Gridiron Diver Production Update: The Final Stretch
The idea for this watch started last football season. That was when the concept for the Gridiron Diver first came together and I knew I wanted to build something inspired by Chicago, football energy, and the kind of bold diver aesthetic I’ve always gravitated toward. SQND CITY itself goes back much further. I came up with the brand name about three years ago, long before I ever planned a full release. For the first two years, I focused on custom watch making and modding, selling pieces on marketplace and learning the craft one build at a time. That experience is what made this release possible.
The real push for this project began in the spring. That was when I committed to turning the Gridiron Diver into a full production watch and started sourcing every custom part. Now we are four weeks away from launch and production is moving fast.
The custom engraved caseback and crown were the first major components to arrive. Seeing those pieces in person made everything feel real. After that, the custom dial landed and it came out exactly how I envisioned it. The custom stitched sailcloth band followed, and the quality of the stitching and material is solid. Movements arrived recently in perfect working order and every single one has been tested. I am still waiting on the custom engraved clasp, which will complete the hardware set.
I have already started building the watches. Movements are being cased. Hands are being set with precision. Bezels are aligned and checked. Every part gets inspected before it becomes part of a build. This is small batch production done by hand here in the Chicago area. It is personal, independent, and focused on quality.
Packaging is the last major piece still in transit. The custom watch rolls were actually the first packaging item to arrive and they look great. Once the full packaging set arrives, everything will be ready for final assembly and quality control. Packaging matters because it completes the experience. It is the first thing you see when you open your watch and it sets the tone for what SQND CITY stands for.
The images above show the parts that have come in. Cases, dials, straps, bracelets, movements, and the custom rotor are all here. Seeing everything together is motivating and surreal. It represents months of planning, sourcing, and refining.
We are four weeks away from release. I am excited and proud of how far this project has come since spring. The Gridiron Diver started as an idea during football season and now it is becoming something real that people will wear, collect, and connect with. SQND CITY has been in my head for years, but this is the moment it becomes a true microbrand. Thank you for following the journey and supporting this project. More updates are coming as we get closer to launch.
Comments