Ah, Kickstarter. First it changed the movie game, now it's helping shake things up in the world of watches. Currently on the site and closing in fast on its funding goal is Hudson River Watch Co., a newly launched brand that's based in New York (which, considering the name, it kinda has to be) and hoping to provide guys with something the founders feel isn't easy enough to find. Namely, a good watch that doesn't come with a price tag that would look equally at home on a used car. Something to bridge the gap between Timex and Rolex, as it were — though the retail price of around $300 is a lot closer to the former than the latter.
They've got nine models in the lineup, all inspired by NYC, which is to be expected, but also taking cues from things like vintage stopwatches, cigar humidors, and ship telegraph dials. If that sounds like it might veer into gimmicky territory, don't worry: It doesn't. Even though the most out-there of the designs — the Fulton Street, based on the aforementioned ship telegraph dial — is something of an acquired taste, it still doesn't scream "look at me." And the other eight designs? Well, they're even more soft-spoken, though damn stylish. And well-made. All the models, from the polished Front Street to the sporty Milligan Place chrono, feature Swiss ETA Quartz movements, sapphire crystals, and water-resistent stainless steel cases. Check out the full lineup in the shot above, then see the collection in detail at the KS page. Oh, and did we mention you can get a watch for $225 instead of $300 if you fund them during this initial push? Because, yeah. There's that.
