Over the weekend, I had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Mr. Fred Bernhardt Amos. Not only did he articulate his philosophy on watch-making, customer-service and the future direction of The Bernhardt Watch Company, but he was wearing number 001 of his Binnacle Anchor, the newest addition to the Bernhardt line.
Mr. Amos' company has had a meteoric rise over the past few years. His story can be written in a classic American tone - A self-made family, taking pride in various types of manufacturing and sales, with a constant dependence on family and trust. His love of watches took advantage of this experience and initially formulated itself as a contract-company with multiple law-enforcement agencies. Unbeknownst to many customers, The Bernhardt Watch Company supplies watches to sheriffs and cops across the country, giving them a purpose-built testing ground. Upon hearing this, I realized that it's that quality and durability that we, the customers, benefit from.
Mr. Amos also gave me a great insight into his customer service and repair/maintence department. It goes without saying that anyone who has ordered or dealt with The Bernhardt Watch Company knows that not only does the company take pride in their product, but in ensuring that the customer is serviced personally and always to the point of satisfaction. His watch-maker and repairer is a third-generation watch-smith from Eastern Europe, with the capabilities to handle any task, but a singular man. It's this personal touch that Mr. Amos values most. He'd rather sell fewer watches than outsource customer service. He'd rather guarantee a customer's satisfaction and worry about the cost later. Those types of hallmarks, wanting to give customers an experience and product that has been lost to a modern, disposable society, are entirely tied in with the watches themselves.
As for those watches, his newest model, the Binnacle Anchor, is ready for action. If you've read the impressions I've written on the prototype, and the subsequent pre-sale information by The Bernhardt Watch Company, you should know that this is a simple "casual-tool" watch, originally inspired by the venerable Rolex Explorer. It comes in two configurations, white/silver numerals on black (with an orange second-hand) and white/orange numerals on white (also with a colorful second-hand). The Explorer homage has been retained, in that most classic and iconic of ways, but Mr. Amos also mentioned the similarities to another iconic and very popular Rolex, the Milgauss. I had never thought about it myself, but the moment he mentioned it, I completely agreed. In person, especially in orange, it comes across as slightly post-modern, a bit sophisticated while never busy. There's also the "fun" of such a stoic style being addressed with white and orange, giving it a "Summer vibe" along with its sportiness. Of course, the orange-accented model also harkens back to the famed "Steve McQueen" Rolex Explorer II. In a lot of ways, this is a perfect combination of three of the most iconic watches ever made, but with a fearless uniqueness that makes it "Bernhardt" - From the signage, to the second-hand, to the unique bracelet/strap configuration. It's an inspired original.
The size is perfect - 40 mm, like the classics that inspired it. Like most of us, I've jumped on the big-watch bandwagon and have gotten used to 42 mm+ watches. The starkness and simplicity of this piece lend itself to a masculinely-large size while never being too big to get in the way. It's a perfect size and I'd challenge anyone to see it bigger, it simply wouldn't be as comfortable. The sapphire crystal feels very robust, just a bit showing above the polished bezel. The signed crown screws down, the case-back also, which has been heavily strengthened. This case-back is easily as hefty as the Globemaster case-back. Very, very sturdy. The watch is powered by one of the more bullet-proof movements, Citizen-Miyota's 8215. Mr. Amos swears by this movement, it's capability to "take a beating" and the ability to replace and service. It's time-tested, reliable and holds the simple spirit of purpose-built tool/sport watches. Most importantly, Mr. Amos has added a very unique touch to the strap/bracelet attachment. We've all likely had watches that used proprietary straps, ranging from Tag Heuer to Citizen to Patek Phillipe. Most watch companies will do this and it becomes the bane of many wearers who like to have options for bracelets and straps. Options are usually limited to the in-house versions and sold at exorbitant mark-ups. Still, there's a design and flush-look that makes proprietary straps a benefit. What Mr. Amos has done is built the curved end-link into the case. Upon removing the bracelet, which is his signature, signed, screwed-in steel links, you are presented with a flat-link, flush with the lugs. Any strap (20 mm) can then be attached, but because of the "link" built-into the case, it sits totally flush, no unsightly gap between the watch and the strap. It's little touches like that, along with the anchor at the end of the second-hand, the multiple signings across the watch, that add so much value and provenance to Bernhardt Watches.
Mr. Amos gave me some hints at what could be next for The Bernhardt Watch Company, ranging from more purpose-built law-enforcement inspiration all the way to a truly high-end, hand-made piece involving precious metals and a very unique function. As Mr. Amos releases more information, you'll see it.
Of course, I'll be doing a full-review on the final, shipped Binnacle Anchor, but for the time-being, attached is a very impromptu camera-phone photo of Mr. Amos' newest creation and The Man Himself. Many apologies for the quality of the images, but something is better than nothing.
Best,
N.
Mr. Amos' company has had a meteoric rise over the past few years. His story can be written in a classic American tone - A self-made family, taking pride in various types of manufacturing and sales, with a constant dependence on family and trust. His love of watches took advantage of this experience and initially formulated itself as a contract-company with multiple law-enforcement agencies. Unbeknownst to many customers, The Bernhardt Watch Company supplies watches to sheriffs and cops across the country, giving them a purpose-built testing ground. Upon hearing this, I realized that it's that quality and durability that we, the customers, benefit from.
Mr. Amos also gave me a great insight into his customer service and repair/maintence department. It goes without saying that anyone who has ordered or dealt with The Bernhardt Watch Company knows that not only does the company take pride in their product, but in ensuring that the customer is serviced personally and always to the point of satisfaction. His watch-maker and repairer is a third-generation watch-smith from Eastern Europe, with the capabilities to handle any task, but a singular man. It's this personal touch that Mr. Amos values most. He'd rather sell fewer watches than outsource customer service. He'd rather guarantee a customer's satisfaction and worry about the cost later. Those types of hallmarks, wanting to give customers an experience and product that has been lost to a modern, disposable society, are entirely tied in with the watches themselves.
As for those watches, his newest model, the Binnacle Anchor, is ready for action. If you've read the impressions I've written on the prototype, and the subsequent pre-sale information by The Bernhardt Watch Company, you should know that this is a simple "casual-tool" watch, originally inspired by the venerable Rolex Explorer. It comes in two configurations, white/silver numerals on black (with an orange second-hand) and white/orange numerals on white (also with a colorful second-hand). The Explorer homage has been retained, in that most classic and iconic of ways, but Mr. Amos also mentioned the similarities to another iconic and very popular Rolex, the Milgauss. I had never thought about it myself, but the moment he mentioned it, I completely agreed. In person, especially in orange, it comes across as slightly post-modern, a bit sophisticated while never busy. There's also the "fun" of such a stoic style being addressed with white and orange, giving it a "Summer vibe" along with its sportiness. Of course, the orange-accented model also harkens back to the famed "Steve McQueen" Rolex Explorer II. In a lot of ways, this is a perfect combination of three of the most iconic watches ever made, but with a fearless uniqueness that makes it "Bernhardt" - From the signage, to the second-hand, to the unique bracelet/strap configuration. It's an inspired original.
The size is perfect - 40 mm, like the classics that inspired it. Like most of us, I've jumped on the big-watch bandwagon and have gotten used to 42 mm+ watches. The starkness and simplicity of this piece lend itself to a masculinely-large size while never being too big to get in the way. It's a perfect size and I'd challenge anyone to see it bigger, it simply wouldn't be as comfortable. The sapphire crystal feels very robust, just a bit showing above the polished bezel. The signed crown screws down, the case-back also, which has been heavily strengthened. This case-back is easily as hefty as the Globemaster case-back. Very, very sturdy. The watch is powered by one of the more bullet-proof movements, Citizen-Miyota's 8215. Mr. Amos swears by this movement, it's capability to "take a beating" and the ability to replace and service. It's time-tested, reliable and holds the simple spirit of purpose-built tool/sport watches. Most importantly, Mr. Amos has added a very unique touch to the strap/bracelet attachment. We've all likely had watches that used proprietary straps, ranging from Tag Heuer to Citizen to Patek Phillipe. Most watch companies will do this and it becomes the bane of many wearers who like to have options for bracelets and straps. Options are usually limited to the in-house versions and sold at exorbitant mark-ups. Still, there's a design and flush-look that makes proprietary straps a benefit. What Mr. Amos has done is built the curved end-link into the case. Upon removing the bracelet, which is his signature, signed, screwed-in steel links, you are presented with a flat-link, flush with the lugs. Any strap (20 mm) can then be attached, but because of the "link" built-into the case, it sits totally flush, no unsightly gap between the watch and the strap. It's little touches like that, along with the anchor at the end of the second-hand, the multiple signings across the watch, that add so much value and provenance to Bernhardt Watches.
Mr. Amos gave me some hints at what could be next for The Bernhardt Watch Company, ranging from more purpose-built law-enforcement inspiration all the way to a truly high-end, hand-made piece involving precious metals and a very unique function. As Mr. Amos releases more information, you'll see it.
Of course, I'll be doing a full-review on the final, shipped Binnacle Anchor, but for the time-being, attached is a very impromptu camera-phone photo of Mr. Amos' newest creation and The Man Himself. Many apologies for the quality of the images, but something is better than nothing.
Best,
N.
