The Bali Ha'i Project

[Darkman]

Soooo.... for a while now I've been in discussions to produce a small run of divers' watches, and the project is slowly taking shape...

As I near the critical juncture, I'd very much like to have some feedback from all you expert WUS folk... first, is it too late? I see lots of people creating these boutique runs. My focus is a bit different, want to have a vintage/tool feel with a bit of a sense of humor (but subtle, maybe a funky case-back pic or similar, very vintage/classic dial & outward appearance), but I worry that maybe the marketplace is getting crowded.

Here's the now-revised [early/original] specs/features list:

-Swiss watch, ETA 2824-2 automatic mechanical movement

-chunky/substantial boat anchor-sized case, 44 mm [orig. sought more classic size 42 mm, suitable for under-shirt cuff wear when unavoidable; still possible future plans on that one, but movements avail now with larger case, so I jumped]

-[22 or] 24 mm strap (and probably strap with avail bracelet)

-classic, simple dial - circles and bars, but not a mere sub clone

-strong lume a must - I'm a lume fan

-solid high-quality 316L stainless, preferably beadblasted or brushed/matte finish

-oversized crown, signed, at 3 o'clock [orig thought 4 o'clock crown]

-HRV [orig unsure about HRV, considered eschew for more vintage feel]

-solid depth rating, tested - 1000m [or 500m]

-new custom bezel / diver numbering [?possible countdown style (numbers reversed)]

-sapphire crystal, flat (?or slight dome), 4mm+ thick

-hands (saving this one... I have some very specific ideas, tribute to classic Omega divers)

-nice package for delivery with real Pelican case

-Italian NBR (BC) strap - (what do folks prefer - black, orange, Panerai-style, or dive/corrugated?)

-funky cool tiki back

-some of edition available in black PVD? (interest?)

General thoughts? My working name for the model is the Bali Ha'i, which captures the relaxed Polynesian feel I'm after...I might be more of an "enjoy-a-cheeseburger-on-the-dock" kinda guy, but I want to know my watch would perform at 500m., even if I might not... call it overengineering. It'd be important to me that this thing actually be used for its intended purpose, though, and I'm thinking of ways to encourage that, too. (Free accessories for sweet dive shots?)

What do you guys think? Probably numbered engraved edition of 100, would try to keep pricepoint aggressive / close to cost, land in $800-900 range (with bracelet; slightly less if without). [Oct. note - still on target here, looks good w/ bracelet included; some sort of advance order / WUS discount in the works]

Yep. [yea or nay?]

Chris "Darkman" Cihon
Dallas, TX