Straton Cuffbuster Sprint
Hi Everyone!
Some of you may know me as the owner of Straton Watch Co. a Microbrand. I have just launched my bonkers CUFFBUSTER Sprint model and I wanted to give some history into the design and why it was originally made.
Back in 1972, the watch brand Desotos had a long range of successful chronograph sports watches. For their next watch, they began to consider the specifics needs of racing drivers and airplane pilots. They knew that they had to have a good way to instantly tell the time, without having to take their hands off the controls to pull up the cuff sitting over their watch dial.
Desotos decides to take a daring design solution: create a chronograph that cannot be covered by the long-sleeved overalls or pilot jacket. This, was the initial birth of a design that would become known as 'the cuffbuster'.
The original had a Valjoux 7734 movement and a case with pushers along the top to facilitate handling. In addition, it had a curious asymmetrical arrangement that allowed it to sit partially on the back of the hand, preventing it from being covered by the user's sleeve, therefore allowing for perfect timekeeping at a glance.
MY TWIST ON A RENOWNED CLASSIC
Inspired by the original Desotos Cuffbuster, and with a love for all things vintage & automotive themed, I knew that the Sprint had to be Straton’s next watch.
Keeping the vintage look and feel of the original design, I added some modern twists, along with adding 6 dial variants, all whilst keeping the price accessible at $349 for the first 500 orders.
Some love it, some loathe it - but I make designs that fascinate me and that I personally love.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"🤮 WTF is that."
— Andy S
"Why???"
— Daniel F
"What a terrible idea"
— Konstantin R
"Nope! Sometimes you just have to leave well enough alone."
— Joseph R
"It’s not my style"
— Stephen B
"Kyle, i'm not sure about this one... how do we market something that people hate?!"
— Straton's Marketing Person
OK, IT'S NOT ALL HATE...
Although it can be amusing to look at some of the negative feedback - I’ve actually been overwhelmed by just as much support for the Sprint. This piece is truly marmite.
It’s designed to be a piece that is fun and completely different to the norm - it makes a statement and is a conversation starter. Will it win awards for the most comfortable watch, no, but it’s certainly wearable to the point where it can enjoyed a few times a month.
The Cuffbuster is now live on the Straton website and for the first 500 orders priced at just $349 - https://www.stratonwc.com/products/straton-cuffbuster-sprint
Hi! I am Kyle, Owner and Designer of Straton Watch Co. as well as Signum Watch Co. Huge fan and collector of Vintage Chronographs and in general unique watches! My websites: www.stratonwc.com www.sign...
I saw that the other day on Insta and then couldn't find it again!
I don't even know what to think 😄 😄
I saw that the other day on Insta and then couldn't find it again!
I don't even know what to think 😄 😄
Haha no worries, it’s marmite, love or hate it :)
What if you wear your watch below the ulna…🤔
Does it retract back to the band… because that would be cool.
They should have made it slide in and out so you can shoot it past your sleeve when you want to read the time and slide it back under your shirt or jacket after 🤔thoughts?
What if you wear your watch below the ulna…🤔
Does it retract back to the band… because that would be cool.
That would be cool if you could push a button and have it pop out from under the cuff!
Love it. Does it come the other way round for us lefties?
They should have made it slide in and out so you can shoot it past your sleeve when you want to read the time and slide it back under your shirt or jacket after 🤔thoughts?
Played around with this idea however the sliding and lock mechanism would have made the watch too thick for my liking and I preferred to stay true to the original quirky design 🙏
Love it. Does it come the other way round for us lefties?
Unfortunately not, I am a leftie myself but for this watch I made the exception :)
Unfortunately not, I am a leftie myself but for this watch I made the exception :)
In that case, I'm out.
Played around with this idea however the sliding and lock mechanism would have made the watch too thick for my liking and I preferred to stay true to the original quirky design 🙏
Ohh snap that’s your watch! Very cool! 😎 yea that makes sense. It would need some kind of deployment which will add to the Watch size for sure. Also add to the cost factor. The color way for the Dials is stellar. I personally am tickled when the date wheel matches the dial color. I also appreciate the small designs you did on the hr and minute hand.
Ohh snap that’s your watch! Very cool! 😎 yea that makes sense. It would need some kind of deployment which will add to the Watch size for sure. Also add to the cost factor. The color way for the Dials is stellar. I personally am tickled when the date wheel matches the dial color. I also appreciate the small designs you did on the hr and minute hand.
Thank you 🙏 appreciate that you notice small detail 🙂
Thank you 🙏 appreciate that you notice small detail 🙂
It the watch modder side of me. I can’t help it.
it looks so dope
Slick design.
Oh this is brilliant - polarising and impractical. How novel.
I’m nearly off the fence…
I'm really torn on this one. I've liked the design ever since I saw it in the back cover of this book (worth the purchase if you're into retro styles), but I have too many chronos!! And it's not one that I can really pass off as "oh this old thing, I've had it for ages"... it's not subtle!
Definitely different. I love different. I was thinking about the lefties. What if the watch could come out of the case and be turned around and then snap back in the case? Just an idea. I hate seeing people miss out on something this awesome.
Cuffbuster is a glorious name
I remember seeing the Desotos Cuffbuster in the Retro Watches book and had the best laugh I had in years!
Kudos for going bold, those pieces will be a great conversation-starter.
They should have made it slide in and out so you can shoot it past your sleeve when you want to read the time and slide it back under your shirt or jacket after 🤔thoughts?
Yes! That would be very James Bond-like. 😎
I for one love this. Definitely a great wildcard piece for any collection. Love what you're doing with Straton and hope to get a Daily Driver someday down the road
I'm really torn on this one. I've liked the design ever since I saw it in the back cover of this book (worth the purchase if you're into retro styles), but I have too many chronos!! And it's not one that I can really pass off as "oh this old thing, I've had it for ages"... it's not subtle!
I have this book and it's a very nice read with plenty of models that I wish I could still buy.
Hmmmm…. I want to like it. Does it restrict wrist mobility?
Unusual, it could be an interesting piece for collectors. It is good to have such an opportunity in the market. Brave move, all the very best!
I love it
Case shape ok , band design, an Edsel sorry 😢
Great design! Love the case and dial. As soon as it's available in a non-cuffbuster version (or even better: the aforementioned slide-in / slide-out version!) I'm in line for the orange one :)
So after a great deal of thought, and doing the hokey-cokey with the basket, I went for it. The very 70s brown was my choice as I have nothing in that colour and it accentuates the period feel. I'm hoping that late December shipping will work in my favour, and the Mrs will show me some Xmas cheer when it arrives. I'm going to leave the Retro Watches book out, rear side up, as a bit of subliminal😉
The Speciale (again in brown) has been on my wishlist for a while, but having the auto option meant I dithered between the two. So this Cuffbuster really was a no brainer for me, even if I only realised that after purchasing! It's got the Straton DNA but is different from anything else I wear - I guess the Moels is the closest. I'm looking forward to wearing this one!
So after a great deal of thought, and doing the hokey-cokey with the basket, I went for it. The very 70s brown was my choice as I have nothing in that colour and it accentuates the period feel. I'm hoping that late December shipping will work in my favour, and the Mrs will show me some Xmas cheer when it arrives. I'm going to leave the Retro Watches book out, rear side up, as a bit of subliminal😉
The Speciale (again in brown) has been on my wishlist for a while, but having the auto option meant I dithered between the two. So this Cuffbuster really was a no brainer for me, even if I only realised that after purchasing! It's got the Straton DNA but is different from anything else I wear - I guess the Moels is the closest. I'm looking forward to wearing this one!
Appreciate the support, shipping might be sooner 🏁🏁
What a ridiculous watch... I want one