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- Jul 15, 2014
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I think the entire "Strider" story is quite interesting. There are many opinions on the wisdom regarding development of the brand and its initial offering, and many regarding its brief lifespan. I'm sure we'll gather even more here - if anybody cares.
My intent is to share results of my research of the Strider LTD, its flash-in-the-pan launch and demise, and my personal thoughts as well. In the process, I will provide what I hope is an unbiased review of the "Hyperdive".
I had a keen interest in the Hyperdive from the moment it was announced. At the time I was a lover of micro-brand divers (I still am) and was very intrigued with learning what the watch company's founder would come up with.
What? A watch designed by Jim Skelton and built in collaboration by Wing Liang? Now I'm not a big fan of the watch's designer. But I am a huge fan of the Wing-man. At first blush, the association made about as much sense to me as a Yugo 45 being built by Bentley Motors.
But then I reminded myself that JS, being "not a dummy", would likely know what features serious collectors would be looking for. And Wing would surely not associate himself with producing a piece of junk. So I closely monitored the brands development.
I will document the watch, its design and features, both with pics, and comments further down the line. But first, here's an excerpt from Jim Skelton's September, 2013 Facebook announcement regarding his company, Strider Watch LTD, and the launch of his first offering, the "Hyperdive" dive watch (comments in MAROON were added by me and are either opinion, or refer to the production watch as delivered):
**Official Announcement** I am pleased to now be able to offer more information regarding the launch of my
new brand of watches. STRIDER WATCHLTD (yes, named after my son) will be releasing the first model, called the Hyperdive very soon. I have one of the 3 prototypes in my hands right now, and will be releasing some sneak peek images shortly. Hand built in the USA (hand assembled)
Miyota 9015 automatic movement, will be adjusted in-house to run within 5 spd
Numbered Limited Edition of 500 total watches
3 variations (silvertone/black, silvertone/grey, black/black/black PVD)
*The TOTAL across all 3 variations will be 500 pieces, not 500 pieces per variation*
Extreme amounts of Superluminova in unique applications
Textured sandwich style dial (asphalt/antique texture)
500 Meterswater resistant & tested
Sapphire crystal
Numbered Limited Edition of 500 total watches
3 variations (silvertone/black, silvertone/grey, black/black/black PVD)
*The TOTAL across all 3 variations will be 500 pieces, not 500 pieces per variation*
Extreme amounts of Superluminova in unique applications
Textured sandwich style dial (asphalt/antique texture)
500 Meterswater resistant & tested
Sapphire crystal
Multi-link 5 row bracelet - 24mm (ratcheting scissors pushbutton deployant clasp)
Leather strap (thick) (4mm)
Leather strap (thick) (4mm)
NATO strap
2 tools: One for bracelet link adjustment, one for interchangeable lugs (+ 3rd - push pin for spring bars)
2 case backs - sapphire exhibition & solid SSPrice will be $550 USD, with $50 OFF for all those who pre-order (pre-order expected to launch in December), so early adopters will get it for $500.
I have wanted to do this for a number of years, and now I am finally able to release my own line of watches, that are 100% my designs from the ground up. I am overjoyed to be fortunate enough to have partnered with my dear friend Wing Liang for my production. With Wing's incredible talent, and technical mind, we have been able to quickly overcome several hurdles that my design has thrown at me. Sometimes what you dream up in your mind may make it to paper and CAD, but won't always translate to a workable design in the real world. Wing is able to catch these things before it causes lost time going back and forth with the factory.
With the exclusions and limitations set forth by ETA, I chose to use the Miyota 9015 automatic movement. The 9015 was designed to compete with the ETA 2892A2 (which is a model higher up in quality and price than the ETA 2824-2) and has proven itself to be a fantastic quality movement with finesse and great accuracy. This also prevents us from running into supply issues down the road for parts, or whole movements.
The first model, the Hyperdive is a no-frills tooldiver. It does exactly what you want a diver to do, and look good doing it. Free of unnecessary do-dads or design elements that clutter up many divers today, it is clear and easy to read at a glance, creates a sleek look on the wrist, and is perfectly legible in low light and zero light conditions. The 5 row, multi-link bracelet will come with a sliding adjustable clasp for a wetsuit
extension, that can also be easily slid in and out while on the wrist to provide adjustments for comfort during daily wear. No need to take the watchoff to make this adjustment. This system has been employed by a number of quality dive watchespreviously, with great success.I have wanted to do this for a number of years, and now I am finally able to release my own line of watches, that are 100% my designs from the ground up. I am overjoyed to be fortunate enough to have partnered with my dear friend Wing Liang for my production. With Wing's incredible talent, and technical mind, we have been able to quickly overcome several hurdles that my design has thrown at me. Sometimes what you dream up in your mind may make it to paper and CAD, but won't always translate to a workable design in the real world. Wing is able to catch these things before it causes lost time going back and forth with the factory.
With the exclusions and limitations set forth by ETA, I chose to use the Miyota 9015 automatic movement. The 9015 was designed to compete with the ETA 2892A2 (which is a model higher up in quality and price than the ETA 2824-2) and has proven itself to be a fantastic quality movement with finesse and great accuracy. This also prevents us from running into supply issues down the road for parts, or whole movements.
The first model, the Hyperdive is a no-frills tooldiver. It does exactly what you want a diver to do, and look good doing it. Free of unnecessary do-dads or design elements that clutter up many divers today, it is clear and easy to read at a glance, creates a sleek look on the wrist, and is perfectly legible in low light and zero light conditions. The 5 row, multi-link bracelet will come with a sliding adjustable clasp for a wetsuit
I chose a full brushed finish with no polishing so that as a daily wearer watch, you can feel free to bang it up, scratch it up and wear it without feeling like you have to baby it. When the scratches get to be too much, you can simply run a green Scotchbrite pad over the surfaces and bring it back to a factory newlook in SECONDS. No second tone of finish to get in the way of doing this at home yourself. *NOTE, this obviously excludes the all black PVD model which obviously cannot be brushed out due to the finish over the steel.
A simple interchangeable system utilizing hex-headed screws (one sided, no extra
partsto worry about losing) that thread directly into the caselugs allows for fast changeout from the bracelet to the 2 provided straps in the kit, all while adding rock solid securityand a solid feel as you'd expect from any solid end link bracelet
.
This is a straight forward, daily wear diver that should fit well into anyone's lifestyle. My goal was to make it more of a "medium size" by today's standards, so that it can be easily worn, but still project a large look on the wrist. It is stout though, believe that. Very substantial and weighty feel, without being cumbersome as is so prominent these days in the dive watchsegment. Priority was placed on comfort.
More details to come soon. (The watch finally shipped in late Spring of 2015.)
A simple interchangeable system utilizing hex-headed screws (one sided, no extra
partsto worry about losing) that thread directly into the caselugs allows for fast changeout from the bracelet to the 2 provided straps in the kit, all while adding rock solid securityand a solid feel as you'd expect from any solid end link bracelet
.
This is a straight forward, daily wear diver that should fit well into anyone's lifestyle. My goal was to make it more of a "medium size" by today's standards, so that it can be easily worn, but still project a large look on the wrist. It is stout though, believe that. Very substantial and weighty feel, without being cumbersome as is so prominent these days in the dive watchsegment. Priority was placed on comfort.
More details to come soon. (The watch finally shipped in late Spring of 2015.)
Part of this Skelton declaration came to fruition, part never saw the light of day, and part of it was pure sales BS. At the end of this post you can decide which is which (if you care, or haven't already done so).
Now, my review - images with comments, details, and opinions:
This, friends, is a true presentation watch box...
And here's what's inside: The watch on bracelet, solid SS case back, 3 bracelet/strap-changing tools, 2 top-quality 24mm straps...
The tools: Hex-driver for lug screws, screwdriver for bracelet links, pin-pusher for lug spring bars...
Strider bonus straps (included with purchase) are top-grade, finely made and both feature custom and signed SS buckles, and heavy SS fittings on the NATO...
The solid steel case back is engraved with the LE numbers...
Everything about the Hyperdive watch head is proprietary. The asphalt-textured sandwich dial, hour markers, hands, bezel and cushion case are all unique to the watch...
The 9mm screw-down crown is cut away and deeply grooved. It is also somehow compatible with the sweeping semi-sawtooth bezel edge...
Here we can see the sapphire crystal's beveled edge, and the bracelet's tight fit with the case...
Here, another view of the massive crown. The lug hex screws are one piece - the threaded ends attach directly to the opposing lugs...
Whether off-the-shelf, or not, the bracelet is a work of art in itself. For starters, the heavy, true 5-linker, has a very smooth action - even with its near-rectangular links. Link screws are also of the convenient one-piece type...
The scissor-clasp is a single deployant push-button design with a ratchet mechanism. This permits adjusting the sized bracelet for wearing over a wetsuit, or allows minor daily adjustment without removing the watch...
The solid end-link is constructed to fit precisely into notches in the head for sure and quick alignment...
An exhibition back simply displays the Miyota 9015 without superfluous overprint. Pertinent data is engraved on the stainless surround. The bottom of the case and lugs is properly curved for comfort...
I don't recall ever seeing a more unusual use of SuperLuminova. Curiously, there is no lume on the second hand...
On the wrist, this beast of a watch is quite comfortable. It is well-balanced and the ratcheting feature allows for micro-adjustment as needed...
The piece is a full 52mm lug-to-lug and 16mm tall. But as you can see, it does not overpower my 7 1/2" wrist...
About this specific watch:
I acquired this timepiece through another WiT Forum transaction with bigz (Mark). I've bragged on Mark a lot lately, and have run out of positive things to say about him. Well, I don't think I've yet used the words "Magnificent Seller!".
This piece is number 5 of 75 in the grey dial execution. It shows no signs of wear, and I can guarantee that the straps have never been used. If the removed bracelet links were re-installed, it would fit a 10" wrist.
There is a small chunk of lume missing from one of the bezel dots near "11". This fact was fully disclosed and declared by Mark in his listing.
Opinion:
Hyperdive - This watch is surely not for everyone. It has a unique overall look that I'm sure some find less than appealing. While the fit is outstanding, there is something definitely less than refined about the finish. I's a rugged tool watch for sure and not likely to be worn with a coat and tie. For the most part, I happen to like the look and feel.
When it comes to features, this piece has everything tool collectors claim to desire... Sapphire, easily adjustable bracelet, 500M water resistance, powerful luminescence, easy readability, etc., etc., etc. Then, and now, bang for the buck was exceptional.
I really like the piece. And it will get more than its share of wrist time - at least for a while. My sincere thanks to Mark for making the deal possible.
Strider Watch LTD - So what happened? Obviously, I don't know. But I do have a few ideas.
*First, It's possible that the watch just didn't appeal to a wide enough audience. It's quirky look, which could have been an advantage in a sea of look-alike divers may have been just the opposite. There's gotta be a reason why all of those micro-divers look like Rolex, Omega, and Panerai. And it's probably because they sell. Jim did announce a future model, but it never materialized.
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*Second, the Hyperdive was almost 2 years from pre-order status to shipping. That's a long time for collectors to maintain interest in a brand, and enough time for a dozen or so other brands to launch. Plus Jim's ShopNBC heyday was now three years old. A sizeable part of his fan base had certainly evaporated
*Next, it is very possible that the project lost money. I doubt that Skelton and Wing had confrontation, but 500 pieces at $500. does not generate a lot of revenue for engineering development and assembly of a feature-packed timepiece and leave a ton of profit at the same time. I'm guessing Jimbo was underfunded, leaving little or nothing for future models. The "Strider Watch LTD" website is now for sale on GoDaddy.
So there you have it, friends. That's my novel on the Strider Hyperdive. Thanks for taking the time out of your life to read it.
And as Always... Thanks for lookin', WiTs!!!