Permission to Come Aboard: A Tour of the All New Castaway Koa Watch

by Brett Gontarek
Permission to Come Aboard: A Tour of the All New Castaway Koa Watch

Our latest design builds on the nautical themes from the previous castaway but showcases tighter details that better narrate a love letter to Hawaii and its seafaring history. The Castaway displays our best "curly grain" Hawaiian koa wood and shimmering blue mother-of-pearl set beneath the koa — relief cuts allow the iridescent ocean color to shine through at the minute markers and the moon phase complication. A dive watch whose details chart a course from ancient Koa wa'a and the legendary Hōkūle‘a and continue past the great white Matson ships of the 50's into the modern age.  Each colorway tells the story in its own way.

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Why a New Design? Wasn't the OG a Top Seller?

The initial goal was to simplify the number of watch designs but make a significant move forward in quality and details that tell a cohesive story. We started the waterproof encased Koa style of watch over 12 years ago and I wanted to make a "FINAL" collection, that if it were my last, I'd be proud of it...essentially pushing everything to the absolute best as an individual watch and as a collection. The original design was a top seller but I felt it could be better...and I'm super excited to release the new version as it's better in every way.

SETTING SAIL SOON!

Beyond the Hawaiian Kine details what were the overall design goals ?

The Castaway is essentially a love letter to sailing and the culture of exploration and navigation (way-finding) that runs so deep in Hawaii. I love "easter eggs"...little design details that aren't obvious but create a story and a feel along the way.   

Some design goals are non-negotiable...it had to be tough and able to keep up with any adventure... so.. waterproof 10atm, sapphire crystal (doesn't scratch), hefty buckle style band clasp, bulletproof silicone band, Japanese Miyota movement for longevity and simplicity...designed so you never have to take it off. 

Basically, the goal was to create the highest quality Koa wood watch available, using top tier parts and meticulous finishing that should only be available on a watch 2-3 times more expensive. 

Got it.. A high quality Koa watch that punches above it's price.. but what about the design.

I always felt the OG Castaway watch body was better suited for Surfrider while the Element and Fissure 8 body lent itself to the Castaway.   The new Castaway has elements of both but is distinctly unique. The shape of the body feels subtly nautical because it's inspired by a nautical compass and the binnacle found on the early Matson white ships. The domed sapphire crystal amplifies the feeling of the domed compass housing while the rounded body shape intensifies the visual connection.  

Words, Words, Words ...Show Me.

Sailcloth & Silicone Band

We designed the band to be bulletproof: silicone makes it effortless and comfortable while the sailcloth adds strength and the nautical vibes. The buckle, built like a tank. 

Finding the right sailcloth was a mission.. it gives a bit of pearlescent shine without overpowering. The final capstone was to set the weave on a 45 degree angle..for some reason it gives a sense of movement.

Nautically Inspired Watch Body: Binnacle Compass

Nautical vibes don't just happen...they're baked into the subtle details to give a feeling. We based the watch body shape on the binnacle compass of the historic Matson White Lines.. The domed sapphire crystal compliments the effect. Fill it with oil, and you've got a nautical statement.

Land and Water: Koa and Mother of Pearl

The watch face is Hawaiian curly Koa overlaid on Mother of Pearl. The shimmer of the light blue MOP resonates the feel of shallow water anchorages while the curl of the Koa shimmers and ties in Hawaiian Canoe construction and the symbolism of the land. Mauka to Makai.

Rajah, What About the Hawaiian Kine Details

A tour of the Castaway:

  • Mother-of-pearl sits beneath the koa and shows through the cutout five-minute markers and the window below the moonphase — so it reads like water under the wood.
  • The second hand is shaped like the mast of a Hawaiian sailing canoe.
  • The minute and second hands are shaped like the sails of Hōkūle‘a — at 12 o’clock, it looks like a boat sailing away.
  • On the black and copper version, the hands are red, like Hōkūle‘a’s actual sails; on the silver version they’re white, more like a classic sailing boat.
  • The case shape is reminiscent of the binnacle on an old Matson White Ships.
  • The crown is shaped like a sailing winch drum — and the star on the outside of the crown matches the insert a crank drops into.
  • The band is silicone with a sailcloth inlay — the look of a sailcloth strap with the toughness and comfort of silicone.
  • A beefy buckle built for adventure
  • A unidirectional dive bezel

hands Hokulea sails and mast

at the 12oclock.. the sails line up as if the Hokulea is voyaging off.. the red versions color match the sails

Crown-- winch drum..star crank

crown shape of modern winch w/ the star matches the connector for a winch handle crank

Moon-Phase Complication

nothing better...on the water w/ a moonrise.. adds a bit of helpful knowledge as well.

quick change bands..

quickly swap to your mood.. leather w/ canoe lashing stitching...butterfly clasps w/ leather and beefy buckle for security on the silicone...

SHOP THE DESIGN

summer silver, sunset copper, night watch black versions

each color combo expresses a different aspect of the voyage. 

SHOP THE DESIGN

star detail around min markers

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SHOP THE DESIGN

I guess we better explain the Koa

Koa was used for the original Hawaiian Sailing canoes.  Its strength, size and straight growth was perfect for a canoe that would sail accross the Pacific. 

All our Koa comes from the big island.. responsibly sourced from dead or dying trees... only the most beautiful curly grained koa is used which dances when it catches the light.

Want the background on the wood? Here's the full Hawaiian koa story, and here's the info on all our Koa Apple Watch bands.

And who your buying from..

You’ll notice I often say “we” — it’s really just me, but “we” sounds less conceited. Just know you’re buying from a small shop in Honolulu, trying to carve out a living for his family. I use the best curry Koa I can get my hands on and a lot of care poured into creating a one-of-a-kind piece... that's the whole point.

"If it's going to happen, it's going to happen out there"... Legend-

FAQs

Yes, of course, Like its siblings the Waterman & Surfrider, The Castaway has a unidirectional bezel and is built to actually go in the water. If you flood it, I'll exchange it. I don't know many people diving beyond 330 feet.

Yes — Curly Hawaiian Koa from the Big Island over genuine mother-of-pearl, hand-finished in Honolulu. Between the natural grain and the shifting shimmer of the shell, no two Castaways look alike.

Real mother-of-pearl set beneath the koa face. It shows through the cutout markers and below the moonphase, so the dial reads like water under the wood — and every one shimmers a little differently

The hands are shaped like Hōkūle‘a’s sails (so 12 o’clock looks like a boat sailing away), the second hand is a canoe mast, and the crown is shaped like a sailing winch drum. It’s a watch built around Hawaiian voyaging, past and present.

To get maximum function, it’s a silicone base with a sailcloth inlay — the look of sailcloth with the comfort and durability of silicone. Our sailcloth has a bit of sheen to it which really compliments the watch.

The watch case is 45mm and the band is 24mm wide.  The watch feels smaller on the wrist because the lugs are inset and there isn't a crown protector creating additional bulk.