A Thick Skull! The $279 Rhodus Skull Diver

roadwarrior

Grand Tyme Master
Founding Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2014
Messages
64,654
7c86e077ec7dd6b2e85d114880d081cd_original.jpg

Nov 25, 2020

Just One More Watch

Kickstarter 3/4 for November! Ha! This one is really good in places, but a bit confused in others. The leather roll is spectacular, as is the lume, and the watch is very well made. I just wish it was a bit thinner and lighter, which should have been possible. It still very much deserves to get over the line, and I'm sure it will. All the best, Jody


1715a7b851e565b5ffa958e456106a19_original.jpg

8a643b66eb49ddfa001b89559ae3bc8f_original.jpeg

65a08da196fb22cc8ed14050c89cae5d_original.jpeg

9ed6bfeecd11eef2301b19f7a1755472_original.JPG

Hello there!
Welcome to the Rhodus Skull Diver campaign page.

As avid watch enthousiasts our dream was to develop a watch that pays tribute to the great nautical entrepreneurs of the past. Our core values and beliefs derive from hard and honest work. Delivering great quality products at an honest price. Entrepreneurship runs through our veins and we're determined to burn all bridges and make this project come to life! You can read our full story on our website!

This all resulting in our first step into the microbrand watch arena with the introduction of the Rhodus Skull Diver.

e68fe4fa54bdfcfc2faf6d5d960a1315_original.jpg


QUICK & DIRTY SPECIFICATIONS
CUSTOM CASE // skin diver style - 316L surgical-grade stainless steel
MOVEMENT // NH35 for date version | NH38 for non-date version
CRYSTAL // Double-dome sapphire crystal with AR coating
WATER RESISTANCE // 300m. / 999 ft. / 30 atm
HELIUM ESCAPE VALVE // Integraded in the case
DIMENSIONS // 40mm case width | 41mm bezel width | 14mm thickness | 48mm lug-to-lug | 20mm lug width
CUSTOM BRACELET // Custom beads of rice bracelet | 20mm tapering down to 18mm at the clasp | solid end-links | screw in pins
BEZEL // 41 mm | custom markers lumed with BGW-9 Swiss Super-Luminova®
LUMINESENCE // C3 Luminova on hands and indices / BGW-9 Swiss Super-Luminova® on bezel
CROWN // Signed | screw down crown

f7781b14e91d3606db4f1aaebd568e5e_original.jpeg

ed77d8915bc9a41a0a34cccba4496f75_original.jpeg
the bunch
483f4bc320c04b97fa3390f1e9adcd8a_original.JPG

We started out...
with a blank sheet of paper, just sketching and revising. We took inspiration from a few diver watches from the 60's and 70's without getting lost in acts of repetition and maintaining our own design ques which are a part of our developing DNA.
From the start is was clear we wanted to design a diver's watch with a skindiver style case that's reminicent of the old days but with a more wearable shape.
One thing we definetely wanted to include was the skull which is to be found on several different places on the watch. A design feature that sets it a part and reminding us that nothing is forever so seize the moment!
fdb29e196d1aa3627c89079c6e0ffa6e_original.JPG

85c69c75eea7a8085a39b05ba260f7f2_original.JPG

52248bdbf56a859fc3a6f347994cb9a7_original.jpg

415d4104456970c3596fccde10de31ba_original.JPG

MARKERS // We chose to do a clean, easy to read dial. For the markers we wanted something that sets us a part from the rest and easily reckognizable as a Rhodus. Therefore we decided to do applied inverted triangle markers at the 12 - 3 - 6 - 9 position accompanied by circulair hour markers. All lumed by C3 Luminova making sure you can easily read the time at night.

HANDS // The hour hand corresponds with the shape of the triangulair hour markers where as the minute marker is a straight forward shaped hand. The seconds hand received a dash of orange which sets it nicely a part from the rest of the dial. Also these are applied with C3 Luminova.
LOGO & WRITING // Just the plain, contemporary Rhodus logo with on the lower part an applied stainless steel skull. Below it the depth rating in Atmos and the Skull Diver name

COLORS // there are 5 colorways which we named after illusive creatures of the seas. You can find the color ways and name below.
DATE // there's a date and no-date option for the Skull Diver depending on the movement

3becce3859029f877ceaad2c7bd49772_original.jpg

Dial close-up
7cd146dcab68f695c25c7f12e3a7b6da_original.jpg
teal
Lumed dial
d7c467b4e5d518b3e616add0416b0a79_original.jpg
A mix of C3 and BGW-9® lume on hands, dial and bezel
b97311f9aba6616b164b7894c0e0cfab_original.JPG

BEZEL // Is made of stainless steel and has a nice coin edged grip. The top is polished and it rotates clock counterwise. 120-clicks ensure precise means of timing. Wether it's for a dive or a steak.

BEZEL INSERT // An unique design with dashed and dots. Made of ceramic which is lumed by BGW-9® Swiss-luminesence for great readability in dark places.

c7468fdce09350fa667ae493b8eb2382_original.jpeg

94333ba9c7b97b2b7224cb63909443c6_original.JPG

CASE // made of 316L surgical-grade stainless steel in a skin diver shape. We made sure to have downward angling lugs so the case hugs your wrist improving comfort while wearing the watch. The top is finished with a rotated brush while the lugs have a polished finish which matches the inner part of the bracelet. It's about 14 mm. and is provided with a helium espace valve at the side of the case.

BRACELET // a Beads of Rice bracelet! This is one of the key features we absolutely wanted to incorporate in the watch. The vintage design makes for a great style while on the other hand the small bracelet shackles making it wear very comfortable. For the size it starts at 20mm. running down to 16 mm. in the middle and running back up to 19 mm. near the clasp resulting in a great fit!

CROWN // we couldn't go without adding a little skull, on the production version it will be lasered into the crown which has a grip that matches the bezel.
CASEBACK // moulded skull diver with specs

9bac3aeac13292e77122269c1fcc64c9_original.jpg
Case side and crown
f331e46f51ace62603720040eb93a942_original.jpg
caseback
89c0a73051b2c31494c2a70390a57e72_original.JPG

We decided to join forces and have Harry's watch accessoires take care of a fantastic travel pouch which is handmade in the UK. Only the best materials were used and every single pouch is stitched and marked by hand. Talking about honest craftsmanship and passion, just the way we love it!

a609f3f5142a982c2abec55855dbcfa9_original.JPG

e8de351bc1f37ef0ef8d71a0e1d87d95_original.JPG

8c154c700298ac0586e5c4415ae80622_original.JPG

19f64b6dfdb5d91e12b14fade718b5ed_original.JPG

43dbb81343684fb1e2a46c5fed56371b_original.JPG

a8eb3b67e895572ceb6783549a5f77a4_original.jpg

476027a8ce6adfd76eed2ddbb2add506_original.jpg

9a09bf215172e2411e6345f9b87211e2_original.jpg

d82b13ee0f56508f60e53bf255db5855_original.JPG

3e8ed09b2cc1227b5d4a934b6f9257bb_original.JPG

Like mentioned before we wanted to make an offer you can't refuse consisting of a fantastic deal.
PLEDGE OPTIONS
b3280a698044386b57d980c046bdb7ad_original.JPG

- 1x Rhodus Skull diver watch // extra nylon strap // handmade leather travel pouch
$ 279,- or € 239,-
6238edd35cb602b8b4bfcc78e59d04a2_original.JPG

- 1x Rhodus Skull diver watch // extra nylon strap // handmade leather travel pouch
$ 319,- or € 269,-
990319fe57d26baf7059a74ecf0d6439_original.JPG

- 1x Rhodus Skull diver watch // extra nylon strap // handmade leather travel pouch
$ 349,- or € 299,
f2ea3a5ff3950e71ca47aa80b61f914c_original.JPG

- 2x Rhodus Skull diver watch // 2 extra nylons straps // 2 handmade leather travel pouches
cc468e84f6f1ba8c02bfedf1647e4c85_original.JPG

- 3x Rhodus Skull diver watch // 3 extra nylons straps // 3 handmade leather travel pouches
3d18cf9fad055a675059b481e94f4340_original.JPG

Of course we had our watch reviewed by different media outlets. Written blogs and YouTube channels. Please find some of the content below plus a link to the respective websites!

Zaltek Reviews - I’m not complaining about my job, as watches like this Rhodus Skull Diver actually restore my faith in what watch brands can produce when they put their mind to it. This is why I DO love this job, as every so often a watch comes along for review and SKADOOSH!! I love it! A very nice, unique, well built dive watch that just screams value for money.

The Time Bum - So what will this smart, stylish, 300m diver run you? Just $279 if you get on board with the Early Bird backers. Seriously, $279 is insanely cheap for this watch. Hell, the travel sleeve alone would run you almost $50. Rhodus is making this an impossible deal to pass up. This is one Kickstarter you will not want to miss!

WatchReport - The Skull Diver prototype looks and feels great, and for those that thought I forgot the lume, check the photo below. If you are a lume junkie, this one should keep you smiling. All things considered—design, size, functionality, and price, Rhodus is definitely on track to producing a very nice dive watch well under the $500 price point.

Risks and challenges​

- First and foremost the watch project needs to be funded - Covid might have influence on delivery time, this is something we cannot foresee unfortunately - There will be a few minor improvements on the watch compared to the prototypes, we will have to receive and test these improvements during the production process. This could cause some delay.
Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

Environmental commitments​

Visit our Environmental Resources Center to learn how Kickstarter encourages sustainable practices.

Long-lasting design​

We only used premium materials. These are made to last and not broken easily. The movements we chose to use are easily repaired or replaced.
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
Report this project to Kickstarter
David Estié

David Estié
First created · 14 backed
33 - Dutch entrepreneur - crazy about: watches, cars, Formula 1, craftbeer, outdoors, working-out, Shaolin kempoSee more

Support​

  1. Pledge without a reward​


    ABOUT $12

    Back it because you believe in it.​

    Support the project for no reward, just because it speaks to you.

  2. Select this reward

    Pledge €1 or moreABOUT $2​

    Boating buddy​

    Love our project but don't feel like diving into the deep? Rhodus Watches kindly thanks you for your support!
    ESTIMATED DELIVERYMay 2021
    0 backers

  3. Select this reward

    Pledge €239 or moreABOUT US$ 285​

    Dive at dawn: Rhodus Skull Diver​

    Early bird:
    - One Rhodus Skull Diver watch
    - Leather watch sleeve handmade in UK by Harry’s Watch Accessoires
    - One extra nylon strap
    ESTIMATED DELIVERY May 2021
    SHIPS TO Anywhere in the world
    31 backers
    Limited (9 left of 40)

  4. Select this reward

    Pledge €269 or moreABOUT $321​

    Dive at noon: Rhodus Skull Diver​

    Semi-early bird:
    - One Rhodus Skull Diver watch
    - Leather watch sleeve handmade in UK by Harry’s Watch Accessoires
    - One extra nylon strap
    ESTIMATED DELIVERYMay 2021
    SHIPS TOAnywhere in the world
    0 backers
    Limited (50 left of 50)

  5. Select this reward

    Pledge €469 or moreABOUT US$ 560​

    Duo dive: 2x Rhodus Skull Diver​

    Duo:
    - Two Rhodus Skull Diver watches
    - Two leather watch sleeves handmade in UK by Harry’s Watch Accessoires
    - Two extra nylon strap
    ESTIMATED DELIVERYMay 2021
    SHIPS TOAnywhere in the world
    1 backer

  6. Select this reward

    Pledge €699 or moreABOUT $834​

    Group dive: 3x Rhodus Skull Diver​

    Group drive
    - Three Rhodus Skull Diver watches
    - Three leather watch sleeves handmade in UK by Harry’s Watch Accessoires
    - Three extra nylon straps
    ESTIMATED DELIVERYMay 2021
    SHIPS TOAnywhere in the world
    0 backers








 
Great price point but for me just another cookie cutter diver. I guess that could be said about my wacky chunky pieces too
 
Back
Top Bottom