Way back in 2012 (or was it 2011?) I exchanged a few emails with Leo Padron about starting his own watch company. At the time, he was restoring vintage watches and had the urge to start his own brand. He’d found my “Design and make your own watch” page and I wrote a blog post about him as well (lost due to Confluence’s shitty export code).
This month, he emailed me with an interesting update. He’s at Drop now and designed a field watch, the Felix.
The Felix is here on Drop; the image gallery above is from their site. Specs, also from their site:
- Case Size: 39.5mm x 11mm (42mm lug to lug)
- Water Resist: 100 Meters (10 ATM)
- Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel with bead blasted finish
- Crown: Screw-down crown located at 16H.
- Crystal: Double Dome Sapphire Crystal with Antireflective coating Movement: Sellita SW-200 Automatic Movement 26 Jewels 28,800 BPH 39 Hour Power Reserve Hack lever Made in Switzerland
- Band: 20mm brown leather band (with add-on canvas band)
- Warranty: 2 Year International Warranty
- MSRP: $349 ($299 preorder)
That’s a decent MSRP, and very good to excellent IMHO at the $300 preorder price. I quite like the rounded shape for comfort, and at 39mm this should wear like a dream. It’s got enough design in it to not be boring or me-too as well. Good lume, well sized hands, and a delightful ring of color on the offset crown too.
On the minus side, I’ve never been a fan of the 13 to 24 numbering on a dial, though that’s a pretty small complaint.
Nice work Leo!
ultracrepidarian 