Gen Microbrand: G.Gerlach - 303 LE (eye candy)

[GBOGH]

Recently received this G.Gerlach RAF 303 Fighter Squadron Limited Edition model.  It is a tribute to the Polish RAF 303 Fighter Squadron in a pilot style.  Hands look black at certain angles, but then the blue really pops in certain lighting.  Really liking it.  But no more words, just some pics. 

Edited September 5, 2013 by GBOGH

[astonjenks]

I love the look of that, where can you buy one?

Regards

AJ

[GBOGH]

It was a limited edition of 99 and no longer available.  They do have available similar production models like the Batory date, etc.  Here's an article from Worn & Wound about some of their models, and some more details about the 303.

G. Gerlach Watches: Made in Poland
 

 

On top of their mainline, G. Gerlach makes small run watches for specific forums. One of these projects was called the RAF 303 Fighter Squadron. Design aside, the watch was powered by a hand-wound SeaGull movement… with a Polish made module, to give the watch centralized hacking seconds and a 50hr power reserve. Any affordable brand that makes modules, like C. Ward or Louis Erard, gets an extra thumbs-up in my book, but G. Gerlach gets an yet another one (more thumbs than I have at this point) for doing it local. That’s simply amazing. So, the m/s Batory will have their next module, which will have sub-seconds, big date and a 50hr power reserve.

Edited September 5, 2013 by GBOGH

[Deckard1979]

Great choice GBOGH  and good photographs. I love that watch. Nice and simple design. Being Polish and growing up with stories about 303 Fighter Squadron and Battle of Britain I was trying hard to get one.

 

As per OP, they no longer available. I keep checking on WUS, maybe something will pop up for sale.

[GBOGH]

Here's some more info about the G.Gerlach foundation:

G.Gerlach - About the foundation
 

The idea of a foundation was born during some long conversations about the Polish industry, design and products.

We realised, that even though many products are produced in Poland, very few of those products were invented and designed in our country. Poland is one of the largest manufacturers of cars in Europe – so what if all of those cars were designed abroad.They’re just made in Poland. The same goes for airplanes, fridges, TVs and many more items.

Poland has one of the lowest factors of money spent on research and development in relation to a single citizen or the GDP. Our economy is not innovative – its just reproductive.

What’s happening with young inventors and engineers? Supposedly, we are so creative. Where are those ideas? Is it easy to develop a new, innovative idea nowadays? How can we help the Polish engineers and designers get recognition for their work?

And most importantly – the promotion of a country is most effective by  associating products with the given country. The more innovative, advanced, good looking the product is, the stronger the association with the country it was made in. Ikea, Lego, Nokia, Mercedes-Benz, Sony – those keywords describe not only companies, but also the countries of their origin.

This is how the idea of creating a foundation was born. An institution,which will help to promote the Polish technical innovation and help Polish designs come to life. We want to show that both in Poland and abroad, products with the proud „Made in Poland” are of the highest quality and we can be proud of them.

We also want to support Polish engineers, technicians, specialists in design and ergonomy and help them put their ideas into production.

We chose our patron to be a Polish industrialist, who has produced measuring equipment and manometers of highest quality in his factory. You can read more about him in the „Our Patron” tab.

This is how G.Gerlach Fundacja Rozwoju Polskiej Myśli Technicznej i Mechaniki Precyzyjnej was created.

Here's also an article from Worn & Wound about some of their models, and some more details about the 303.

G. Gerlach Watches: Made in Poland
 

On top of their mainline, G. Gerlach makes small run watches for specific forums. One of these projects was called the RAF 303 Fighter Squadron. Design aside, the watch was powered by a hand-wound SeaGull movement… with a Polish made module, to give the watch centralized hacking seconds and a 50hr power reserve. Any affordable brand that makes modules, like C. Ward or Louis Erard, gets an extra thumbs-up in my book, but G. Gerlach gets an yet another one (more thumbs than I have at this point) for doing it local. That’s simply amazing. So, the m/s Batory will have their next module, which will have sub-seconds, big date and a 50hr power reserve.

 

[gran]

Interesting piece. Good to know that polen is not forgotten.

 

UNITAs movement?   edit saw the sea-gull  any pics of movement?

[GBOGH]

Interesting piece. Good to know that polen is not forgotten.

 

UNITAs movement?   edit saw the sea-gull  any pics of movement?

 

 

Yep Sea-Gull base, but in-house modified for central seconds and increased powere reserve to 50hrs.  And sorry, no pics of movement.

 

Edited September 5, 2013 by GBOGH

[GBOGH]

Actually, here is a quote from a post on WUS with the movement pic. 

 

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/g-gerlach-made-poland-642051-82.html#post5282006

 

 

In this case, sure is OK.

Anyway, thank you folks We are very satisfied with this production, but even more important is your feedback.

Samael - I have a wife as well, and share your pains However,I can assure you that after first 100 pcs it is very easy to tell them, that THIS watch is an OLD one, and the box in a trash can is not what she thinks it is
Anyway, considering that this beats inside 303 :

 

 

it is hard to say it's a chinese movement, if anyone bothers. You can not buy one like that in China. Actually, you can not buy it anywere - we made it. Of course it bases on SeaGull ST25, we have no problem with it - it is a great movement.

 

[gran]

its sure looks great