New models and ongoing projects

[Yao]

With the launch of the 12-hr GMT sapphire Paradive I am sure some are wondering what's going to happen to the Project 300 and Project GMT. In fact the new launch will effect the open projects but not in the way some might think. Ever since we began the restructuring in the Winter of 2010 there has been a drive that will last a few more years to reduce the number of pre-order slots we sell in order to deliver what we have on hand. The result of this ongoing process is to reduce the lead times for customers and pre-order customers alike. The ultimate goal is to deliver watches to customers purchasing what is in stock to less than 2 weeks and to complete the delivery of pre-order watches for a Project to less than 6 months.

I enjoy and value the involvement of our customers in watch development which is why we will continue to do these pre-order sponsored projects. The difference for now and the future is that it will be balanced with the orders we receive for what is currently in stock. We have structured our production schedule in order to balance the needs of these two types of offerings. There is time allocated to delivery of in-stock items and time allocated to the development and production of Project watches. We have to do both in order to keep things in balance and by doing so everything progresses together.

[Plat0]

Good news indeed. Forgive me for probing Bill, but is there a clearer word on another wave of non-LE Kingston in the works, the release of the new stingray and sea fighters? I only ask before I submit to my cravings to the secondhand market for my elusive Kingston. Thank you sir.

[Dragoon]

Love, Love, Love the GMT sapphire Paradive. May have to bite the bullet and get one even tho it is a bit out of my comfort zone price wise. Definitely a work of art! Good job, Bill!

What is the actual EFFECT on the open projects that we should expect from the Paradive launch?

Any updates on the status or next steps in the open projects at this point?

Thanks again Bill.

With the launch of the 12-hr GMT sapphire Paradive I am sure some are wondering what's going to happen to the Project 300 and Project GMT. In fact the new launch will effect the open projects but not in the way some might think.

We have to do both in order to keep things in balance and by doing so everything progresses together.

[Yao]

Love, Love, Love the GMT sapphire Paradive. May have to bite the bullet and get one even tho it is a bit out of my comfort zone price wise. Definitely a work of art! Good job, Bill!

What is the actual EFFECT on the open projects that we should expect from the Paradive launch?

Any updates on the status or next steps in the open projects at this point?

Thanks again Bill.

It essentially means that the effect is that everything stays in balance and that the open projects proceed according to plan, more or less. For example....as you probably noticed I have been able to spend more time on the forum these last 2 weeks, which is essential to moving the projects forward. To put it another way the fact that we are running parallel production schedules is planned. If we didn't run parallel production schedules we would end up having to run larger pre-orders like we did in the past, which is what was caused the long lead times and delays to begin with.

If we get a flood of Paradive orders we are just going to push out the lead times as the allotted slots in the schedule fill up. Which I think is in contrast to what you expected. I can only guess that you expected that we would drop everything and fill as many of the Paradive sapphire inlay orders as we could, which is not the case. The production schedule has allocations for the in stock watch delivery (e.g. Paradive), the Pre-order deliveries (e.g. Kingston) and project development. The new product launches are filling the vacancies in our current offering up left open by the Sea Fighter, Vantage and the phasing out of the LRRP.

I hope that clarifies the point.

[Yao]

Good news indeed. Forgive me for probing Bill, but is there a clearer word on another wave of non-LE Kingston in the works, the release of the new stingray and sea fighters? I only ask before I submit to my cravings to the secondhand market for my elusive Kingston. Thank you sir.

Non-LE Kingston: As controversial as it might be it is launching within the next week. We need a Specialist Series offering and the development of a Non-LE Kingston required the least amount of time and ironically allowed us to spend more of our resources on Kingston deliveries and the other open Projects. The Stingray was originally slated to be available by now but delays in its development pushed its launch back to the Q4 of 2012/Q1 of 2013.

Stingray: Currently in development

Sea Fighter: No plans at the moment. If it comes back it will come back in a few years since our schedule is pretty full for the next 18 months. If it does come back it will actually be substantially different from the version you know.

[gonzomantis]

Non-LE Kingston: As controversial as it might be it is launching within the next week. We need a Specialist Series offering and the development of a Non-LE Kingston required the least amount of time and ironically allowed us to spend more of our resources on Kingston deliveries and the other open Projects.

Please define what you mean by launching.

[Dragoon]

Wow, thats a lightning bolt! Lauching the non LE Kingston? More details, please!

Bill, I respect your business strategies and thoughtful implementations to proceed in that manner. I think you do your best to thoughtfully keep both your customers intrigued, excited, and enamored of your watches and your business growing and evolving in a sustainable and intelligent direction.

I wish you the best and think your watches are just some of the best values in the market today.

Now, about the NON LE Kingstons that are being LAUNCHED. UMMMMMM....this is blockbuster news. Please, more details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will gilt dials be available?

And , it is nice to hear more from you on the forum. Thanks!

Non-LE Kingston: As controversial as it might be it is launching within the next week. We need a Specialist Series offering and the development of a Non-LE Kingston required the least amount of time and ironically allowed us to spend more of our resources on Kingston deliveries and the other open Projects. The Stingray was originally slated to be available by now but delays in its development pushed its launch back to the Q4 of 2012/Q1 of 2013.

Stingray: Currently in development

Sea Fighter: No plans at the moment. If it comes back it will come back in a few years since our schedule is pretty full for the next 18 months. If it does come back it will actually be substantially different from the version you know.

[Yao]

Please define what you mean by launching.

I won't beat around the bush it means that we will be shipping watches. I realize this will be unpopular for those of you waiting but frankly there isn't another good option at this point beyond taking deposits for the Stingray or the non-LE Kingston which would then inflict the same problem we had with the Kingston deliveries on the Project 300, Project GMT and the Stingray.

We spent so much unplanned time with the Kingston delivery projects like the Stingray that were supposed to be available by now were postponed or their development was slowed by the Kingston deliveries. In reality we would have to launch a new Specialist Series watch now no matter what and if it was the Stingray essentially we would be bogged down with teething problems which always happen with a brand new production batch. Launching the non-LE Kingston, ironically, leads to the smallest impact on the delivery schedule for the Kingstons themselves as well as the smallest impact on the Project GMT and Project 300 down the road. Although I have to admit that it is the by far the least politically correct option available. If the Stingray development had gone smoother and we were able to launch now the situation would actually be worse for the Kingston deliveries because there are too many issues you can't plan for in a new production batch. The only upside is that the appearances would be more palatable.

[Yao]

Wow, thats a lightning bolt! Lauching the non LE Kingston? More details, please!

Bill, I respect your business strategies and thoughtful implementations to proceed in that manner. I think you do your best to thoughtfully keep both your customers intrigued, excited, and enamored of your watches and your business growing and evolving in a sustainable and intelligent direction.

Thanks. I am sure not everyone will feel the same but appreciate the support from those that understand that I am doing the best I can given the cards I have to play.

Now, about the NON LE Kingstons that are being LAUNCHED. UMMMMMM....this is blockbuster news. Please, more details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will gilt dials be available?

And , it is nice to hear more from you on the forum. Thanks!

More details will be available in the coming days. But no there will not be a gilt dial option in accordance with the LE parameters.

[tmoris]

Thanks. I am sure not everyone will feel the same but appreciate the support from those that understand that I am doing the best I can given the cards I have to play.

well, i dont think its much of an issue as long as the original promises are kept (no gilt, no kingston name, no big crown (even though im not sure that one was promised), etc..)