The Team
The Swiss gentleman is Daniel Blunschi and has the passion of watches in his blood, as many Swiss do. He possesses over 30 years of experience working in the watch industry developing watches and presentation tools for some of the most famous watch brands in the world.
Stephen Mansfield, the Irishman, started out studying engineering and has spent 16 years living in Japan working for banks, a hedge fund and then managing hotels. He is now a serial entrepreneur focusing on projects that challenge and engage him and the world around us.
Steve on the left and Daniel on the right
The Journey
That moment in the bar was in early 2015, from there we spent time looking at the watch market and reviewing patents going back as far as the records went. Our hunch was that our idea was unique so we christened our project “OHI” for one hand indication. There are many single handed watches on the market that oblige the wearer to guess the exact time but there was not a single handed watch that displayed the accurate time – until now. We had stumbled onto a simple concept in the field of watch making. Simple but never done before.
SNGLRTY was the answer to the questions we had posed to ourselves that night. A single handed watch with a contra rotating minute disc designed to focus the eye on a single point where all the information is displayed. In short, a mechanical chronometer that can present the time accurately and be read efficiently with a single glance.
SNGLRTY is the only analogue timepiece capable presenting the time to the reader with the simplicity of the digital watch but the beauty and elegance of a traditional, accurate, mechanical chronometer.
We filed our patent application in October 2015 and started to develop the prototypes, Daniel knew that the only place in the world to develop and produce a watch with such technical challenges and the desired quality was the heart of the global watch industry – Switzerland.
It was not until the summer of 2017 that we finally managed to have 20 working prototypes - the Zero series was completed and almost concurrently on 15 August 2017 we were awarded US Patent 9,733,618 for a Timepiece With a Single Hand For Simultaneously Indicating Both Hours And Minutes. Our hunch that this was a unique concept had been substantiated.
This Campaign
This campaign is the next step in the journey of SNGLRTY and we hope you will support us in this critical next step to make this evolution in watches available to everyone. Since that night almost 3 years ago in the bar we have felt obliged to ensure our innovation makes it to market, we have worked with some of the best watch engineers in the world but at each step it has been just the two of us taking each step to bring this innovation to fruition. As you can imagine we have spent a great deal of time (and money) to ensure that everything that is presented here can be offered with great confidence. We both understand that each of our watches represents a material commitment for each of our backers, but you may rest assured as we have assembled 20 timepieces and each has been keeping the time accurately for over 6 months! When you select one of our beautiful Swiss Made watches you will receive a distinguished and unique piece protected by our US Patent.
Through the development we have sought to keep our costs as low as possible, and we intend to continue that through the launch of SNGLRTY. Using all of our knowledge we are able to offer a unique Swiss Made SNGLRTY watch for less than CHF1000, this is a remarkable price for a mechanical movement watch, but if you would like to have something more special and exclusive, that reflects your choices, then we have an offer to meet your desires. As each watch will be hand assembled in Switzerland we are able to keep our threshold to launch very low – at US$40,000 – but we hope that we will raise this target many times over.
What We Need & What You Get
SNGLRTY is an absolutely unique, highly recognizable product and working prototypes (some of which are available for purchase) are already in circulation. For the launch of SNGLRTY we want to deliver the highest quality at an affordable price, and the best way to do that is by delivering directly to our customers.
SNGLRTY is the only analogue timepiece capable presenting the time to the reader with the simplicity of the digital watch but the beauty and elegance of a traditional, accurate, mechanical chronometer.
For the launch of Series One we have developed three ranges of watches with the aim of satisfying as many different expectations as possible – but all featuring our patented One Hand Indication, individually numbered and a 2 year international warranty.
To celebrate the launch of SNGLRTY we have created the OHI2 - Limited Edition. Pared back to the very essence of SNGLRTY, this wonderfully simple execution is based on the SELLITA SW200 movement and has a simplified face with no date indication. There are 5 elements to this watch face 1) the hour index, 2) the minute index, 3) the central disc, 4) the second index and finally the hand itself. Each backer who selects an OHI2 - Limited Edition will be able to select the colour of each of these elements, so there will be 32 combinations available. We do not have all these combinations available for you to select from, but here are 3 variations so you can see the impact.
Starting here with the "All White" - well with the exception of the second index for a bit of character.
Here we have mixed it up a bit with black hour index, white minute index, black centre disc, white second index and a white hand.
And finally, for now, the black version where everything is black with the exception of the second index and the hand. In this version we have indicated luminescence on the hour index and the hand.
For those looking for more individualism and more precision we have the SNGLRTY OHI3 and OHI4 ranges. The only difference between the OHI3 and OHI4 ranges is the movement that is chosen, the OHI3 range uses the Sellita SW300 Elabore which and the OHI4 range uses the Sellita SW300 Premium Execution Fully Decorated, this is the most accurate movement and is decorated on the mass and the bridge of the movement. For the full comparison of the differences in these movements you can go to our website HERE.
The photograph above shows the Cote De Geneve decoration on the mass of the movement and the Pearlage decoration on the bridge of the movement.
Once you have selected which movement you would like the selection process is all about configuration of your watch face, there are six elements to the watch face and there are a number of options for each of the elements as follows:
- The hour index is available in Galvanic Blue, Galvanic Black Gold, White & Black.
- The minute index is available in Galvanic Silver and Galvanic Black
- The decor plate is available silver, black gold and blue - all with Cote de Geneve decoration
- Second index is available in silver and black gold
- The date index is available in silver and black
- Finally, the hand is available in Black and Silver
This gives a total number of 192 combinations - so it is quite likely that you will have a very unique piece when you make the selections. You will be able to look through the gallery of photos we have here and see all these individual pieces in the photos, but for everyone who selects to support us with the OHI3 or OHI4 execution we will contact you when the campaign period is over and work with you to select your combination.
The above shows black hour index, white date index, white minute index, silver decor plate with Cote de Geneve, silver second index and black hand. We also show a black saffiano leather watch band.
And, if that is not enough, for those who would wish to create your own watch based around the patented SNGLRTY display we have a special option to design your own watch. You will have a personal meeting with our renowned Swiss watch designer who will create a design for your own watch and we will have it produced and assembled for you. There are some limitations on this one (for example addition of precious metals or stones will have to be charged in addition after the design is complete) please ask us if you are interested, but you can see more details HERE.
Reviews & Press
We have been very fortunate to have received a number of reviews from the press and Daniel and i have also taken part in a podcast. Please find the links below to each of these reviews, as more come in we will update this section.
Other Options
OHI App – We created this app before we had even engaged the Swiss engineers and used it to explain the functionality in those early days. But, for a small donation we will make it available to you. Please do not get too excited, it is very simple and only available for Android currently, but we intend to continue developing it and will release the Apple version as soon as possible.
Magnifying Loupe - These ultra-lightweight aluminum watchmakers’ loupes have been designed for all our watchmaker enthusiasts. Available in rose gold, black and gunmetal the loupe comes with a 4X magnification mineral glass lens that is held in place with a screw top so the magnification can be altered simply and quickly by exchanging the lens.
Travel Watch Pouch – Each of our limited edition watches will be delivered in one of these beautiful hand crafted leather travel cases; it has been designed to be compact yet giving your watch excellent protection. The pouch is made from the finest fine grained calfskin leather, is hand crafted to our own unique design, the edges are buffed and painted and further reinforced with black stitching which results in a strikingly simple, tactile and elegant case.
Multi-Tool – This incredible little tool will come with each and every watch delivered, also designed by Daniel and Stephen. This compact tool holds 6 tools in its body for easy transport and flexibility. This one will come with the tools for changing your watch band quickly and easily.
Watch Roll – This magnificent piece is handcrafted with the utmost attention to detail and will accompany all our premium range of watches. The felt lined cocoon will protect each watch from the world outside. Handcrafted from the finest fine grained calfskin leather, the closing strap runs the whole circumference of the case closing with a Signature Edition SWISS REIMAGINED watch buckle.
Watch Band Pack – So you can create an even more unique watch we will have a large selection of watch bands available for you to choose from, so many that we cannot list them all here! We will make sure everyone has the correct length of strap but with this pack you will be able to select 5 styles of your choice and they will be delivered with your watch for an even more personalised experience.
About Shipping, Returns & Exchanges
What is your returns & exchanges policy?
If anything you receive from us is defective or broken, we will replace it or, if it is a watch we will ask you to return it to us so that we may repair it. Obviously if it is a watch that has been configured specifically for you then it may take a bit of time to have it repaired and returned to you – if this should happen your understanding will be appreciated.
When will I receive my product? What if I receive it past the listed date?
Daniel has been in the business of making watches all his professional life, and in collaboration with our engineers and watchmakers in Switzerland, who have made millions of watches, we are confident that we can deliver as promised. We have already started planning and will be placing orders with our suppliers as soon as we know we are funded.
We will honor our timelines as best as we can.
What happens if I never receive the product?
We have 20 prototype watches produced and ready to go, and each and every watch will be made the same way – individually by hand by a skilled Swiss watchmaker. We are confident of our partners in Switzerland so we foresee no issues in delivering the product to you. If we are not able to ship to you, we’ll refund your money.
How much is internationally shipping? Am I responsible for taxes and duties in my country?
We will cover shipping to USA, Canada and Europe. For areas outside of this, we will charge a an additional fee depending on the product. This extra fee will help us cover some of the costs we incur in shipping it to your door. Keep in mind that you are responsible for paying your own country’s taxes and duties when the products arrive.
Can you ship to my country?
There are some countries we are not able to ship to, we will review every order and let you know if we are not able to ship to your location, if that is the case we will work with you to resolve the problem. If we are not able to find a solution then we will refund your money to you. If you would like to confirm before you place an order please do not hesitate to contact us.
If You Have Made It This Far
If you have made it this far you clearly like what we are doing, but perhaps it is not what you are looking for - that is OK we understand not everyone likes Swiss made mechanical watches. But if you like what we are about then please do not hesitate to share the word through social media and the Indigogo share tools just #SNGLRTYWATCH. We love you for reading to the end!