Tag / kickstarter

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Alberta Watches

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

Your choice of a lovely blue or deep green dial (with black or brown leather strap), plus a classic field watch design from the newly launched Alberta Watches.

Your choice of a lovely blue or deep green dial (with black or brown leather strap), plus a classic field watch design from the newly launched Alberta Watches.

If you read any of my work over at VOUCH Mag, you might recognize this week’s Style Pick of the Week. While past Style Pick entries have run the gamut from American-made henleys to drool-worthy knit trousers , there’s something that’s simply too good to pass up about an affordably priced watch. And that’s exactly what Alberta Watches is offering with its newly launched Kickstarter campaign. The brand, inspired by the Canadian wilds and launched by former product designer Leo Josephy, is delivering classic field watches starting at just $58. That’s right … $58 (but for a limited time!). Funding spots at the low, low early bird price of $47 already filled up via the Kickstarter campaign, (which has quickly shot past its funding goal), but the standard price of $65 for one watch is stellar, too. Throw in your choice of a black or brown leather strap and either a vibrant blue or deep green dial, and you’ve absolutely got a winning combination.

An up-close look at the handmade Horween leather strap that's also an option through the Kickstarter campaign. Photo courtesy of Alberta Watches.

An up-close look at the handmade Horween leather strap that’s also an option through the Kickstarter campaign. Photo courtesy of Alberta Watches.

Ben Sherman US

Get in on this while it lasts, because these watches feature a just-right 41mm diameter, mineral glass crystal and a Japanese Miyota movement. The option to swap in a Horween leather strap handmade by a master saddlemaker in Calgary, Alberta sweetens the deal, too. Note that the early bird Kickstarter price of $76 gets you the Horween leather strap, with a standard price of $95 thereafter. So at the most, under the century mark for a beautifully produced watch (set for production in the same factory that handles Bulova timepieces).  While it’s essential to match your watch leather to your belt and shoes in dressier situations, this is one watch that could wear just as easily with a crisp pocket T-shirt and shorts as it could with a blazer and khaki chinos. The difficult part about funding this campaign will be the waiting — delivery date is slated for October 2015 — but this is one watch I’ve got on my hot list now.

Would you fund this Kickstarter campaign? What are your thoughts on the design and construction of these watches?

Ernest Alexander

by Beau H.

Brand Profile: Tom Cridland Trousers

Editor’s note: To read past brand profiles on the blog, click here.

A U.K.-based brand expanding into the U.S. via Kickstarter.

A U.K.-based brand expanding into the U.S. via Kickstarter.

The men’s pants market has received several shots in the arm across the past half-decade or so, notably from Bonobos and their tremendous Washed Chinos. Of course, Bonobos has since expanded into brick-and-mortar Guideshops across the country. Some brands are still doing it the “old-fashioned” way in this new age of technology, starting with an online presence and expanding from there. Tom Cridland is a curious case in this regard — they’ve got a solid brand base in the UK (and stock in certain physical retailers), along with a full e-commerce retail site, but they’ve recently taken to Kickstarter to finance a push into the States (check out the full Kickstarter campaign here).  Check out more coverage on their brand blog here, as well.

Tom Cridland's Classic Navy option.

Tom Cridland’s Classic Navy option.

They’re offering cotton trousers in a wide array of bright colors for now, similar to Bonobos, and they’re aiming to raise $20,000 by Feb. 15. That’s a pretty tight deadline, but the campaign to date has raised more than $11,000. The brand’s offerings range from a Classic Navy chino to louder colors, like a Chili Red pair of chinos (seen below) that wouldn’t look out of place with a pared-down set of white sneakers and a grey henley this summer.

A more vibrant Chili Red that could be dialed down with minimal accessories.

A more vibrant Chili Red that could be dialed down with minimal accessories.

The fit of these pants looks particularly promising for those who favor a slim cut — from the photos, these pants look like they should rival something like the Bonobos Slim Tailored option. However, they’re only offering a slim cut, for now — that leaves those with more leg muscle out in the cold. Sizes do run from 30R to 40L. And note that while Kickstarter can be tricky for certain men’s fashion campaigns, this has a solid base to build off and some good deals for those who contribute (a pledge of $98 gets you a pair of Tom Cridland trousers — normal retail $139). On top of that, for $176, you can knock $100 off the normal retail price for two pairs of trousers. A bonus: Worldwide shipping is included in the pledge.

At full retail, those prices are certainly a cut above what most of us would pay — that’s what makes this Kickstarter so advantageous. And if you’ve been looking to take the plunge on a more colorful pair of pants, these could be just the ticket — remember, just one pop of color at a time though!

Any plans to contribute to this Kickstarter campaign? Thoughts on Tom Cridland? Let me know below!