WE DID IT!
about 3 years ago – Wed, Mar 31, 2021 at 09:45:28 PM

YESSSSS!!!

Wow. I honestly don't know what to say to you all. THANK YOU SO MUCH! This little dream of starting a watch company is actually happening and you are a massive part of that. I seriously can't find the right words to tell you how appreciative I am. It's a bit surreal, and a lot humbling. 

Now comes the fun part. I get to go and make a bunch of watches! 

Here's generally what's going to happen:

- First thing is I will be sending out a pre-survey survey today. That sounds silly, I know, but let me explain: For the first couple weeks after the campaign ends, Kickstarter will be busy collecting funds and resolving any issues with declined cards, etc. I can't send out the REAL survey until that is done, but I can send out a pre-survey just so that I can get a sense of how many of each color combination I'll need to make. The answers to this survey are not final.

- Then in two weeks, I'll be sending out the REAL survey. This one will be where you make your final selections on the color options. You'll also be able to add on any additional add-on items that you'd like. This is not in place of add ons that you may have already added!

- The main benefit of this is that I'll be making the mesh strap available as an add on item! We pretty much hit the $80k stretch goal, and I personally just want to see them happen! 

- You'll have about a week to lock in your survey answers, and then all that's left to do is simply wait for the watches to get made! This generally takes about 3 months, but I will be providing updates all along the way. 

- Once production is complete, all of the watches will arrive at Trafford HQ where I will personally check each watch for quality control. We will then begin shipping them out to you!

Again, thank you so much for being a part of this process with me. It's a really exciting time for me personally, and I can't wait to get these on your wrists! 

We will be constantly checking the comments and messages here on Kickstarter, but you can also reach out to us any time at [email protected]. 

THANK YOU!!!

Nathan Trafford

Final 24 Hours
about 3 years ago – Tue, Mar 30, 2021 at 07:18:44 PM

First of all, I just want to say thank you so much to all of you. I will expand on this a little more once the campaign ends, but I wanted to make sure that you all know how much I appreciate you! 

This is the final 24 hours of the campaign. I'm thrilled with how it's gone, and I'm looking forward to jumping into the fun part of getting these things built and on your wrists! I'll detail everything that needs to happen in an update shortly after the campaign ends.

For this last update, all I'm asking for is for you to please share with your friends, family, or anybody that you know who has an interest in watches, motorsport, or WW2 history. I'm proud that this has been a true Kickstarter and isn't backed by a giant advertising machine. It's all been word of mouth and I appreciate you all for that. Let's give it one last push to get it over the line! 

Thanks so much, and I'll see you on the other side!

-Nathan 

A quick update and new feature!
about 3 years ago – Tue, Mar 16, 2021 at 09:50:35 PM

Hi friends! We're about halfway into the campaign, and are thrilled with the response from you all. Almost 200 backers! That's amazing to me!!

I'm SO excited that the Mazaud Red stretch goal has been met. I've been wearing my red prototype all week, and it really is very nice! Remember that this will ONLY be available during this Kickstarter campaign. It will never be made again! 

Here's a few photos:

Next thing:

Thanks to your feedback, we have decided to number each watch built during this first production run. This is a nice way to mark the success of our first release! It will be located on the case, in between the lugs at 6 oclock. Note that the photo below is still using the longer and thinner lugs. The final production will have shorter and thicker lugs and this number will be more obscured by the strap.

Another big thank you to all of my backers who are making this little dream of mine a reality. I appreciate you all SO much! 

Please continue to share with anybody that you think may be interested in this! We can't drop a dump truck full of cash into advertising like some of these other campaigns, so we have to rely on you all being awesome people and spreading the word! The only way we can afford to do cool little add-ons like this numbering is by getting as much support as we can! 

Thank you all and have a fantastic week! 

-Nathan Trafford

Mazaud Red is now available!!
about 3 years ago – Thu, Mar 11, 2021 at 09:32:21 AM

YESSSSS!! 

We did it! The beautiful Mazaud Red color option is unlocked and available!! Let's have a look!

A few notes

This is a Kickstarter Exclusive color. This is literally the only time that we're going to make the red version. Ever. So if you're thinking about it... now is the time to jump on it because you won't be able to later on! 

We've doubled the amount of Super Early Double Up rewards available. This should help out anybody who signed on for a single early on, but want to add another at the nice $250 price. Remember, you can always adjust your pledge amount at any point during the campaign, or select a different reward option. 

We have also added reward options for the bundle of 4 watches. It will come with a custom display box, though it is unknown at this point in time if I can source a 4 slot box, or if it will ship with the 6 slot box. I'll keep you updated on that.

The Mazaud version will still ship with a book about his life and career, but it is worth noting that it will be significantly shorter than the books that come with Grover-Williams, Benoist, or Wimille. Robert Mazaud did help with the war effort against the Nazis and helped the other men in the story by transporting arms and supplies. He also had a very successful racing career. There is simply significantly less historical data and images available about him than there are about our main drivers. 

New stretch goal!

I can't believe we hit the first two stretch goals so fast! We're only 10 days in! 

The next stretch goal is set at $80,000 and is a lovely steel mesh bracelet add-on option. A lot of folks will only buy a watch if it comes with a bracelet, so this is for them! This mesh bracelet gives the watch a little more of a dressy feel, while still being sporty. The texture almost looks like the tread of tires. It features an adjustable clasp that is signed with the Trafford logo. Once this is unlocked, you will be able to add it to your order for an additional $40. You will simply have to adjust your pledge and add the add-on item to your pledge. These will retail for $80 after the campaign, so that's a nice little 50% off discount. Let's take a look at some photos! Please excuse my hairy sasquatch arms... 

Every day I am humbled to see new people back this little dream of mine. Thank you SO much! I can't wait to get these things out and see photos of them out in the wild! 

Best,

Nathan

Stretch goal #1 UNLOCKED!! Sweeeeeeeeet!!
about 3 years ago – Thu, Mar 04, 2021 at 07:48:32 AM

Oh man! I'm SO excited that this one is happening! THANK YOU to all of our backers! 

What this means is that in every box will be a matching NATO strap! You don't have to take any further action. And they are COOL. The stripes match up perfectly with the stripes on the watch dial, and give the whole thing an even more sporty feel. WAHOO!! 

If you want to be crazy and put a blue strap on the black dial watch, you can purchase additional NATO straps for $15 each. 

NOW FOR SOME MORE FUN NEWS!

We can now reveal the next stretch goal! Let us introduce you to the 4th color option, and the next driver in the story: Robert Mazaud. While he wasn't as highly involved as a spy as Grover-Williams, Benoist or Wimille, he was instrumental to the cause by working with them to transport weapons and other supplies across the French Resistance networks. He survived the war and in fact went on to be a very successful race car driver. And the cool thing: he had the most success driving his deep RED Maserati. This is the dial color option that will become available if we hit $50,000 in funding. As an extra incentive, this color will ONLY be available through this Kickstarter campaign. This will literally be the only place you can get it. Once the Kickstarter is over, they will never be made again. Just like the other versions, this will come with a book that details the driver's life and racing career. 

LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!! Please please consider sharing the campaign to help get it across the line!

As always, please reach out with any questions you may have!

Best,

Nathan Trafford