BOLDR And Nitecore Team Up To Release The Kraken!
If you harbor a healthy obsession with watches — especially those from the many microbrands out there — you are likely to be a fan of the EDC concept. EDC, or “every-day carry” are the accessories that are with you day-in, day-out. Whether in your pocket, in your bag, or at your desk, it’s these highly functional items that make your life a little easier. The idea of EDC encompasses not only watches, but also pens, wallets, knives, torches, headphones, sunglasses, hats, and more. It’s no surprise then that a brand, like BOLDR Supply Co., which goes beyond watches and also offers a range of EDC gear in its catalog, should kick off the year with such a perfect pairing in collaboration with Nitecore Singapore: purveyors of some of the best torches and tactical gear out there today.
This collaborative effort has resulted in a pairing of products reflecting what each brand does best. BOLDR brings us The Kraken — a special edition of its Venture field watch model. And Nitecore has created the perfect watch companion, in the form of a dual function torch with a UV feature. Together, they make for a bright couple to keep you well equipped on your day-to-day adventures. BOLDR’s founder, Leon Long, gave us a chance to see the watch before its release so we could experience it in person. Is all that glitters actually gold? Or is it Old-Radium C3 lume markers fully charged by a 1000mW UV torch? I’ll let you guess the answer! There’s a lot to unpack here, so without further ado, let’s take a closer look at The Kraken.
BOLDR × Nitecore — The Kraken
Does it get better than a 38mm black PVD coated titanium field watch, with a lumed 12-hour bezel, sapphire crystal, 200m of water resistance, a unique case shape, and brilliant lume? Not if you’re looking for a perfect low-key adventure watch for everyday wear. It’s lightweight, legible, and perfectly sized for any wrist. On a matching black NATO strap with black PVD hardware, the watch draws you into the dial. A dial whose raised patterns, inspired by topographical maps, offer fantastic depth. Every detail is perfectly color-matched. The Old-Radium C3 lume has a pleasant warm tone, which matches the numerals on the bezel, as well as the outer minute track and the BOLDR logo at 12 o’clock. The same logo is also featured as a counterpoise on the seconds hand.
The other two colors which can be found on the watch are white and orange. White primarily on the minutes and seconds hands as well as surrounding the applied lume on the dial. An orange hour hand brings warmth and color to the dial and is matched by the “×” on the dial above the Nitecore logo at 6 o’clock. Placing the Nitecore text here (in the same beige print as the BOLDR logo) on paper might seem a bit odd. But honestly, I find that it adds balance to the dial. It is subtle enough that it doesn’t feel like the watch is over-branded. The same colors and patterns can be found both laser-etched on the Nitecore torch included with the watch as well as the velcro patch, which along with the case back, features the Kraken on it. It’s plain to see how much thought went into this collaboration.
Final Thoughts
This special limited edition set is one you’ll have to move quickly to get your hands on. Only 100 will be produced! And the watch alone is good enough to ensure they will be flying off the proverbial shelves. Though I would never buy a watch because of the accessories included with it, I think that this specific combination not only makes sense but works together beautifully! And whereas some brand collabs can (at times) feel a little bit forced, BOLDR and Nitecore work in harmony to make what is perhaps one of the most eye-catching LEs we have seen released by a micro brand in recent times. It hasn’t been off my wrist since it came in earlier this week, and I think that speaks for itself.
Now you might be wondering: “how much do I have to shell out to get my own?” Well, the BOLDR × Nitecore Kraken Venture is priced at $449, with a limited pre-order price of $399. A price that gets you a sweet new watch, a fantastic dual-function TIKI torch from Nitecore, and a velcro patch to put on your favorite bag or jacket. I did warn you, these will be gone quick! So head on over to the BOLDR website and check it out. In the meantime, please share your thoughts on this bold BOLDR in the comments below.
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