Proudly Honoring History: A first look at the new MKI G E N E S I S
Every great watch starts with a great story. There was an incredible desire within our community to design a watch that honored the proud rotary wing heritage of our customers and our country. Using a tasteful blend of both past and contemporary styles, we wanted the new watch to be reminiscent of watches worn by the battle-hardened, helicopter flying heroes of the Vietnam era.
The Vietnam war was the genesis and shining moment for modern combat helicopter operations, and it was fitting that we finally paid tribute to such an important part of our lineage and United States history. This desire created the MKI G E N E S I S, and with it a new chapter in our watchmaking story.
This new offering is a classic, rugged multi-purpose field watch, designed to be suitable in both casual or tactical environments. Measuring at a respectable 40mm diameter, the MKI is our smallest watch to date and will wear comfortably on virtually any wrist size.
Two versions will be available: a dual timezone GMT reference as well as a limited edition automatic reference. The MKI will be as durable as ever, resistant to external shock and boasting an impressive 100 meters of water resistance for worry free wear. The MKI will be hand assembled, tested, and regulated in the United States, a crucial part of our continued commitment to exceptional quality and transparency.
Designed to be a serious Aviator’s tool, legibility and functionality are hallmarks of this new design. Large, night illuminated hour indexes and a unique ‘morse code’ style inner track provide superior visibility in all lighting conditions. We use high quality Swiss SuperLuminova throughout the dial to be especially bright during hours of darkness.
Our reputation for exceptionally built watches and superior customer service will no doubt continue with the MKI. 316L Industrial Grade Stainless Steel will be used throughout the case and case back, the very same steel used by the world’s most respected luxury brands. Never settling for cheaper mineral glass, we use a top grade Sapphire Crystal with an applied anti-reflective (AR) coating to provide the highest degrees of dial visibility and protection at any angle.
The smaller size and tactful presence of this watch will be of particular interest to both male and female professionals alike. The MKI was designed to be practical in any setting, measuring just 40mm in diameter and less than 12mm from top to bottom. With this watch, we have returned to our classical inspired roots using alternating polished and brushed surfaces, clean symmetrical lines, and chamfered edges throughout the case design.
The MKI G E N E S I S GMT is powered by the dual time, Swiss made 515.24H movement, which is of particular value to Aviators and professional tacticians who work across international borders. The GMT reference will be available in 3 separate colorways.
Classic Silver
Red Gold
Bead Blasted Black
The MKI G E N E S I S Automatic, powered by the 28,800 beat per hour Miyota 9015 movement, will be available in the classic silver colorway with a special Limited Edition, fully illuminated military tan dial.
Each colorway has an option for a genuine leather pilot strap, NATO style nylon strap, or steel bracelet. Pre-sale orders will have an opportunity to own a piece of history. Each watch will come with a collectable heirloom that is constructed from metal from an actual UH-1 Iroquois (“Huey”) helicopter.
We were commissioned to design a case back styling that honored the rotary wing lineage of our customers and well represented the birth of modern combat helicopter operations. This special caseback has 3 legendary helicopters from our past proudly embossed in the center, with the words “dedicated to the art of low level flight’ centered in place. Only military affiliated customers are eligible for this special caseback which will be confirmed after your order is placed.
As with all of our watch offerings, our upcoming pre-sale period is the best and only way to obtain one of our newest watch models at a significantly reduced price. The pre-sale opportunity for this watch will begin in early November, with a starting price of $329 for GMT models and $449 for automatic powered models. Regular Retail Price (RRP) will be $529 for the GMT model, and $679 for the automatic model. Each model will be limited to 300 pieces worldwide.
We strongly encourage you to participate in the pre-sale and be one of the first to own these awesome timepieces. The pre-sale launch opportunity only happens once and will not repeat. If you have been waiting for the right opportunity to purchase a watch and become a part of our family, it’s here. We look forward to having you join our community. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss your chance to purchase a piece of history. You won’t be disappointed.