August 28th, 2024

Please allow me to introduce the Boldr ‘VENTURE WAYFARER’ which was just delivered to my doorstep.

Specs:
Case: 38mm titanium case
Movement: Japan Miyota 8217 automatic movement with hacking seconds
Water resistance: 200m (660ft) / 20ATM
Crown: Screw-down with custom embossed BOLDR logo
Dial: Printed matte dial
Hands: Custom with Japan Superlume
Lens: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Strap: Tough nylon strap with custom titanium buckles
Case Thickness: 12mm
Lug size: 20mm
Lug to lug: 44mm
Case Back: Screw-down case back with embossed limited edition designer artwork

The dark titanium case is something that I took initial notice of upon handling this watch. It gives this watch a rugged, tool aesthetic which teamed with this 24hr textured dial screams “I am a tool to be abused for adventure purposes because I can surely handle it!

September 5th, 2024

Boldr Thursday with the Venture Wayfarer-Black. And boy is this dial black! This beautifully textured dial is the perfect backdrop for setting the tone of this watch. I will always be drawn first and foremost by black dials, just as long as it’s not a glossy or sunburst dial. The matte textured dial on this watch adds the first layer of depth. The raised white numerals are the next layer of depth on this dial and I have to say they nailed these numerals. I like how legible the numerals are because of the white set against the black dial adds to the legibility but the fact that they are also raised really allows the numerals to pop. I love when a dial has quick glance legibility. Sometimes all you have is a split second to glance at your watch especially if both of your hands are occupied but you need a quick glance to record the time. It happens to me multiple times during the day at work, so I appreciate the legibility of this dial.

The white text on the dial received the same legible treatment as the numerals. Boldr kept the text to a minimum which I appreciate because it keeps the dial clean. There’s a date window at the traditional 3H position. I really like that the date wheel is black and the numerals are printed in white. More companies need to match the dial color and date wheel if they feel compelled to have a date window. Boldr outlined the date window to match the color of the rectangle markers at the 4 cardinal hours.

The 24hr sub-dial at the 9H position is a detail on this watch that I truly appreciate. We use military time at work so this little detail of the sub-dial is quite a handy little tool for me. The numerals and the border around the sub-dial are well done in their execution. I am really enjoying this dial and how well done it is especially considering the $339 price. The matte finish on the hands of this watch tie in so nicely with the finish on the Wayfarer’s case. I always appreciate continuity of details on a watch. Boldr didn’t disappoint me in this regard.

September 12th, 2024

The battle has been taken to the gates of Mordor! Thankfully I am armed with the @boldrsupplyco Venture Wayfarer-Black. I love how the hands are the same color and finish as the case itself on this watch. Matte finished hands are my preferred style. I am not a fan of polished finishes especially on watches that are geared towards adventure. The consistency through details is the way to my heart when it comes to watches. And I love the little pop of orange on the second hand! My friend Andrei would agree that these hands are properly proportional to the dial. Right Andrei?!? The hands are treated with lume to ensure that great daytime legibility is also achieved at night or environments when lighting is low.

I have always appreciated the Venture case design, shape and dimensions. I know I say case size is irrelevant and it is in my opinion. I am speaking on how the Venture Wayfarer dimensions nicely accentuate the overall design of this watch. Would this case work in 44mm or 47mm, definitely and those dimensions would still accentuate the overall design of this watch. The Venture case wears well and comfortable like I find all watches to wear. Don’t think I have ever said a watch was heavy or uncomfortable. I like the wrist presence that this watch has. The matte finish of the case and the shape of this case gives the Venture a no nonsense, tool watch vibe. Thankfully the Venture Wayfarer isn’t just a “pretty” face, the case is made to handle abuse. The titanium case comes in at 38mm x 12mm thick and 44mm lug to lug for those of you who have certain size preferences.

I love that the lugs on the Venture Wayfarer are drilled. I wish that Boldr would take it a step further and add in screw bars for that added security. In my opinion, it would take Boldr’s watch a step further. Boldr’s crown game needs zero improvement because it’s already perfected. This crown is easy to grip, operates smoothly throughout screwing/unscrewing action, setting the time/date, and winding the Japan Miyota 8217 automatic movement with hacking seconds.

September 19th, 2024

I love how the hands catch and play with the light. These are exactly how a tool watch hands should be, NOT POLISHED! This is how a tool watch case should be, NOT POLISHED! Boldr got it absolutely right with this watch and they made a great beater of a tool watch. It’s a great grab and go watch for any kind of adventure. It wears smaller than the dimensions imply because of the lug style. Those of you who like a watch to disappear while on the wrist, this is a great option for you.

I love the fixed bezel on this watch, it just adds to the sterile feel of this case. The no crown guards also add to that sterile aesthetics. The no crown guards also allow the wearer to easily grip a hold of the crown. This watch is a looker no matter what angle you are looking at it from.

The Venture Wayfarer comes on a NATO style black strap. It’s a fitting strap for this watch. I just put it on a leather strap so you can see what it looks like on a different style strap. I do love Boldr’s NATO straps. I own a few of them and they definitely hold up well. What I like about Nato straps is that if the do fray, it’s easy to burn them and reform the edges by using two coins. If you have questions on how to do this, I’ll show you.

September 26th, 2024

The Venture Wayfarer-Black is a smaller watch if you strip it down into just dimensions, but if you look at this watch in terms of its details, well then this watch is “larger than life”. There are so many details that I admire on this watch but what I appreciate the most about this watch is that it’s a great example of a grab & go beater. It’s a watch that once you strap it on your wrist, you don’t have to worry about it until you need it. Boldr knows that this watch is going to get the hell beat out of it. There’s no sweat beading down their brow. There’s no nervous tapping fingers on a table. What is there?!? There’s a smirk on Boldr’s face. It’s not a negative smirk, it’s a smirk of knowing that their watch is going to handle any adventure that is thrown at it.

I wanted to show how well this watch transitions between straps. This watch works so damn well on leather, on a NATO, and on a canvas…..Just as the different straps/strap materials transition so easily, this watch transitions so incredibly easy. From work, to hiking, to the gym, to a chill night on the couch. It’s just an absolute joy to wear.

Boldr makes a hell of a watch. I have yet to experience a Boldr that any quality issues and that’s more important to me than anything. Quality and engineering are the two driving forces behind why I appreciate a watch and Boldr has never disappointed me with quality. I can write you a list of brands whose watches disappointed me with poor quality control issues and whose watches cost 20x plus the cost of this Boldr watch!

October 3rd, 2024

I really like this piece. It might be my second favorite Boldr of all time. The Regatta still holds the top spot. Hell, I even like this piece more than the Odyssey that has the caseback that I designed for Boldr. It’s cool to think that my artwork is on the caseback of like a 1,000 watches all over the planet. It was a real honor when Boldr asked me to design a caseback for all of their Odyssey watches that year. I am forever grateful and humbled by that experience. Especially given the fact that I just hit rock bottom in my life and was at the lowest point ever facing my most difficult challenges ever. Facing my childhood demons, reliving the trauma so that I could finally and properly heal from it all! This song hits home from me. Hard hit home from those days of being at rock bottom.

Let’s talk about this Venture Wayfarer-Black. A watch designed for adventure. It is definitely holding up well so far too, so the quality is made for adventure as well. I’m looking forward to wearing this one in the winter. I have the feeling that it will hold up well in the snow and ice but I want to get it dirty, hands on style. If it’s anything like the many other Boldr watches that o have put through their paces, then this one should be just fine. I’ll keep you all updated of course.

For $339, this watch not only is an affordable watch for your everyday carry but you don’t have to feel guilty when you beat the shit out of it. Not that I ever feel guilty. The price here also makes this a great gift idea. X-mas is less than 3 months away! I get ask asked that question a lot from my non-watch friends. “What watch would be a good gift for my husband/wife/dad/son/boyfriend/girlfriend?!?” This is definitely one of those watches that I would recommend for that question.

October 24, 2024

This Wayfarer watch is a fun piece to wear and it’s definitely a fun one to photograph. I have grown quite fond of Boldr over the past 7 years or so. They continue to put out models every year that wow me for various reasons but the main reason is that they continue to evolve yet not stray from their DNA. Thats something that I will always respect a brand for doing successfully. Creating new watches to maintain public interest but not abandoning their original vision is a hard thing to pull off for a brand. Over the past few decades, I have seen a lot of brands come and go. It’s sad, because there were some that were way ahead of their time, there were some that made amazing watches but unfortunately it didn’t translate into sales. The watch community is a finicky bunch. The pandemic era has brought in a more whiny bunch who like to tantrum for some reason. Maybe mommy didn’t love them enough or maybe their testicles got covered in lint when they were in the wife’s purse.

There’s nothing wrong with liking what you like. If it makes you happy that is all that matters. I am all about people sharing their experienced based opinions. I am all about respectful debates. There is no right or wrong in this hobby. I am also all about sarcastic humor and busting chops. If that isn’t for you, just block me that way there won’t be any misunderstandings.

Thank you for reading and thank you to the entire team at Boldr!

https://www.boldrsupply.co