It is a little know fact, that the first recorded successful instance of crowdfunding occurred in 1997, when a British rock band funded their reunion tour through online donations from their fans. Inspired by this innovative method of financing, ArtistShare became the first dedicated crowdfunding platform in 2000. Shortly thereafter, more crowdfunding platforms began to emerge, and the crowdfunding industry has grown consistently each year.
Fast-forward twenty years and today, we see billions of pounds (dollars, euros and swiss francs etc) and thousands of projects funded by a multitude of crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Crowdcube and CircleUp to name a few.
We have covered a number of brands that have successfully used the crowdfunding model selling direct to consumers raising significant funds well above stated targets. The most recent of these brands is LIV Watches which became the most crowdfunded Swiss watch start-up in Kickstarter history when it launched the Genesis X1 Automatic watch.
Founded in 2012 by husband and wife, co-founders Solomon (‘Chaz’) and Esti Chazanow, the inspiration for LIV came from Chaz’s love for outdoor sports and affinity towards premium watches. This was a result of working in the watch industry for over twenty years. In 2014, the LIV brand launched on Kickstarter for the Genesis X1 Chronograph — a watch that combined the high-end craftsmanship of a luxury watch with the durability necessary for an active lifestyle.
Following the success of the original LIV Genesis X1 Chronograph, they again used Kickstarter to help launch the Genesis X1 Automatic. With a relatively modest $30,000 target, the LIV GX1-A achieved its goal in just over 30 minutes. It went on to generate more than $1.1 million from over 2,000 backers, becoming the most crowdfunded Swiss watch ever.
Taking It To Another Level
LIV are now launching their latest Kickstarter campaign, which they are calling ‘The Breakthrough’ because they believe that the designs and functionalities of the watches they’re offering take the brand to the next level.
We tallied up the requests, personally spoke to some of our most die-hard fans, scoured every single review that we have ever received and BOOM- something magical was born. A whole series of watches that give new meaning to combining form with function, at an accessible price.” S. Chazanow, Founder, LIV Watches
THE GX P51 SWISS AUTO CHRONOGRAPH PILOT’S WATCH
Limited to 500 pieces, this watch is dedicated to the P51 Mustang WW2 Plane and constructed with a titanium case, ceramic bezel and a sapphire crystal (front and back). It features a 25 jewel Swiss automatic movement.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: Sellita SW 500 Swiss automatic chronograph
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- 12 hour chronograph functions: hours, minutes, seconds
- Date displayed in window – quick set
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine Sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
THE GX SWISS AUTO CHRONOGRAPH
Limited to 1,000 pieces, this watch is inspired by the original chronograph (quartz), that formed the basis of the first Kickstarter campaign. Many of their ‘fans’ were begging for the same timepiece, in an automatic version, which has now been created.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: Sellita SW 500 Swiss automatic chronograph
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- 12 hour chronograph functions: hours, minutes, seconds
- Date displayed in window – quick set
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
THE GX DIVER’S SWISS AUTOMATIC
Limited to 1,000 pieces, this stylish diver, is not for the faint hearted. It features 300 meter/1000 feet water resistance, a ceramic rotating bezel, 25 jewel Swiss automatic movement (ETA 2824) and a sapphire crystal with Cyclops.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: ETA 2824 Swiss automatic
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Number of jewels: 25
- Special features: Incabloc Shock Protection, Etachron Regulator, Stone Lever Escapement, Quickset Date
- Water resistance: 300 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- Skeleton back
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
THE GX ALARM
Limited to 1,000 pieces, this watch features a RONDA 4120.B movement; 100-meter water resistance, and, of course, an alarm feature which can be extremely useful.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Movement: RONDA startech Caliber 4120.B
- Standard battery life: 50 months
- Special features: 2 eyes, multifunction, alarm, big date, small second, very easy handling by one pusher
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Three-dimensional multilayered sandwich dial
- Luminescence – BGW9 on hands and large indexes
- Genuine sapphire crystal – scratch resistant and anti-reflective
- 316L stainless steel case
- Screwed down case back with four screws
- Screw in crown
If you’d like to be part of the hugely successful LIV Swiss Watches story and take part in the Kickstarter ‘Breakthrough’ campaign, please visit https://livwatch.com/mrwatchmaster