SCHAFFEN Kickstarter

[Itsguy]

Couldn’t resist this one, my hand slipped and I ordered one before I’d even had time to think about it!

https://wristwatchreview.com/2018/01...-i-could-love/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...-by?ref=5k66as





Hope it lives up to the pictures, but this looks very up my street! Pretty obvious what the inspirations are, but IWC don’t make the Genta style Ingenieur any more, and their crown guard was too big anyway. There’s also a touch of the Laureato, but I wonder if I actually prefer this take on the bezel. It seems at first sight that they’ve fixed most of my niggles with the Laureato and the old ‘Jumbo’ Ingenieur in fact. Customised writing on the dial, and designing your own rotor is also a good twist. The shape of things to come? Super-early bird pricing still available, £370 was just too tempting... hope it all works out!

[PaulM]

The "High-precision 3D-printed in 316L stainless steel rotor " sounds interesting, does anyone know how 3D printing 316 st/st works, I know how ceramics are done but how do you get metal to re- bond from microscopic grain into a solid again without being brittle ?

[Wooster]

Schaff(haus)en indeed :))

[Itsguy]

Schaff(haus)en indeed :))

‘Create’ in German, which is convenient coincidence ;-)

Actually it’s another detail they’ve got right, a convincing looking brand name / logo on a watch from a small brand is always tricky and often lets down the dial, but this is convincing - as well as reminding you of a certain other brand of course. We’ll see about the textured dial, the only element I’m not 100% about, but then the very flat dial was one of my complaints about the last Genta style Ingy.

[Miocene]

Both are attractive watches, but for me the Ingy is just too similar. I like the dressier watch, and with all (most) of these KS projects it seems like good value - not sure how detailed the rotor could be though. The one on WWR doesn't look fantastic imo.

[Itsguy]

Both are attractive watches, but for me the Ingy is just too similar.

For me that’s half the appeal. I always fancied the Ingy but found it slightly oversized, not due to the 40mm case size so much as the wide, flat crown guards that blended in with the case, and made it look like 44mm from some angles - though it was at least nice and thin. The chunky H link bracelet was also a big part of the attraction.

[Belligero]

Schaff(haus)en indeed :))

Quite.

I believe they missed a trick by not naming it the "Inge-near". ;)

[monogroover]

The "High-precision 3D-printed in 316L stainless steel rotor " sounds interesting, does anyone know how 3D printing 316 st/st works, I know how ceramics are done but how do you get metal to re- bond from microscopic grain into a solid again without being brittle ?

Fender (the guitar company) used to use bridge saddles (blocks of metal that the string passes over) made from powdered steel, so that they could be moulded. Some sort of very high temperature baking process I think.

[Sparjar]

Oh it's the IC Schaffen Ingnir

[PaulM]

Fender (the guitar company) used to use bridge saddles (blocks of metal that the string passes over) made from powdered steel, so that they could be moulded. Some sort of very high temperature baking process I think.

I've seen high temp and high pressure metal moulding but never 3D printed metal, 3D printed ceramics have to be carefully baked to remove the moisture after printing.
I've just never seen it done with metal, I'd hazzard a guess the finish is not exactly glossy so lots of polishing would be required after printing, and dimensional accuracy would be controlled by grain size and machine resolution.

[Itsguy]

Thanks for posting the pics and first impressions - I’m looking forward to mine now. Good to see the clasp, that looks to have turned out well. And are those a couple of half links at the end?

[redmonaco]

One of the best looking Kickstarters IMO!!

[Itsguy]

A quick and blurry lume shot on the phone, but hopefully you get the idea, very clear to read. Will see how long it lasts...

Edit - slightly better lume shot:

[Lukeott]

The "High-precision 3D-printed in 316L stainless steel rotor " sounds interesting, does anyone know how 3D printing 316 st/st works, I know how ceramics are done but how do you get metal to re- bond from microscopic grain into a solid again without being brittle ?

Probably done with a Metal Laser Sintering machine (3D printer). Powdered metal is fused layer by layer using a laser. The finish is not that great and would need post machining or polishing.

[LorneG]

The "High-precision 3D-printed in 316L stainless steel rotor " sounds interesting, does anyone know how 3D printing 316 st/st works, I know how ceramics are done but how do you get metal to re- bond from microscopic grain into a solid again without being brittle ?

Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM). This additive manufacturing process uses a high-powered laser to melt and fuse successive layers of powdered metal into three-dimensional solid parts.

Quote taken from https://www.starrapid.com/

Last time I looked into 3D metal printing the finish was a little 'granular' that needed polishing and finishing. The finish on the rotor pics though looks very good, so perhaps the technology has pushed much closer to jewellery standards.

Damned impressive watch for the price!

[Itsguy]

In a weird twist of fate, the dial appears to match the carpet in a hotel I was in yesterday....





Any thoughts on preferred dial colour? Grey seems a safe bet but the white looks good too. I’m also looking for inspiration on the custom rotor design if anyone has any thoughts or examples. I’ve bagged number 009 after they offered a choice of numbers.

Looks like it’s more than funded now but still available at super-early bird price of £372. Has anyone else grabbed one?

[rincewind]

Has anyone else grabbed one?

Yep, i have. What's near enough a 3227 for less than £400? That's a no brainer IMO. Grey dial for me.

[Itsguy]

Yep, i have. What's near enough a 3227 for less than £400? That's a no brainer IMO. Grey dial for me.

That’s what I thought - and with a decent auto movement and some personalisation to make it a bit more special. One hell of a beater if nothing else. It would be interesting to see what people are planning with the customisation options.

[rincewind]

The movement was a real selling point for me, i've only got one watch with a Sellita movement, an Eterna, and it's the most accurate watch i own.

I'm mulling rotor designs, but in all honesty i like theirs so i may just go for one of them.

[wombleh]

Liking the look of the sports one, can't decide which dial colour though. One of each is probably a bit ott!

[Lovewatches108]

Is it still possible to order these? Or has the campaign closed?

[nuru]

Is it still possible to order these? Or has the campaign closed?

The KS campaign has long closed, but I think you can order from https://www.schaffenwatches.com/

[torsinsit]

Interested in the s65 royal blue but still concern on real color look and weight

[Itsguy]

Sounds like a butterfly clasp is coming as a stretch goal - great news as a bracelet like that deserves a nice seamless clasp.

[trident-7]

There's definitely a look of the 3227 IWC about the sports model with hints of the PP Nautilus bracelet

[torsinsit]

Further pic of the Royal Blue that I received in my email after message him on KS. And the weight of S65 is at 140g.

[jazzman]

Photo's not working mate


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[Skyman]

Many thanks OP for highlighting this project. S65 pledge placed. I really like the design and personalisation options. Seems fun.👍

[Itsguy]

Just a quick note to say that a butterfly clasp and bracelet screws rather than pins have been confirmed as a stretch goal if they sell another 20% before the end of the campaign, which seems likely. In any case it will be avialable as an option even if they don’t get there. Pretty much the only two things I’d have changed really. Perhaps a more decorated movement would have been a good option, but probably not if it pushed the price up, the low price is half the point. There’s also a leather strap for the S65 as a more distant stretch goal, I don’t know if they’ll make that target but presumably it will also be available as an option at additional cost if they don’t.

Probably the more plausible of the two kickstarters being discussed on the forum currently, all things considered!

[carryondentist]

I’ve ordered one of the sport models. It combines a number of design cues I like from the more expensive inspiration pieces, in a decent size at just under 40mm.

The ability to adjust the bracelet was my only concern, but looks to have a fix with the first stretch goal. Just need to be creative with the rotor design.

[snowman]

Probably the more plausible of the two kickstarters being discussed on the forum currently, all things considered!

Nah, my money's on the McAnus with a night of pleasure with a lady from his stable of his choice as a stretch!

M

[snowman]

Had the watch on fairly continuously, except to sleep, for the last 2 days and I'm impressed by how comfortable it is.

I've a few bracelets with deployant like clasps and some dig into the underside of my wrist, but no such problem with this one.

If you've bought one, I'll be interested to see what you think, but I'm very impressed with mine (maybe my standards aren't high enough! ) and if you're on the fence about buying one, I would say don't be.

M

[barbosas]

Still waiting for mine S65 here, out of curiosity, what was your backer number on KS?

Cheers

[jazzman]

I wonder if the s65 will cost 40% more after tha campaine.
I funded the ventus mori brass on kickstarter last year and when the public could buy it later same year the price was the same.


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[Itsguy]

I wonder if the s65 will cost 40% more after tha campaine.
I funded the ventus mori brass on kickstarter last year and when the public could buy it later same year the price was the same.


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Does it really matter though? The way I see it you either want to support the watch being built and you like the price or you don’t, and I was pleased to get number 9. I guess the idea of an early bird discount is quite motivating, but the price might depend on demand in the long run. I had the Nezumi chronograph Kickstarter and it did go up later on, so it does happen. A good watch too, though I let it go the end - but at these kinds of prices it’s just not a big deal to move them on if you don’t bond. Personally I hope Schaffen sell a few more before the end of the campaign, they are tantalisingly close to the first stretch goal now with six days to go.

Really looking forward to it! If only every watch cost this kind of price (I think there’s another thread about that...)

[nuru]

Seems my backer # is 219. I finally got tracking information (had to ask by email) and it seems my watch shipped on or around October 11, after Schaffen having asked me to verify my shipping details on September 29.

I set up email alerts with the local post service, and imagine my surprise as I received an email this morning, telling me I had had a notification card in my mail box yesterday. No, there definitely was none. (Tracking also told me a second, unrelated international small parcel had been delivered to my mailbox yesterday, which also had not showed up...) So I was kind of happy to have tracking information because this allowed me to go to my local post office and ask them what the hell was going on. Unfortunately this seems to be a pattern for international signed-for small parcels that are treated as "big letters" by my local postal service.

Now I am hoping to pick it up at the other post office (of course it was not at the one where the tracking told me it would be) tonight. Fingers crossed.

[Itsguy]

In case anyone is interested or on the fence, they've just announced that they will definitely be doing the first stretch goal for the the S65, which is the butterfly clasp and bracelet screws instead of pins (regardless of whether they make their target). This is a great as the Ingenieur-like bracelet really deserved a smooth clasp and will be much easier to adjust. They've also brought the second stretch goal of an optional leather strap a lot closer, though there would have to be a late surge in these last couple of days to get there I think.

[nuru]

And it arrived:



Sorry for the atrocious photo quality.

[snowman]

Been fence sitting on this, but I've finally bitten.

Looks like a great 'suit' watch.

I'm going for 'hotel carpet grey'

No idea what's going on my rotor though...

M.

[wombleh]

I held off, maybe a few more photos would have helped but am still not sure about the carpet effect.

[murkeywaters]

So tempted by this KS, question is though do you really personalize it or play it safe and keep it neutral?

You may want to flip it if it’s not to your taste??


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[jazzman]

If you don't touch the dial, you can always change the rotor.
You can still pre order


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[snowman]

If you don't touch the dial, you can always change the rotor.
You can still pre order

I've been offered a unique serial number of my choosing (sure others have too) and will probably try and customise the rotor (I'm thinking of working the shape of the Matterhorn into it, if they can), but I'll leave the dial alone.

M

[ac11111]

The finish on the bracelet looks really good, makes you think how the Gerald genta watches charge what they do


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[charlies]

What a lovely watch , reminds me off an audermars piquet


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[snowman]

What a lovely watch , reminds me off an audermars piquet

Is that the one that pushes other watches off your wrist on request?

M

[Artium]

More colour options please Schaffen! Yellow dial would be great!

[jazzman]

Are you starting to get the watches?


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[Belligero]

^

Nope — try as I may, I just don’t get the “homage” thing.

[Itsguy]

Are you starting to get the watches?

They have released a few photos of finished rotors on Instagram, I’m assuming they are among the first. I’m not expecting mine soon as I haven’t managed to nail down the custom rotor design. I’d love to see anyone else’s designs.

^

Nope — try as I may, I just don’t get the “homage” thing.

Very funny, but I’m not sure this is exactly a homage in the usual sense. More of a cross between homages to the Ingenieur and Laureato, with some original ideas and custom elements thrown in for good measure. Either way, given that IWC don’t seem to want Genta’s Ingenieur, someone else might as well have a go.