Rellek Hound's Alpha One

[AtomicTom]

Hey guys, have you already had time to see this new watch called the Alpha One? It's from
Illinois' own Rellek Hounds, a brand new watch company, or brand.

At first, the Alpha One looks to have a traditional Submariner style, but then things change
with a lugless 44mm stainless steel polished, or polished PVD case. You also have a 60 click
bi-directional bezel, AR coated sapphire crystal, 200m WR, BGW9 Super-Luminova hands, and
markers, Seiko NH35 automatic, sapphire exhibition case-back, leather straps, and more guys.

Some pictures for you...











Didn't find a website, but here is Rellek Hound's Facebook, and Kickstarter page though...

https://www.facebook.com/RellekHounds/p ... =3&theater

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/re ... aftsmanshi

[mikeylacroix]

TunaTagDweller

[streetracer101]

Hmmm..sub rip off that's missing the lugs. I something I could've never dreamt up...and can't unsee.

[gonzomantis]

Puckmariner?

[james80]

Why try to do something kinda different (lugless) but copy everything else?? It's like they used all their brain power deciding to go lugless then ran out of steam.

Edit, just checked their Kickstarter, that's exactly what he set out to create, sub copy without lugs.

[ericf4]

I can't get into lugless watches.

Sent from my Moto Z Force

[Torrid]

Puckmariner?

That is the exact name I had in my head scrolling through the pictures.

[tattoo chef]

Oh come on! Just ridiculous


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RellekHounds]

Thank you Tom for posting this. Ill try to right this sinking ship, hopefully I can turn them into believers of the Alpha One, and what I'm hoping to build.

First off let me introduce myself. I'm Kevin, the creator behind Rellek hounds, and the designer behind the Alpha One. I live just outside of Chicago IL and have had a passion for watches even sense my grandfather gave me an old Elgin pocket watch some years ago. I do not pretend to be a watch "Aficionado", merely a WIS that wants to design watches and grow a company.

What makes the Alpha One ridiculous?...Maybe it was intentional?
Maybe, I wanted to build a watch that "shouldn't be built" because the fun in watch collecting is having something unique? Right?
What's more unique than something that has deeper meaning? That offends the eye, not because its "ugly", but because its breaking an unwritten rule that only people who really appreciate watches understand?...Don't take that the wrong way, I Love The Alpha One, and so would you. Its a beautiful watch that I was able to pack a ton of quality into for a low entry price point, just $250 shipped in the US right now. We have 3 layers of QC planned to ensure the highest level of build quality, and a 7 year warranty that will be transferable and supported internationally.

There are 5 more models using the Lugless "Alpha" case design planned (if you don't like lugless just bear with me). Everything from layered dials, tritium tubes, custom hand sets, knurled bezels, sawtooth bezels, sapphire inserts and a plethora or color options to boot will come in time (more than likely most will be limited quality Items). For the lugged fans, I'm working on a case adapter that will make the alpha appear to be lugged, just insert a spring bar and you're set (This is actually the only way to get a steel bracelet to work with the alphas case design)

I hope that may have swayed some of you. Don't be to hard on the Puckmariner, it means you no harm.

[Nomadz]

Kevin

I like the fact that you used the Seiko movement. I like the lugless design. The overtly Sub/DS influence is ok too. There is room out there for a SUB/Tuna derived daily wear watch. The huge and obtrusive, not to say 'busy' looking logo, not so much. Had you had a less Invicta style logo i think you might have got some traction with this. I would also think about a more matt black for a tool watch. Work on (losing) that logo and you might have something. Good luck and welcome to DWC.

[RellekHounds]

Thanks for the welcome.
Funny you mention the logo, it's actually going to change come production.
It's loosing the color and box, Just the RH will stay.

The matte black version is a future color combination on a model that's not so sub influenced.
We wanted to keep this model "classy" hence high gloss Pvd

[andrema]

I actually don't mind it. It is an interesting twist on the typical Rolex homage.

[Nomadz]

Thanks for the welcome.
Funny you mention the logo, it's actually going to change come production.
It's loosing the color and box, Just the RH will stay.

The matte black version is a future color combination on a model that's not so sub influenced.
We wanted to keep this model "classy" hence high gloss Pvd

Sounds like a great plan on the logo. You might think about a 'blackout' dial and logo with this model. It would sell well.

[andrema]

Thank you Tom for posting this. Ill try to right this sinking ship, hopefully I can turn them into believers of the Alpha One, and what I'm hoping to build.

First off let me introduce myself. I'm Kevin, the creator behind Rellek hounds, and the designer behind the Alpha One. I live just outside of Chicago IL and have had a passion for watches even sense my grandfather gave me an old Elgin pocket watch some years ago. I do not pretend to be a watch "Aficionado", merely a WIS that wants to design watches and grow a company.

What makes the Alpha One ridiculous?...Maybe it was intentional?
Maybe, I wanted to build a watch that "shouldn't be built" because the fun in watch collecting is having something unique? Right?
What's more unique than something that has deeper meaning? That offends the eye, not because its "ugly", but because its breaking an unwritten rule that only people who really appreciate watches understand?...Don't take that the wrong way, I Love The Alpha One, and so would you. Its a beautiful watch that I was able to pack a ton of quality into for a low entry price point, just $250 shipped in the US right now. We have 3 layers of QC planned to ensure the highest level of build quality, and a 7 year warranty that will be transferable and supported internationally.

There are 5 more models using the Lugless "Alpha" case design planned (if you don't like lugless just bear with me). Everything from layered dials, tritium tubes, custom hand sets, knurled bezels, sawtooth bezels, sapphire inserts and a plethora or color options to boot will come in time (more than likely most will be limited quality Items). For the lugged fans, I'm working on a case adapter that will make the alpha appear to be lugged, just insert a spring bar and you're set (This is actually the only way to get a steel bracelet to work with the alphas case design)

I hope that may have swayed some of you. Don't be to hard on the Puckmariner, it means you no harm.

You should brush the case, change the grips on the bezel and make sure not to use C3 lume.

[YOHOHO]

Hmmm. I can't stop looking at it. Looking forward to seeing more pics...

[YOHOHO]

Hmmm. I can't stop looking at it. Looking forward to seeing more pics...

[toxicavenger]

The fact of the matters is you are going to get lumped into the Rolex knock-off category, I am sure you are fine with that but most buyers aren't. Because all you did was to chop off the Rolex lugs and add your insignia.

That doesn't mean you won't succeed, but you won't be much different than the rest of them.

[matt.wu]

The fact of the matters is you are going to get lumped into the Rolex knock-off category, I am sure you are fine with that but most buyers aren't. Because all you did was to chop off the Rolex lugs and add your insignia.

That doesn't mean you won't succeed, but you won't be much different than the rest of them.

Accurate and fair.

[RellekHounds]

You should brush the case, change the grips on the bezel and make sure not to use C3 lume.

We're going to have a bead blasted, knurled edge bezel version with a sapphire inlay, sporting Bgw9.

The fact of the matters is you are going to get lumped into the Rolex knock-off category, I am sure you are fine with that but most buyers aren't. Because all you did was to chop off the Rolex lugs and add your insignia.

That doesn't mean you won't succeed, but you won't be much different than the rest of them.

For the time being, and with this specific model that's true. Once the product line starts developing, and more models are introduced the Alpha series should stand as an inclusive product line that fits the needs/wants of many. Only the Alpha One will have the sub styling, the other models in the Alpha series will have different dial designs.

[toxicavenger]

You should brush the case, change the grips on the bezel and make sure not to use C3 lume.

We're going to have a bead blasted, knurled edge bezel version with a sapphire inlay, sporting Bgw9.

The fact of the matters is you are going to get lumped into the Rolex knock-off category, I am sure you are fine with that but most buyers aren't. Because all you did was to chop off the Rolex lugs and add your insignia.

That doesn't mean you won't succeed, but you won't be much different than the rest of them.

For the time being, and with this specific model that's true. Once the product line starts developing, and more models are introduced the Alpha series should stand as an inclusive product line that fits the needs/wants of many. Only the Alpha One will have the sub styling, the other models in the Alpha series will have different dial designs.

So if you have more original designs then why would start off with a copy? Personally you would stand out more with a good original design.

[Nomadz]

You should brush the case, change the grips on the bezel and make sure not to use C3 lume.

We're going to have a bead blasted, knurled edge bezel version with a sapphire inlay, sporting Bgw9.

The fact of the matters is you are going to get lumped into the Rolex knock-off category, I am sure you are fine with that but most buyers aren't. Because all you did was to chop off the Rolex lugs and add your insignia.

That doesn't mean you won't succeed, but you won't be much different than the rest of them.

For the time being, and with this specific model that's true. Once the product line starts developing, and more models are introduced the Alpha series should stand as an inclusive product line that fits the needs/wants of many. Only the Alpha One will have the sub styling, the other models in the Alpha series will have different dial designs.

So if you have more original designs then why would start off with a copy? Personally you would stand out more with a good original design.

I agree with my esteemed Brethren (as usual). Confused as to why you would not just go with your best and most original ideas out of the chute.

[RellekHounds]

So if you have more original designs then why would start off with a copy? Personally you would stand out more with a good original design.

I guess overall cautiousness decided the order of release. Trying to start with crawl, and work our way up to a sprint. It seemed like a safer bet that should allow us to get all of our operating systems in line before things really get moving. If the Alpha One doesn't make it we're going to start prototyping some of the original designs, so at any rate we'll get to them soon. Also, I didn't want to this to be a "one and done" company, I'm trying to play it a little close to my chest to avoid overreaching. I want to take exactly what I can handle right now and learn from it.

[james80]

So if you have more original designs then why would start off with a copy? Personally you would stand out more with a good original design.

I guess overall cautiousness decided the order of release. Trying to start with crawl, and work our way up to a sprint. It seemed like a safer bet that should allow us to get all of our operating systems in line before things really get moving. If the Alpha One doesn't make it we're going to start prototyping some of the original designs, so at any rate we'll get to them soon.

With the assumption being that a copy will be better received and sell better than an original design? I don't agree, I think a simple design would've been better, sure take cues from other watches but not everything.

[andrema]

You should go with a more original design to start and then go with traditional once you have a customer base.

You can't tear anything down that's not built...go in with your best stuff


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dnslater]

While I am not a fan of homages in any form, I have a strong suspicion that homage brands outsell original boutique designs 10:1 so it makes good business sense to go this direction for the brands first watch. For every Halios Laguna or Aegir watch sold, Deep Blue or Steinhart probably sells dozens of sub homages. DWC members are the exception, not the rule and homages don't do well, which is something I love about this place.

I find it strange that you went with a lugless sub clone but left the crown guards. That makes it look imbalanced in my eyes.

Good luck.