionals globally. Should you ever face an issue, you can quickly find parts or qualified assistance almost anywhere in the world, and be back in action without a huge expense and wait. And in a pinch, even swap it out, yourself.
In Phase 2 (when we make our custom case’) we will likely offer an option with a SW-200 movement, but a custom case with a Swiss movement is completely unnecessary, just to test an insert design.
ROBERT VALLI – OWNER/OPERATOR
Hi, I’m Robert Valli, and believe it or not, I was once a professional dog sled racer. I raced all over the United States, Canada, Alaska…and even won Bronze for the US, in a World Cup Race in Siberia, back in 2004.
I was also featured on the Today Show…
…and Wild on E! TV (https://tinyurl.com/3jcmfvyd) and founded the backcountry touring guide service, called Wild Dog Mushing Company (https://youtu.be/bgkfUSF_PgQ) where I took you out on a ride with my main race team, in the high country of Utah…
But it was actually this race in Russia… 200 miles, around 5 volcanoes, in 72 hours…that inspired both my choice of logo, and the design of OUTCAST being crowdfunded here, today. Visit our ‘Origin Story’ page on our website (https://www.outcastwatch.com/the-inspiration/) to see a 30minute documentary on the race so extreme, it only happened once.
So if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, and appreciate functional design, you should back my project and be among the first people to stress test the prototype that I’m wearing on my wrist today, with me…
