At the end of last year I made a number of decisions about the Kruger V2 and have since pushed the go button on prototypes. Many of you were excited about the prospect of an automatic version. I can confirm that it is going ahead!
Movement
The automatic version will be using the Valjoux/ETA 7750, which has an asymmetrical dial layout. It is an expensive movement, so we will only be making 50pcs. It is also a very thick movement at 7.9mm. We had to make some changes to the case to get it as thin as possible while staying true to our tool watch roots. As such, the water resistance of the watch has been reduced to 100m (down from 300m). This change is across both the mechaquartz and auto versions. The mechaquartz movements will be the TMI VK67 and VK63, same as last time.
Case
The mid case for both versions will be the same, while the bezel and case back will differ for the auto version giving it the extra clearance for the movement. Dimensions are as follows:
- Diameter: 44mm at the bezel
- Thickness: (VK Mechaquartz versions) 12.45mm, (7750 auto version) 15.6mm
- Lugs: 22mm
- Lug to lug: 49.5mm
There was some feedback to make it smaller, but the majority of you said to keep it the same size. Possibly in the future, we can do a fixed bezel version, which would reduce the size dramatically. Important to note – the thickness of the mechaquartz version (12.45mm) is 1.75mm less than previously. Coming back to the water resistance, the pushers will have triple o-ring gaskets, allowing for the use of the chrono function while in the water. Case back and crown are screw down. Another detail to mention is the drilled lugs. This will help with the attachment of certain 3rd party straps.
As mentioned before, the case will follow in the line of the Peregrine and Aoraki, but will have a bead blasted finish. Titanium grade 2 for the material with a 1200HV hardness coating. We redesigned the crown lugs for a more simplified yet aggressive look. The case back will still have the white rhino image. I’ll talk more about the collaboration with the anti-poaching rangers who we’ll be supporting in a future post.
Bezel
For the bezel, it will be 60-click bi-directional with a detent mechanism, which is like a little piston pushing upwards on the bezel against the ratchet teeth on the underside of the bezel. We went with titanium for the bezel too. I’m a little concerned that the action will feel gritty, being titanium on titanium, but we’ll wait and see. The insert will be black ceramic again, but this time with a brushed finish. This should give it a darker appearance more close to the black of the dial. There will be THREE bezel insert options: ‘diver’, ‘count down’ and ‘timezone’.
Dial
The dial will be a single layer with printed markers and Arabics. The black dials will have recessed sub-dials with a concentric rings texture. This detail is not possible on the full-lume versions, as the luminous paint can not be applied in recessed areas. One side effect of a thinner dial, which I am excited about, is a shallower date window. This will mean there is less occlusion when viewing the date from an angle, a win for legibility.
Crystal
The double domed crusytal will have AR coating on both sides. This is going to drastically reduce reflections when viewing outdoors, further enhancing out commitment to making the best affordable outdoor adventure watches.
Variations
We’ll be offering 9 variations of the Kruger, including the auto version. When you add in the option to choose your bezel type, that makes it 27 variations. Unfortunately, the sand coloured dial version I was toying with didn’t make the cut.
I’m considering building a customiser, so when you order your Kruger, you’ll be able to choose:
- Movement – VK67, VK63, 7750
- Case finish – blasted titanium, DLC coated titanium
- Dial colour – black, full-lume white
- Bezel insert – diver, countdown, timezone
- Strap/bracelet – bracelet, leather
Strap/Bracelet
The bracelet design will stay the same as V1, with a 3-link hexad style and screws for the removable links. We’ve sourced a new clasp for the Kruger that will have on-the-fly micro-adjustment.
I’m thinking of also offering the Kruger on the new straps I recently had made from Volkers Workshop – a local leather crafter. These are a chocolate brown veg-tanned top grain leather. Very soft and supple out of the box.
Love the mockups! They look great, im especially glad the auto will come in my preferred colorway. Cany wait for the next update
Cheers Collin!
Hi Mike,
The new Kruger V2 looks fantastic! I have been visiting your website a lot to investigate and admire the Tugela. Briefly after that I noticed your new post of the Kruger V2 on which I decided to wait. I really like the Tugela, but I love the Kruger V2. I notice that you mention a lug to lug of 43.5mm. I guess (and hope) you made a typo and it should be 49.5mm? Great the you were able to reduce the thickness of the watch. Usually that greatly improves the wearing comfort, which is very important to me. Looking forward to impressions and/or pictures of the watches with the different bezel inserts, so I can make up my mind. When are you aiming to release the watches? I cannot wait. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Bart. You were right about the lug-to-lug measurement. I have updated it to 49.5mm
Yes, these watches will be great! You know the numbers but do you think 50pcs of the automatic version will be enough? Maybe some more might be a good idea 😉
I am a fan of your anti-poaching support and I love Rhinos but I think the case-back should get a nice 3D aviation inspired design. It is a Pilot´s watch after all… Maybe a nice Air New Zealand Boeing 777?
Cheers
Love this update! Definitely in on a DLC A. I would love a leather strap option. Personally I hate bracelets so I’d use a canvas or leather strap alternative anyway.
Cheers Walter. Appreciate the feedback!
I just ordered the Tugela, and while browsing the site noticed your chronographs. If the Tugela arrives and is what I expect, count on me buying one of your chronographs as well. Congrats on your prototypes
The design of the lineup looks so good. Proper tool chronographs. Those all black models looks so tactical.
I love the read and am excited with the prospect of these being available. I am liking the specifications and a slightly larger watch to the wrist than my Tugela, which for the record I absolutely love. Can’t wait for the next up date.
Cheers Scott. Appreciate the comment.
I’am waiting for the the Kruger V2.
When can i buy it?
Looking at an early July pre-order launch. Delivery will be in September.
I’m saving now for the Auto. I love the Rhino embossment and commitment to protecting this planet’s wildlife. Well done Mike.
Thanks Brendon! Looking forward to having you on board!
I just stumbled onto this, but I have to say that this is an amazing looking watch and great concept. I love that you are considering the 7750 auto movement for it!
Any progress updates you can share?
Hi Andy. Thanks for the comment. We will be sharing the launch details for the Kruger via email in the next couple days. Prototypes are currently with reviewers.
Pretty excited to have stumbled upon this as the mech quartz version is damn near exactly what I was looking for in a watch. Mock ups look cool. When you do estimate you will have photos of the DLC “B” black and white Kruger’s to share? More specifically with the 12 hour bezel? Those are the ones I keep going back and forth on.
Cheers Greg. Will be great to have you on board for this launch! I’ll send a couple of pics of those versions to your email.
It’s perfect, but I wish we could have a completely monochrome auto version where the chrono second hand is just white instead of blue or red.