Hello everyone! This week I’ll be introducing LIV Swiss Watches, whose current “Breakthrough” campaign is now live on Kickstarter. You can visit their campaign page here. As of this point of writing, their campaign has already blown through their funding goals, with over $700,000 SGD raised!
LIV’s current Kickstarter campaign comprises of 4 models: GX P51 Swiss Auto Chronograph, GX Swiss Auto Chronograph, GX Divers Swiss Automatic, and the GX Alarm. (Seen left to right above) Certainly interesting offerings – let’s take a closer look at them!
LIV Watches – the Brand
LIV was founded by Chaz Chazanow, who (after being in the watch industry for 22 years) decided to establish a “direct-to-consumer microbrand crafting durable Swiss timepieces built to suit the modern man.” LIV launched their first Kickstarter campaign in 2014 offering the GX1 – their debut campaign was fully funded in 11 hours. Their most recent Kickstarter campaign featured the Rebel collection – after receiving 1.7 million USD from over 2,900 customers, the LIV Rebel collection became (and remains) the most crowdfunded Swiss watch in history.
LIV’s ongoing “Breakthrough” Kickstarter campaign is their 4th, and so far the response has been overwhelming. They named the campaign “The Breakthrough” because of the belief that the designs and functionalities of the watches they are offering this time round will take LIV to the next level.
Alright, without further ado let’s take a look at what they are offering!
LIV GX P51 SWISS AUTO CHRONOGRAPH PILOT’S WATCH
The jewel in the collection is undoubtedly the GX P51 Swiss Auto Chronograph, available in both titanium and stainless steel.
LIV dedicates this watch to the P51 Mustang WW2 Plane and constructed it out of a titanium case, ceramic bezel and a sapphire crystal (front and back). It features a 25 jewel Swiss automatic movement, the Sellita SW 500 movement, and is available on their Kickstarter campaign at 1190 USD. For the titanium version, the watch is limited to a mere 500 pieces. There will also be a non-titanium version of this watch limited to 1,000 pieces, the Pilot’s Steel, priced at 990 USD. Apart from case material, the specs are the same.
With this offering, it is evident that LIV is attempting to up the ante by utilizing more exotic materials such as titanium and a ceramic bezel. I like the strong aviation cues – the pilot styling is immediately evident. I appreciate that they maintained their distinctive design ethos in their latest watch here as well with the orange accents – not just on the dial, but also on the pushers. At under $1000 USD (for the steel variant), given the fact that you’re getting a Swiss movement chronograph with strong design cues, I’ll say that the value proposition is definitely very tempting. Also, a free watch winder will be included with the purchase of the Titanium variant!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: Sellita SW 500 Swiss automatic chronograph
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- 12 hour chronograph functions: hours, minutes, seconds
- Date displayed in window – quick set
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine Sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- 316L stainless steel case (non-titanium version)
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
LIV GX Swiss Auto Chronograph
Next up, we have another Swiss Automatic Chronograph.
LIV were inspired by their original Kickstarter watch when they set out to design this watch. During that first campaign, many of their fans were begging for the same timepiece, in an automatic version. With this model, they’ve finally answered their cries! Like the Pilot’s, this watch features a 25 jewel Swiss automatic movement (Sellita SW 500). This which is available on their Kickstarter campaign at 790 USD. This model is limited to 1000 pieces.
To me, this model represents LIV listening to their customers’ feedback. The value proposition is superb too – a mere 790 USD for a Swiss automatic chronograph! The Sellita SW500 movement is no slouch – IWC uses them as the base movement for their own chronographs. If you liked the design of LIV’s original watch, but couldn’t get over the quartz movement that was inside – well, fret no more!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: Sellita SW 500 Swiss automatic chronograph
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- 12 hour chronograph functions: hours, minutes, seconds
- Date displayed in window – quick set
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
LIV GX DIVER’S SWISS AUTOMATIC
While the aforementioned SW500-fitted chronographs are both strong offerings, the GX Diver’s is my pick of the bunch out of the “Breakthrough” collection.
LIV states that they “We did not create this watch for the faint of heart.” The watch features 300 meter/1000 feet water resistance, a ceramic rotating bezel, 25 jewel Swiss automatic movement (ETA 2824) and a sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens. It is now available on their Kickstarter Campaign for just 490 USD, and is limited to 1000 pieces.
I love the design of this watch. Divers are looking pretty generic nowadays, but this stands out. I especially love the black/orange variant – it just looks so vibrant and sporty! I like the center sunburst dial, and the wave-patterned upper layer placed above it. Also, the indices are applied, but the numerals are sandwiched – that’s so smart! Furthermore, they placed the minute track in a raised ring surrounding the dial. This watch has depth and contrast in spades, and I love it. . Also, I think the fact that it is able to achieve 300M of WR is quite commendable, given that it features a skeleton caseback! Getting a diver watch with an ETA movement inside for less than 500 USD is already a good deal – getting a Swiss ETA diver with ceramic bezel and such a thoughtfully designed dial is a bargain. By far, the LIV Swiss auto ceramic diver is my favourite, and I personally believe it represents the best value as well
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: ETA 2824 Swiss automatic
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- Special features: Incabloc Shock Protection, Etachron Regulator, Stone Lever Escapement, Quickset Date
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
LIV GX DIVER’S SWISS AUTOMATIC
Lastly, there is a quartz offering with an alarm function.
As the name states, the watch has an alarm function. It is powered by a RONDA 4120.B movement and has 100-meter water resistance. It is now available on LIV’s Kickstarter campaign for $290 USD. To be honest, I don’t feel much for this model – the fact that it has an alarm doesn’t really help me get over the fact that it is still quartz. At 290 USD, it’s pricey for a quartz watch as well. With the same amount of money, I would rather get a G-shock G Steel (which has, amongst a plethora of other functions, an alarm as well). Still, if you like the design and don’t mind the price and the quartz movement inside, go for it – though I’ll advise you to consider forking out just $200 USD more for the ETA-equipped diver instead!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: RONDA startech Caliber 4120.B
- Standard battery life: 50 months
- Special features: 2 eyes, multifunction, alarm, big date, small second, very easy handling by one pusher
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
Conclusion
Overall, LIV’s current Kickstarter campaign offers strong design and great value. I love the sporty, tough build of their watches – these are definitely watches made to accompany you on your daily adventures. There’s a reason why all of their Kickstarter campaign garner such an overwhelming response every time – this is a company that is repeatedly able to combine form and function at an accessible price point.
Do check out LIV’s Kickstarter campaign here now!
P.S Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wahsoshiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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