@BRSEvolve: Bespoke watches & EDC!
You know what is absolutely frickin’ amazing about WatchCrunch? Every time you think you’ve seen it all, there’s yet another new, amazing thing! It’s like the circus! Lions and tigers and bears - oh my!
Bespoke watches
Do you have any idea how much bespoke things cost? A helluva lot! Check this out:
- Bespoke suit - When I google the term, the first item says the following:
It's typical for an entry-level bespoke garment to start at over $2000, whereas you can theoretically spend over $10,000 if you get a handmade three-piece suit made from a high-end, specialty fabric. On average, bespoke suits cost between $3000-$5000
- Bespoke car - When I google that term, this is the top hit: https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en_US/bespoke/discover.html
Given that they customize Rolls-Royces, I’m gonna guess this is one of those “if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it” kinda things. Okay, but let’s forget that. Nobody wants a Rolls-Royce anyway. How about something simple, like an Alfa? This one? This one will cost ya 325,000 GBP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BuZmJmpTdk
- Bespoke watches - This is where we hit the jackpot! @BRSEvolve will build you one for a genuinely criminally low price. So, I asked Ed to build me the watch below:
And, before you make an erudite, but ultimately snarky comment, @Aurelian, yes this Seiko mod has a 24 hour steel bezel… and yet is a simple 3-hander! So, yes, you are correct in that the 24-hour bezel has absolutely no purpose whatsoever other than looks! And I love it! I mean, I got a bunch of GMT watches, and F&^% me if I can figure out how to read a second, let alone a third, time zone! Tool watches??? Whatever. That’s what my iPhone is for. My watches? I just want them to look cool.
And that Seiko champagne sunburst dial… man, Seiko really know how to make gorgeous champagne dials!
EDC
But, that’s not all! @BRSEvolve also does EDC! Am I an “everyday carry” kinda guy? Absolutely not! My typical EDC:
- iPhone - So I can read Marvel Unlimited while pretending to be answering important work emails
- iPods - I pop them in my ears in noise canceling mode whenever my kids try to talk to me, and it’s “serenity now”
- Wallet, watch, ankylosaurus - Goes without saying, these 3 items are critical elements in a versatile everyday carry
- Chapstick - Have you ever been out in the cold, dark, uncaring world, and had chapped lips? I can think of no greater suffering. Don’t ever let it happen to you
- Inhaler - I’m fat and asthmatic, so sue me
Here are other people’s EDC:
[I mean, WTF? Bro, you preparing for the zombie apocalypse???]
Came across this article by Worn & Wound on EDC, and here’s what they have to say about “reasons to carry a pocket knife”
https://windupwatchshop.com/blogs/chronicle/everyday-carry-101-a-primer-on-knives-pt-1
- Opening packages
- Food prep
- Recreation… like, you know, camping and hiking and fishing
Hmmm… seems there’s potentially one category that’s been left out. There’s a giant elephant in the room that polite media articles on EDC seem to leave out!
So, I have had to make a concession to reality on this unfortunate “elephant in the room," and it is the reason I now carry a pocket knife along with my ankylosaurus: My wife recently went birding with a bunch of fellow birders, and this random dude came out of the woods and joined their group as they walked along the creek bed, listening for the rare Bewick’s Wren. Dude kept walking and standing a little too close to my wife. They get to the parking lot, my wife gets in the car, and the dude tries to jump into the passenger seat with her! Door's locked, so he then jumps up onto the hood of the car! As he’s pounding on the windshield, he politely asks if she would like to accompany him to an evening of fine dining and scintillating conversation at this wonderful French restaurant, called Bleu Boheme, which she politely declines. The other birders call the police, and he's led away in handcuffs.
Anyway, wife and kids and I are now all signed up for Krav Maga… and so the knives!
All these knives can be purchased at @BRSEvolve’s website: https://www.bladerunnerssystems.com/collections/folding-knives
- The one on the left is the Nomad. Great folding knife. Good for… recreation… like, you know, fishing
- The middle one is the Overwatch. It’s got this crazy “flipper tab” that, well, here’s the description: "OverWatch deploys by means of a flipper tab optimally positioned for reliable opening.” You flick it, and it opens up instantaneously for… emergency food prep situations, like, “Man, that Honeycrisp looks go good, I gotta get this pocket knife open within 10 milliseconds to really enjoy that apple!"
- The one on the right is the Ness by Revo Knives. It’s also got that flipper tab… again great for fast deployment in critical situations when you gotta open that package to get into the Pepperidge Farm Verona cookies you ordered via Amazon Prime Now!
What do I know about knives and EDC? Absolutely NOTHING. Me writing up a review of pocket knives would be like my 6 year-old doing a review on cars: “It’s yellow and if you press the right buttons, songs like, ‘I’ve Got Peace Like a River’ will play on the way to gymnastics class!” Regardless, the Overwatch is my favorite. It’s small enough to be unobtrusive, while also feeling very solid and well-built.
The absolute star of the show? Totally unexpected. Could not have predicted this in a million years:
100 lumens of output in such a tiny, tiny form factor! Every night, I take the puppies out to poop at 10pm. We got coyotes in the area, so I gotta make sure there aren’t any hanging around in our yard, ready to snack on our 8 lb. pups before I let the doggies out into the yard. I been carrying this ancient 50 lb. Maglite out with me, like some sort of idiot. This tiny light produces more output than that 50 lb. Maglite! You have any idea how hard it is to try to open up one of them Earth Rated poop bags, stoop down to pick up the poop and not get any on your hands, while cradling a 50 lb. Maglite between your ear and shoulder so that you got your hands free? It’s like being in Cirque du Soleil! It’s a cinch with this tiny light.
So, if you need bespoke watches or pocket knives for food prep or other EDC gear, go check out https://www.bladerunnerssystems.com/
Unfortunately, the one critical EDC item I did not see for sale is glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs.
And, so, there you have it. I think bespoke watches are gonna be my thing moving forward. And recreational gear. @BRSEvolve has got everything you need on both fronts.
The Artist formerly known as @HotWatchChick69 and formerly-formerly @Omeganut
More from Mr.Dee.Bater
My EDC knifes are so small or non-locking blades, so they can hardly be called weapons 🤣 Still they are considered weapons under the law here 🙄
I don’t normally wear a pocket knife. But there where one period when I had ordered 3 vintage watches same week. Then I had a Swiss armé knife in my jacket so I could do the unboxing in the car outside the pick up facility. After the disposal of all the litter I could bring the watch home. I’m not proud.
Chapstick… “no greater suffering” Lol. Sounds like my wife.
You need a pen. May I recommend the Pilot Petit1?
Anyway, I must pedantically mention the difference between bespoke and made-to-order (MTO).
Made to order is what you get at Burger King. You are choosing off a checklist of options available to anyone. It is custom, but not full custom. If you ask for Grey Poupon or grass-fed beef, it won't happen. If there is merely some pull down menu on dial colors and band options, even case engraving, that's MTO.
Bespoke is being built to your specifications, not just your pre-approved selections. Your options are much wider. A dialog is typically needed.
So for the car world, merely checking that you want the green leather seats and the burl wood trim is probably MTO. Insisting that the paint match (insert something crazy here) and that the arm rest be two inches higher and upholstered in an exotic non-stock hide is bespoke. Basically, if you can't order off-menu, it's MTO and not bespoke.
There was some instance here where a maker redesigned a watch case because the customer wanted different style lugs. That's clearly bespoke. I'm railing against general marketing misuse of terminology, not anyone here.
As a former Spyderco collector and pocket knife appreciator (though not a self defense expert), I still maintain a robust rotation of EDC knives. I also can’t leave home without a decent flashlight.
Today’s EDC:
Where I live carrying a knife is problematic. No knifes that can be used for fighting are allowed, but there is no clear definition of what that is. The laws concerning the carrying of firearms are crystal clear in comparison.
does that mean bespoke is a nice custom made items? sick knife collection dude. i bring my knife at my car, one time i used it to skinning a goat skin to preserve the skull for decoration purpose.
(correction: what you mean is an earpods, not an ipod) 😃
I’ve really got into EDC and went a bit far with my knife collection
As I said about my watch collection recently I’m done for now with purchasing pocket knives especially as I can’t carry them in town 🤷♂️. I’m with you completely with the flashlight I’ve got a number of pocket versions of them.
And I consider all my edc stuff the same way some people seem to treat large watch collections. I use some of it, some of it has an interesting story behind it and the rest I just like playing around with/modifying.
My EDC knifes are so small or non-locking blades, so they can hardly be called weapons 🤣 Still they are considered weapons under the law here 🙄
Ah, but you live in Norway, right? Don't you need knives at the ready, just in case a reindeer should attack you as you're shopping downtown?
'tis a slippery slope you're on. You'll be watching Nick Shabazz videos under the covers at night if you're not careful.
I don't carry a knife but I do carry a now ancient Leatherman Wave. It's got two knives but, more importantly, it has a teeny-tiny saw. If ever I'm out and about and need to fell a bonsai tree... I am prepared. That sort of thing can catch a person out... but not me!
Also, if you want a proper torch, I recommend the 700 lumen Nitecore TIP SE (I bought one for my son recently) or, what I have; the 650 lumen RovyVon A1. Both are under £30
...and if you're not familiar with Nick Shabazz, check him out on YT. It's a beautiful thing.
Nah, she was never in any real danger. There were like 10 other birders there with her. And the guy clearly simply had some mental issues, rather than being truly malevolent. She came home and was actually more angry than scared.
I immediately signed up our family, including the 6 and 8 year-olds for Krav Maga.
Instructor: Oh, and what's your reason for signing up?
Me: I want my wife and kids to learn to... what's the word I'm looking for... F&^%ing K1LL any would-be attackers within 10 seconds of engagement
Instructor: Well, we teach self-defense techniques, and for kids we tend to shy away from terms like "F&^%ing K1LL," but through different exercises they'll begin to learn the basics in a fun way, so that eventually it'll all become muscle memory
Me: Okay... but, you'll still teach them how to F&^%ing K1LL any would-be attackers, right?
Instructor: Oh, yeah, of course
...and if you want bespoke watches... I recommend a Gasworks 🤣
glad you're enjoying everything, thanks for the shout out!
best-
You need a pen. May I recommend the Pilot Petit1?
Anyway, I must pedantically mention the difference between bespoke and made-to-order (MTO).
Made to order is what you get at Burger King. You are choosing off a checklist of options available to anyone. It is custom, but not full custom. If you ask for Grey Poupon or grass-fed beef, it won't happen. If there is merely some pull down menu on dial colors and band options, even case engraving, that's MTO.
Bespoke is being built to your specifications, not just your pre-approved selections. Your options are much wider. A dialog is typically needed.
So for the car world, merely checking that you want the green leather seats and the burl wood trim is probably MTO. Insisting that the paint match (insert something crazy here) and that the arm rest be two inches higher and upholstered in an exotic non-stock hide is bespoke. Basically, if you can't order off-menu, it's MTO and not bespoke.
There was some instance here where a maker redesigned a watch case because the customer wanted different style lugs. That's clearly bespoke. I'm railing against general marketing misuse of terminology, not anyone here.
Ah, you are right! Apologies. I am the one who got the terminology wrong.
Yes, it is MTO, and not bespoke.
You know what's amazing, then? I don't want bespoke stuff. I mean, bespoke is just crazy. Like, why would I want a car with an arm rest two inches higher??? It would cost insane amounts of money to do something with such little utility! Meanwhile, Porsche, for example, have such flexible manufacturing that, for all intents and purposes, the MTO offerings are so varied that in any given year, they'll only ever have two 911's come off the assembly line with the same configurations - nearly every single one of their sports cars is unique!
very seldom am I without a watch and a knife. My grandpa always told me to carry at least a pen knife, its very handy in a myriad of occasion. I love automatic watches. I have certainly worked to incorporate them into our E-volve line up for BRS. I think all these projects are one over arching project, and a bit of a homage to things I have been interested in throughout my entire life.
I usually always have a balisong on me as well. I still flip a lot, even though the guys flipping today are simply amazing, I was considered good for sure, and some of the tricks and combos flippers are doing today came from me and my group of friends. Its not hard to find videos on insta or other places of me or others flipping balisongs, so if thats your thing just have a look.
I like to mod watches for sure, I tend to lean into making tool watches or toolish looking watches. I have made a lot of seiko mods for people, and I like working with them to get them what they want in a mod. I am usually a few builds out but I will do what I can to do a few a month.
I do like handcrafted stuff, when I have the benefit of knowing the artist, and patronizing them I will do it if its something Im interested in. That said I do still have quite a bit of room in my heart for Seiko ;) and even though I can make what I want provided I can snag parts I do tend to still buy and collect from established brands.
I have not nor will I ever post pics or elude to carrying a firearm, thats my own business and not something I was ever really comfortable with sharing. If I were to carry my state is Constitutional Carry, so I don't have to have a license to carry concealed. Not a lot of crime or homicide around here, so perhaps the fact that any resident here can carry as their right gives people pause. We have a phrase up here " im not saying, im just saying "
I do have some nice and extremely high lumen smaller form factor flashlights, I know a lot of people in that industry, as well as firearms and cutlery, and am blessed with some nice gear because of it. Honestly, if you beam someone with a high lumen flashlight that's invading your space you will immediately have a distinct advantage to either create distance or close distance. Lights have a ton of use I definitely if the occasion dictates EDC one, very beneficial at night up in the woods where I live.
EDC is a bit of a ritual, a bit of a collection, a bit of protection, a bit of kit that makes your life easier, and as you can imagine its a huge part of my everyday life and business.
so again thanks for the shout out Omeganut, youre the man dude.
;)
'tis a slippery slope you're on. You'll be watching Nick Shabazz videos under the covers at night if you're not careful.
I don't carry a knife but I do carry a now ancient Leatherman Wave. It's got two knives but, more importantly, it has a teeny-tiny saw. If ever I'm out and about and need to fell a bonsai tree... I am prepared. That sort of thing can catch a person out... but not me!
Also, if you want a proper torch, I recommend the 700 lumen Nitecore TIP SE (I bought one for my son recently) or, what I have; the 650 lumen RovyVon A1. Both are under £30
...and if you're not familiar with Nick Shabazz, check him out on YT. It's a beautiful thing.
I know Nick well, hes a cool ass dude. I have that Rovyvon that thing gets HOT ;) haha
Cool post bro.
My EDC - vintage stainless Tudor Sub, silver Yard-O-Led rollerball, copper (natural anti-bacterial) Maratac torch.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword.
In my life I find it's handy to carry a pen or pencil in my pocket, rather than a knife.
I know Nick well, hes a cool ass dude. I have that Rovyvon that thing gets HOT ;) haha
Nick Shabazz is an absolute star. One of a kind... and I appreciate that very much ;)
'tis a slippery slope you're on. You'll be watching Nick Shabazz videos under the covers at night if you're not careful.
I don't carry a knife but I do carry a now ancient Leatherman Wave. It's got two knives but, more importantly, it has a teeny-tiny saw. If ever I'm out and about and need to fell a bonsai tree... I am prepared. That sort of thing can catch a person out... but not me!
Also, if you want a proper torch, I recommend the 700 lumen Nitecore TIP SE (I bought one for my son recently) or, what I have; the 650 lumen RovyVon A1. Both are under £30
...and if you're not familiar with Nick Shabazz, check him out on YT. It's a beautiful thing.
The TIP SE is in my EDC collection, and it's extremely bright, with good battery life. But one tip (if you'll pardon the pun): if you put it in your pocket, flip the belt clip around so it becomes a button lockout. The TIP SE has a nasty habit of "locking up" if both buttons are pressed simultaneously while in your pocket, and the only solution is to wait 4-7 days for the battery to drain itself (it seems it uses battery while in this locked up mode), and the chip inside will the reset and it'll work again after charging.
In addition to the TIP SE, I always have a Leatherman Wave on my hip (except at the airport or concert venues).
Cool post bro.
My EDC - vintage stainless Tudor Sub, silver Yard-O-Led rollerball, copper (natural anti-bacterial) Maratac torch.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword.
In my life I find it's handy to carry a pen or pencil in my pocket, rather than a knife.
If you get the right pen, it can be just as lethal as a knife. Check some of the "tactical" pens out there (some are actually quite elegant), especially the ones with glass breakers built in. I would not want to get punctured by one of them...
700 lumen??? Dude, I'm trying to pick up dog poop, not incinerate it on the ground!
You're not wrong, it's crazy bright. But, at that level, it burns through the battery quick. Fortunately, it has 3 other brightness modes - 1, 30, and 180 lumens. I keep mine set to 30, unless I'm looking in the chicken coop at night, then I bump it down to 1 so as not to disturb the ladies. 180 is used sometimes, but 700 I rarely go into except to show friends how bright it really can go.
Wore a blue suit at work so that's why the watch is not green. Plus I'm still saving for the green gada watch I want to make it complete.
Nobody will realistically read this far but Canadian me will chime in
this thread is the most non watch thing I’ve ever seen posted here, but it’s quite interesting (and sometimes scary/sad)
Apparently I live in a version of Mayberry and we’re quite lucky. - I can’t really relate to most of the posts here. Our main Vancouver crime is foreign money laundering. So you don’t notice it except that if you live & work here you can’t afford to buy a house. Lots of mystery owners of 10m $ houses that have no declared income
EDC is a fun topic and I love the concept. Like others here, my dad always insisted men should carry a pocket knife (and it should have routine maintenance so it’s always scalpel sharp) But his routine was boats and diving. He needed a knife 100x a day.
For my routine days the only useful EDC is my watch & phone. A knife, pliers, firearm etc are never needed on the bike commute or in the operating room.
Still, mostly owing to their beauty, I’ve a few EDC do dads… but they are only carried with purpose when I go off into the wilderness. And indeed, I once basically saved myself with some wire and multi tool pliers when my kayak rudder broke in the middle of nowhere (Desolation Sound).
Dude, I read it!
You're welcome. I have to say it's pretty good for the money.
My new RovyVon A1 arrived today, and I'm really pleased with it. The light output is quite impressive, and the size makes it ideal for carrying in the pocket, unlike my rather bulky NexTorch. The NexTorch feels more solidly built, and is considerably brighter, but it's size makes it impractical for pocket carry. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention.
My new RovyVon A1 arrived today, and I'm really pleased with it. The light output is quite impressive, and the size makes it ideal for carrying in the pocket, unlike my rather bulky NexTorch. The NexTorch feels more solidly built, and is considerably brighter, but it's size makes it impractical for pocket carry. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention.
I like the fact that you can have it at different brightness levels. For the money it's tidy
Dude, I read it!
Sadly we rarely have junior mints in the OR. But, I wouldn’t say never! 😁
That rudder failure was in a pretty remote spot. I’d have been reduced to muddling slowly with poor directional control about 100km in mostly windy bad seas, or trying to flag some distant passing boat. Both being crap options. Death by mosquito seemed most likely cause of death when stuck on the beach.
(50.3082337, -124.7591785)
Carrying a knife is the worst thing you can carry. Pull out a knife in a fight and it's criminal intent. Better to have a Screwdriver or a multitool. Its a makeshift weapon that shows you had no criminal intent other than defence. Carry a bat in your car get busted for weapon. Carry a glove with it and its all good. A 1 inch stinger on your keychain is enough to cause a lot of damage but won't get you arrested. Now a tiny unrifled 22 subsonic zip gun that breaks down into a pile of bolts is what you really want.
Carrying a knife is the worst thing you can carry. Pull out a knife in a fight and it's criminal intent. Better to have a Screwdriver or a multitool. Its a makeshift weapon that shows you had no criminal intent other than defence. Carry a bat in your car get busted for weapon. Carry a glove with it and its all good. A 1 inch stinger on your keychain is enough to cause a lot of damage but won't get you arrested. Now a tiny unrifled 22 subsonic zip gun that breaks down into a pile of bolts is what you really want.
Wow! Hadn't ever thought it through. Genius. Thank you!