Last July, I wrote about the Redux COURG,
a cool new tool watch that set Kickstarter on fire with its military
style, mid-size titanium case, and $199 pre-order price. I liked what I
saw. So much so that I ordered one –
along with 2199 others. When it was all over, Redux had raised a
remarkable $692,912, and then raised another $131,166 through BackerKit,
selling for $399 for grade 2
titanium, and $450 for grade 5. Six months later, I have my watch in
hand. Did the COURG live up to the hype? If so, is it still a good value
at double the pre-sale price?
I won't reiterate all the features
and specs here as I have already covered them in my initial preview, but
I will hit the highlights and identify any significant changes. The
COURG has a 40mm diver's style case with a choice of five dials, with or
without a date. (There were originally only four options but a Nav-B
was added as a stretch goal.) The case and bezel are titanium. The
movement is the familiar Seiko NH35 automatic.
I opted for a Zero Hour with no date
in a grade 2 case. I had fallen for this dial right from the start,
digging its oversized numbers, the big triangle at 12, and the
hoop-tailed bright yellow second hand. Like all of the available dials,
it is sterile, leaving the company logo to the crown and case back. The
numbers, hands, and bezel triangle are SuperLuminova, providing a
respectable, two-tone glow at night.
Partway through the campaign, Redux offered an option to upgrade from grade 2 titanium to a higher quality grade 5. I
stuck with my grade 2 titanium because frankly, I did not see the point
in upgrading. It is true that the grade 5 alloy is stronger than pure
grade 2, and there was only a slight price difference between the two
($25 at pre-order, $50 retail), but I was willing to save a few bucks by
waiving metallurgical bragging rights. This is a wristwatch, after all, not a spy plane.
The COURG arrived in a simple,
unfinished wooden box and a waxed canvas travel roll. The roll was
included in the Kickstarter campaign and may be purchased separately for
$39. It is a dandy piece of kit, offering protection for four watches
with room in the top pocket for a passport or similar small documents.
It secures with a stamped leather strap that happens to be 20mm wide. In
theory, you could use it as a watch strap, wrapping the length around
your wrist twice. The warm brown color pairs well with the cooler black
and grey, but the wrap look is not for everyone and the brass hardware
clashes. Personally, I think the strap functions better on the roll.
I was pleased to see that the watch
is faithful to its promotional photos, although it looks a shade
brighter and more silver than many expected. It is not a huge
difference, but it does look rather clean. Redux has advised that the
finish will darken over time as the titanium oxidizes, forming its
characteristic blue-gray patina. I'm curious to see how this develops.
When I last covered the watch, Redux was soliciting case back designs
from its backers. They ultimately chose an engraving resembling an aircraft data plate, complete with serial number.
The
watch has a screw down crown at 4 o'clock, flanked by asymmetrical
guards. It operates smoothly, and the deep gear toothed edge affords
an easy grip. Bezel action is equally good, moving with positive
clicks and no back play. Some buyers have reported a gritty feel that
Redux has chalked this up to the blasted finish on the two surfaces.
They say the bezel will wear in with use, but as I did not encounter
this problem on mine, I neither comment nor complain. The engraved
numbers are nice and deep, easily visible under normal lighting
conditions. Close examination reveals a rough, pebbled surface inside
but this does not detract from the bezel's appearance.
Different straps were available
during the campaign, but I went with the standard 20mm nylon NATO. The
strap has angular custom hardware that is signed and matches the case.
It looks fantastic, but it is just over a foot long – far more than I
need and too much to reasonably tuck into the keepers. Small wristed
folks like myself will need to cut it down or find other options. Lucky
for me, I have a healthy stock in the strap drawer and soon found an
olive drab canvas strap from a Bulova Hack Commemorative and a thick
suede NATO. Swapping was a breeze as the COURG has drilled lugs and
sufficient room between the case and spring bars to swallow the
heavyweight leather on the pass through strap. The difficult part is
finding suitable strap hardware. Titanium buckles are not common, but a
blasted finish will do nicely.
The 40mm COURG is the perfect size
for my 6.5" wrist. I was worried that the 14mm thickness would make it
look unbalanced, but this is not the case. The fat case has the
appropriate wrist presence for a tool watch without being ungainly, and
will carry off a beefy strap with ease.
Overall, I am thoroughly satisfied
with the Redux COURG. It looks great, wears well, and represents a good
value, even at its new price. My
only gripe is the length of the NATO, and that a fairly minor quibble. I
got a heck of a deal on the pre-order, but I still recommend it at full
price.
I hear a new Redux site is in development, but for the time being, you can buy a COURG of your own at the Redux Backerkit page.
Pro: Titanium case, modest size.
Con: Long strap.
Sum: Everything I wanted. The Time Bum approves.
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