Hirwill is a recently started micro watch brand from Sweden. Their first collection, the Hirwill 01, is inspired by vintage measurement tools and has launched on Kickstarter as of September 26th, 2017. “We wanted to create a watch that had a vintage look but with a modern feel. Our main inspirational source comes from barometers and opisometers, both used frequently by fishermen and other seafarers back in the day. Barometers are well known to most, but the history and invention was more vivid than we first expected.”
The watches have a cylinder-shaped case, with distinct and sharp geometrical lines and edges. The PVD gold coating provides a brushed brass-like look. The uniquely designed case is made of 316 stainless steel. It will be produced both with and without PVD gold coating (titanium nitride + gold). The case measures 38mm in diameter and 47mm lug to lug. A convex screw-in caseback seals the back of watch. The crown consists of a three part construction with an embossed logo in the shape of the Hirwill bird. The dial is enhanced with black print on white enamel, all shielded by a domed sapphire crystal. A Miyota 2305 quartz movement powers the watch and the time is indicated with diamond cut black hands done in a vintage style.
“We are of very fond of mechanical movements, both hand-wound and automatic. To us, they can be pure art. For this collection we chose to go with a well known quartz movement, the Miyota 2305. This gives precise timekeeping and no need for extra maintenance. With the history of Japanese watchmaking in mind, we are certain we have made a good choice.” The Hirwill watch is delivered with a strap either of stainless steel mesh or of leather from Tärnsjö Garveri in Sweden. Tärnsjö Garveri is one of the few remaining tannery houses that still use the traditional method of organic vegetable tanning instead of the more cost effective chrome excel method. Instead of using harmful chemicals, the needed acidity is retrieved from tree bark.
The first barometer is credited to Evangelista Torricelli, a student and friend of Galileo Galilei, back in the year 1643. Early experiments had been performed, where a closed tube with water was half immersed in a larger water container. The bottom of the pipe was then opened, enabling the water to leave the tube by the aid of gravity. Strangely enough, the water still stayed in the tube. But, empty space had appeared in the top – vacuum. Torricelli came to the conclusion that it was the pressure of the atmosphere that kept the water in the tube. The size of the vacuum depended on the fluctuating surrounding atmospheric pressure. This revelation was what lead to the barometer. He continued experimenting, although often in secret to avoid malicious rumors of witchcraft.
In the 1870s, Robert Fitzroy, perhaps most famous for being the captain of “the Beagle” on Darwin’s famous voyage, became skilled at using barometers to predict the weather and was the first to publish weather forecasts. His charts and barometers were used in each harbor to predict and prevent ships from going out to sea in bad conditions, saving countless lives in the process. The aneroid barometer (how most people recognize the barometer) was invented by a french scientist named Lucien Vidi. The pressure is measured mechanically with a flexible metal capsule and displayed with a dial and a pointer. These are often found in wooden boats, in combination with a brass wall clock.
What is Hirwill’s place in the watch industry and aren’t there enough watch brands by now? “We think of ourselves as a micro beer brewery that is located in the watch industry. We provide our brew to a limited group of people. Our goal is not to produce the next bestseller watch. Instead, we are driven by passion and joy, and as most micro-breweries, we are not afraid to be different and experiment with flavors and styles. We are not here to change the world like Toricelli or Fitzroy, but their story inspired us and we hope it shows in the product.”
“We’ve seen tons of watch brands who market themselves through sailing, racing, aircraft, diving, or perhaps luxury in general. All of these can of course be very appealing in the right environment. We wanted to create a watch we had not seen before – a watch that reflected our interests and that could be photographed in our own environment, like the forest, fields, or while rowing a boat in the lake. While searching for inspiration we also found the opisometer, primarily used for nautical purposes. They were used for measuring curved lines on maps. Just like barometers, the opisometers’ dials are often beautiful and full of characteristics.”
The first Hirwill watch collection launched on Kickstarter on September 26th, 2017. Retail price will be around €250, with favorable discounts for early backers on the Kickstarter campaign. hirwill.com
Sponsored Posts are a form of advertising that allows sponsors to share useful news, messages, and offers to aBlogtoWatch readers in a way traditional display advertising is often not best suited to. All Sponsored Posts are subject to editorial guidelines with the intent that they offer readers useful news, promotions, or stories. The viewpoints and opinions expressed in Sponsored Posts are those of the advertiser and not necessarily those of aBlogtoWatch or its writers.