Company:Bozeman Watch Company

Bozeman Watch Company

Type	Privately held company
Industry	Original luxury timepiece engineer and manufacturer
Founder	Christopher F. Wardle
Defunct	2015
Headquarters	Bozeman, Montana , United States
Products	Wristwatches, leather goods

The Bozeman Watch Company of Bozeman, Montana, was an American company that designed and engineered its own timepieces and had its mechanical components certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) certified timepieces. The company went out of business in 2015.

History

From the 1850s to the 1950s, America was the predominant manufacturing center for quality and affordable mechanical watches. After WWII, Switzerland advanced its position in the industry ahead of the United States with gauge making experience and machinery which was used for military vehicles. Christopher F. Wardle, originally a native of Michigan and a collector of mechanical timepieces, discovered during his exploits that American watch companies, were all but extinct in the industry. This fact led him to write a business plan in 1994, whereby American innovation could be reintroduced to the watch making industry. In 2001 Wardle sought out an industrial designer to help put his vision and original watch designs to paper. Having been a collector of many American brands and having the desire to keep the models reminiscent of the mid 20th century styles, Wardle started to clinch concepts into designs and after several years of hard work in 2005, introduced the first timepiece, the Smokejumper Chronograph. Incredibly, the Missoula-based National Smokejumper Association (www.smokejumpers.com) endorsed Bozeman Watch Company's Smokejumper Chronograph as the official watch of the wild fire fighter's organization. In 2005, the company opened its first exclusive showroom in Bozeman Montana, USA. In 2008, the company expanded its Michigan design staff and started expanding its ability to create original engineering data, tooling and suppliers to ramp up its model lineup for its expanded showroom plans. In 2010, the Bozeman Watch Company opened another dealer in Whitefish Montana.

The Bozeman Watch Company creates data, tooling and original parts for each new watch model. Staying away from standard production parts, the company takes up to 3 years to design and take to market any of its watch models.

Where many watch makers buy out of catalogs, BWC uses tiny parts that are made for their company exclusively". "In 2005 the company opened its first showroom in downtown Bozeman." It has recently expanded their showrooms to Whitefish, Mt and as of July 2011 Jackson Hole, WY.

Watch Models

Yellowstone

The ladies Yellowstone watch has a 32mm case diameter, interlaced with sapphire crystals. It is waterproof to 5 ATM or about 165 ft. It has a 21 jewel automatic mechanical movement with a date function and a sweep second hand. A hundred pieces will be produced in 2011 and estimated to be available for purchase in December 2011. A men's 38mm model will be released simultaneously with the ladies model. The men's model will house a 25 jewel automatic movement. It is available in stainless steel or alligator black wristband. The men's watch is released in 4 types:

B1 Hellcat

This timepiece is inspired by the legendary F6F Hellcat from World War II, a US naval fighter plane. This distinguished watch gives honor to the men and women of the US military who have willingly given their lives for the United States. As of now, this watch offers two straps, a tan or black saddle leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet. This watch will be released with two hundred first editions. It has a 42.6 mm diameter watch face, a 13.2 mm height. It also has a 25-jewel Swiss movement, 28,800 VPH, a sweep second hand and date functions as well as a screw-down crown. It is water resistant to 330 ft.

Snowmaster Telemetric

This timepiece is "Inspired by snow, powered by wind, born to the mountains-American at heart!!!". This watch has 43mm stainless steel case with 25 jewel automatic Swiss Valjoux movement. Each movement is independently COSC certified in Geneva with second, minute and hour Chronograph timing functions. It also comes with a second 24-hour time zone complication or GMT function as well as a speed and distance telemetric scale.

Smokejumper GMT and Smokejumper Chronograph

There are two Smokejumper style watches, the Smokejumper GMT or Chronograph. the GMT Worldtime is the National Smokejumpers official timepiece. The inspiration for the GMT came from airborne fire fighters" Those who risk it all to preserve life, save property and protect our national forests." . It comes with two different available dial colors: silver and black or enamel and super luminescent. The GMT has automatic Swiss specialty-line mechanical movement, a 21-jewel movement with 28,800 vibrations per hour (VPH). It has a 42-hour power reserve and a second time zone function. It is COSC certified, is water resistant to 330 ft and is domed with sapphire crystals. The back is engraved with the Missoula, MT smokejumper base logo endorsement. The GMT will initially be limited to one hundred individual numbered pieces. The original Smokejumper Chronograph, as stated in the April 2008 issue of Insync; "[I]s BWC's only chronograph and at 46.5mm, its largest. It is also limited to 100 individually numbered editions, which are nearly all spoken for. Wardle says once the Smokejumper is sold out they will produce a different model,[GMT] which should please owners of this distinctive piece".

Herradura

The Herradura was developed with direction from two-time World Series winner, Bosten Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett. "Greatly inspired by the 7000 acre Herradura Ranch and Josh's passion for perfection in everything he does, Christopher Wardle, Bozeman Watch Company's CEO set out to commemorate the Texan and great Boston pitcher with a timeless and rugged piece" (Bozeman Watch Co). Beckett's signature was sent to the BWC, so that each of the 53 numbered pieces have the pitcher's mark on it. The Herradura has 24 jewels with 28,800 VPH, a sweep second hand with a three o'clock date window. It is COSC certified with raised Arabic numerals and raised gold markers with luminescence. It is water resistant to 330 ft and comes with a 44 mm stainless steel case. The leather strap, which is available in saddle tan, is handmade.

Sidewinder

The Sidewinder Retrograde was introduced as a part of its "Montana Class Watch Collection". It is made in the style of a 19th-century timepiece, with raised and separate dial accents. "[E]ach hour marker is a separate applique, placed with care and diligence during the assembly of every individually-numbered Sidewinder." The watch is limited to 100 silver dial and 50 black dial references, with each piece individually numbered. They each have a power reserve meter sub dial, a sweep second hand and a three o'clock date marker, and are all COSC certified. They are water resistant to 330 ft and have convex sapphire crystal dome and come with a 44 mm stainless steel case. Bozeman is the only American manufacturer using original parts that sends its mechanical movements to Geneva for official certification by the COSC. The first timepiece, a chronograph named Smokejumper, was issued in 2005. Bozeman watches have been featured in publications such as Outside's Go,

USS Montana

The state of Montana is the only state in the United States not to have a battleship named after it. The Bozeman Watch Company developed and released the USS Montana. It has crisp white dials and Roman numerals which are drawn from classic era of timepiece aesthetics. The Bozeman Watch Company has stated that "though it is an automatic mechanical watch and not a battleship, we are still honored to be able to show our appreciation to the troops, both past and present, for serving our country and its citizens". The USS Montana has modified Val Granges automatic caliber, with 24 jewels and 28,800 VPH. It is COSC certified with sweep second hand and raised blue Roman numerals. It is water resistant up to 330 ft and comes with 44 mm stainless steel case. The USS Montana has a convex sapphire crystal and tiered lugs.

2nd Edition Cutthroats

The 2nd edition Cutthroat watch has been made with the addition of 24-hour time zone or GMT function, letting owners know what time it is in land of Montana no matter where they are. There are 5 versions of the new Cutthroat and their design is made using the wonderful colors of the different Cutthroat fish. The technical specs of all the watches are as follows, Swiss automatic caliber (movement), 21 jewels with 28,800 VPH, sweep second hand and date function, 24-hour 2nd time zone on outer dial, COSC (Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres certified), individually placed, raised luminescent hour markers, water resistance to 10 ATM below sea level, 42 mm stainless steel case and only 10.5 mm in height, and convex (domed) sapphire crystal.

Cutthroat Yellowstone Edition

• Black leather wristband
• Orange-colored minute and hour hand as well as orange hour markers

Cutthroat Westslope Edition

• Black leather wristband
• Red-colored minute and hour hand as well as red hour markers

Cutthroat Whitefish Edition

• Black leather wristband
• Sage colored minute and hour hand as well as sage hour markers

Cutthroat Mack Creek Edition

• Black leather wristband
• Sky Blue colored minute and hour hand as well sky blue hour markers

Cutthroat 2nd Edition

• Brown leather wristband
• Black reference timepiece
• Sage colored minute and hour hand as well as sage hour markers

Schofield

Limited to a 2010 production of 10 Silver dial individually numbered pieces. 24 jewels with 28,800 vibrations per hour. This timepiece is 44 mm stainless steel case with sweep second hand and 3 O'clock date window. It has individually placed stainless Roman Numerals and raised luminescent 3,6,9,12 hour markers. It comes in a silver or black dial. It comes in Caiman handmade crocodile strap, available in brown or black, handmade Louisiana alligator strap, available in brown or black, or handmade Montana saddle leather strap available in tan or black. All of them have deployment buckles.

Other products

Bannack

The Bannack is a hand-crafted carry-on bag prepared from the best English bridle leather. This bag is 24.5 inches wide by 14 inches high and 9 inches deep. It also has 2 pockets that are 4.5 inches each. This bag has been to many US airports and has come for the most part undamaged.

Wilsall

The Wilsall is also a hand-crafted carry-on bag made from the best English bridle leather. Since this bag is smaller it more qualifies as an overnight bag than a week travel bag. Its dimensions are 18 inches by 11.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Pony

The Pony messenger or mail bag gets its name from the community of Pony, Montana. It is made from the best chap leather. It can hold a laptop and has a pouch for other small electronics. It has triple buckles on the front that can also be used as snaps for easier access. It has an adjustable padded strap. It measures 15 inches wide by 10.5 inches high by 3.5 inches deep. This bag is warranted for life. Buckles are brass and the bag comes in brown distressed leather and chocolate brown.

Missoula

The Missoula is a hand stitched saddle leather laptop case. Its dimensions are 16 inches long by 12 inches high by 2 inches wide, fits most laptops. The buckles and stays are brass and the bag comes in saddle tan, burgundy and black.