Braving New Horizons - BOLDR Supply Company Releases Its First-Ever Regatta Timepiece
BOLDR Supply Company is best known for their tough line-up of adventure-ready watches ranging from divers to GMT and field watches. The Singapore-based watch manufacturer is now embarking on a maiden voyage of regatta chronograph watches, also known as yachting watches, built specifically for those in need of a tough timepiece while riding the waves. The watch carries several never-before-seen features from the brand and is set to make a splash in the microbrand watch scene. Inspired by world record holder Bhavik Gandhi who single-handedly sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 2007, the watch will be available for a 24-hour preorder period on 19th April 2021, followed by shipping on 20th April.
Having gained a reputation for their tough watches, BOLDR decided it was time to pursue their first regatta-style chronograph watch, an idea that had been in the works for a long while leading up to 2021. With a work schedule in place, the team began brainstorming concepts and features that would go into creating the new “monster” of yachting watches, one that could be considered a benchmark for future watches of the same kind.
The inspiration for the watch came from world record holder Bhavik Gandhi, who crossed 3000 miles over The Atlantic Ocean by himself in 2007, a feat accomplished by a precious few humans throughout history. A watch enthusiast himself, Bhavik’s penchant for endurance sports resonates deeply with BOLDR’s core values, leading the brand to reach out for his creative input. Founder of BOLDR Leon Leong recalls meeting Bhavik back when he was a student in Sweden: “I first met Bhavik back in 2010 during a TEDxMälaren talk which I organized with my batchmates. Hearing him speak about his adventures made such an impression on me that many years later, I got in touch with him to share our vision for this project”.
Led by BOLDR’s designer Danny Guzzi, the team also engaged the help of renowned regatta timepiece experts in order to validate their design blueprints. Among those consulted were Mathias Hübner, a vintage watch expert and avid collector from Germany, Mark Reichardt, a regatta watch collector based in the Netherlands and founder of regatta-yachttimers.com, and David Braybrook, a Portugal-based watch collector with years of experience in custom-built timepieces. Their highly-valued feedback was implemented in the intricate details that went into creating the quintessential regatta timepiece, from easy-to-use tracking features down to the triple-lock crown on the case.
Danny was inspired to bring this project to life from childhood memories and his experience in nautical sports. "As a child I lived near the “Lac de la Haute-Sûre”, where nautical sports play an important role to this day, I remember my family hanging out with friends at the Yacht Club du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, where we would watch sailing boats for hours. Later in Portugal I was for several years an athlete in the local Nautic Club, so nautical sports always had a special place in my heart - especially regatta races! Designing a yachting timer has always been on my list of goals, and I'd like to say a huge thank you the entire BOLDR team for making my dream come true!".
The watch offers several first-time features for the brand such as a unique 2-in-1 bezel, which combines a 15-minute countdown marker with a specialized nautical miles tachymeter. Powering this yachting monster is an ETA Valjoux 7750 Elabore grade chronograph movement encased in a full stainless steel body, rated for 500m. Designed to be highly legible, the black & white dial features three specialized sub-dials and stylized boat-shaped skeleton hands for better readability.
One of its sub-dials is a classic 10-minute count back disk-dial, a popular feature used to mark the start of a regatta race. This is highly useful for tracking in intense race situations, where concentration is high and every second counts. Keeping the inner workings safe and dry is a triple-lock screw-down crown, a sophisticated three-tiered locking system that prevents water from seeping in. Wearers can be assured of top performance, no matter how much water hits the dial.
The BOLDR Odyssey Regatta is setting sail on the 20th of April with a 24-hour preorder period on 19th April. Read more about the watch and the inspiration behind our first ever regatta piece only at www.boldrsupply.co.
BOLDR Supply Company designs watches and gear to be worn, used and abused every day. When you wear a BOLDR product, you’re becoming part of a global #beBOLDR movement - a shared passion for the adventurous side of life, with a watch that’ll never leave your side.