We're building TWO watch companies in America! Subscribe and follow along with us. Welcome to Custer and Wolfe: Building a Watch Company! We're here to bring you the unique story of how the Vortic Watch Company came to be, as well as updates on our progress in building Colorado Watch Company right here in beautiful Fort Collins. Vortic Watch Company converts antique American pocket watches into wristwatches, preserving American history, one watch at a time. Check our RU-vid channel here: www.youtube.com/@vorticwatchcompany?sub_confirmation=1 Colorado Watch Company creates modern American wristwatches, reinvigorating American manufacturing at scale. Visit our websites and check out our Instagram @custerandwolfe and subscribe to stay up to date!
I am NOT worthy to comment on these Champions of American Manufacturing and Problem Solving. Their dedication and ingenuity should inspire many in this country. I watched everyone of the update videos and hope they take this is the friendly joshing way I intend. But when I heard their detailed non-over-the-top discussions, I could not unsee the comparison - NPR's Delicious Dish: Irish Cuisine - SNL ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mgc4SL0iGA8.html Again, I am sorry if it offends. I hope to Save and buy this Fine American Watch.
New here. I'm interested in the topic of American made watch companies. I have an Indiana based watch company near me, so I'm big in supporting American made watches!
Welcome! Thanks for following along. If you're interested, definitely check out this video we did on the history of the Great American Watch Companies: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u6Oh0R054A0.html
Thanks for checking out the video! We only had room for 10 companies on this map, so we chose the 10 that were the most American-made and highest volume, plus ones we could actually convert to wristwatches. Gruen only made a couple models in the USA, and most of their production was done overseas. There are a great number of other brands like Gruen, and many that had partial production or assembly in America, but these 10 companies stood out to us and continue to as we learn more.
Love the way that looks, and to me, that case is an extra bonus. Having a place to keep extra straps or repurpose the case for something else is great, thanks for the update!
LOVE that box! Made in the USA, custom foam with logo and the strap storage binder - way to go, guys! I love what you're doing and appreciate the updates. This GCT package is just going to be super cool.
Thanks for sharing your feedback! We are often making little tweaks as we work out these different facets of the business. Consider your thoughts noted!
I have been looking for USA watches developed, designed, produced, and sold domestically. I have found a few companies ie Weiss and RGM but I am looking forward to purchasing one of your Colorado watches. I missed the kickstarter but I hope to see sales in 2024/2025.
We suggest you watch the full video to get a better grasp of what we do. No less than three people are involved in the process of making these buckles alone, not to mention the rest of us here.
The transparency of your process is so great. Thank you for sharing your journey. All of the effort and trouble you are going through will make it worth it in the end. I can’t wait to get my GCT and these videos give me confidence you guys are committed to getting it right. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! We will continue to share and do everything we can to provide the best piece we are capable of. Thank you again!
As someone who joined in on the Kickstarter campaign, I would rather hear the watches are the quality you're shooting for and behind schedule than being rushed and not to the level of product you want to provide. Still very excited about having my field watch arrive! (I live in Colorado Springs so if you want to send mine first I would be totally cool with that. Lol, jk of course!) Another solid update video, thanks!
Thank you for the kind words and support! We agree and we’ll keep our heads down focused on making the best watch possible for you regardless of the headwinds!
Love the decorated rotor! Very glad I Kickstarted ya for one each; I may be tempted to wear one on each wrist. Perhaps one with the caseback up. Well, probably not but the decorated rotor is gorgeous. Great idea being realized. Thanks gentlemen!
We just received the hats and we’re shipping them to Kickstarter backers first, then we’ll get them up on the site for sale! It may be a little bit, but we have plenty now and they’re awesome! Please email us if you want to buy a hat and we’ll send you a link to purchase when it’s ready.
Super excited about the rotor. That looks so great. I chose option number 5 because I thought it was a smooth white dial. I wanted it to look almost like an old enamel dial. Now getting to see the ridges it will have, I think I may want to switch. Is there any way to get final-final versions of these dial options, provide high-rez photos of each, and then ask us one last time to confirm our choice? (Customers are such a pain... sorry.)
We totally get it and we'd love to do anything we can! Please email us at info@coloradowatchcompany.com and we’ll start a conversation and get you what you need!
I'm excited to get my field watch! Really looking forward to a shipping notice! Slightly bummed it doesn't have a screw down crown but so be it, still love the look of the variation I chose. Looking forward to more content and new watch projects in the future!
The extra strap brought a grin; the decorated rotor brings three cheers! Bravo! And Tyler is correct, the decorated rotor makes the watch a complete project. It is greatly appreciated. Great decision. Can't wait to receive it. Thank you.
As a former technical engineer, watch collector and a Kickstarter support to CWC, I appreciate the open, honest and technical update. I love the technical details you both cover. Nicely done. Look forward to the upcoming updates.
We just received the hats and we’re shipping them to Kickstarter backers first, then we’ll get them up on the site for sale! It may be a little bit, but we have plenty now and they’re awesome! Please email us if you want to buy a hat and we’ll send you a link to purchase when it’s ready.
I can’t wait for the new GCT! I should have ordered a field watch too. The stripes with Red log really pop now. I’ll find the perfect pocket watch for conversion.
I really enjoyed this episode. I’m a Hamilton historian myself, and have owned a couple Model 21s, have a Model. 22 boxed gimbaled and unmounted, 992B (1941 and 1950). I have also visited the factory in Lancaster, PA that is now a condominium. I highly recommend visiting the NAWCC museum in Columbia. The original Hamilton archives are stored there for researchers. For example, I located the Model 21 timing cards for that were used at the Naval Observatory for initial quality control. My boxed and gimbaled Mod . 22 is one of my most prized possessions because of the engineering, science and technology that went into its production. A true masterpiece.
Thank you so much for sharing, it's great to hear from others with a similar passion! What cool pieces you have found. Absolute masterpieces indeed. Thanks again!
This company is awesome. I had my great grandfathers pocket watch converted a couple of years ago. My dad said he never saw his grandfather’s watch work. I’m going to give it to my grand boy. I have another pocket watch I am going to send it when I have extra money to pass down to my second grand boy. Awesome company and the watches are the best. I love wearing my great grandfather’s watch. A lot of amazing history. Keep up the great work.
Thank you for your kind words! What a special heirloom for your family to continue to enjoy, it's what we truly love to see. We appreciate your support and look forward to continue to serve you and your family in the future!
I live in Colorado, and love watches. I was hoping that there would be a model that I liked. You didn’t quite hit one I like this time, but I intend to keep an eye on your brand.
Great update, really glad to see a standard rubber strap for the GCT instead of the fitted - it would have hidden that great case finishing and I think the case will look more contiguous. Great attention to detail, guys!
1910 to 1940 was the hey-day of American watchmaking at scale. "Best" is hard to define as there were some spectacular pocket watches made in the 1800s with many complications, but most were one-off watches made for collectors and cannot be enjoyed by many people today. Since those companies made so many watches in the early 1900s, there are a ton of great pocket watches to choose from and they can be found at decent prices today. Check out the Hamilton 992B if you want a classic and excellent railroad pocket watch that won't break the budget!
@@CusterWolfe Thanks for the reply! My Lancaster is from 1949. So when did US production start to finally fall off and forever give way to wristwatches?
It started after WWI but escalated quickly after WWII. Most of these watch companies went out of business in the 40s and 50s. Hamilton lasted the longest and went under in 1969.@@Johnfsu
@@vorticwatchcompany One last question because I don't want to keep you from prepping for the awesome M.E. release, but so far it looks like only some of the more recent (1940s) Lancaster movements have been size 10s (43mm). Did the other manufacturers not make many 10s? Or was this a size that came mostly later, hence Hamilton was still around to make them and the other companies already dissolved by the time 10s came into fashion?
@@Johnfsu excellent question! Other brands made 10size movements, but to your point, there weren't as many other brands around in the 1940s, so the most prevalent ones we've seen that we can use for pocket watch conversions were made by Hamilton and Elgin. So far we've only made Hamiltons, but don't worry, we're always working on fun new things!
