A few months back, Switzerland-based newcomer Tate Wade successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign for the brand?s inaugural collection dubbed Bokeh. Teaming up Studio Divine?a noted design firm perhaps best known for its influential work with SEVENFRIDAY and REC?the founders of Tate Wade wanted to create a photography-inspired collection of watches. Born of that collaboration, the Bokeh series subtly?some might argue perhaps a bit too subtly?hints at that inspiration, with certain elements of the case and dial pulling from that source.
The Bokeh collection is available in three distinct flavors: Stainless Steel, Black PVD, and Gun Metal PVD. Of the three, we chose the Gun Metal PVD for review, with that particular model being the most striking of the three with the tuning of the colors here arguably being the best fit for the design. The case is, as mentioned, finished in a really attractive gunmetal PVD, and the dial is a mix of layered surfaces featured in charcoal gray, copper, rose gold, and silver. Now, this design won?t be for everyone, and it’s fair to critique the prominent logo (both in terms of design and overall placement), the use of an altimeter date aperture, and the overall size of the watch and what that does to the proportions of the dial. That said, it?s hard to find any fault in the in-hand feel of the watch. This thing is really well-made, and the three watches of the Bokeh series are executed to a high level, feeling solidly-engineered and ...