There is the world before you see a Mark Gold Gamechanger, and there is the world after. There is nothing subtle about this timepiece, and wearing one is surely a real statement to the world around you.
Lets put this watch into perspective, each Gamechanger is handmade to order from personalised choices of materials and colours, they are literally made ‘One by One’ and are bespoke.
It has a custom Swiss GMT movement that is encapsulated in a patented, fully submersible, 6mm titanium ti5 pod which protects the heart of the watch. The way that the watch is constructed allows it to be submersed to depths of up to 3000 meters. (you did read that correctly)
The man behind the brand is ‘Mark Gold’. Mark spent 30 years designing and producing diamond jewellery and other pieces for the luxury world, winning several prestigious awards along the way.
Mark then started the Ideas Lab, a new chapter in his life. The Lab is a space dedicated to the conceptualisation, design and development of product for a contemporary luxury world.
After two years of development with a Swiss watch company, the Gamechanger was the first product to be launched towards the contemporary luxury market.
I caught up with Mark and asked him a few questions about the Gamechanger.
When did you first make the gamechanger?
I started the conceptualisation work during the early part of 2015 and that consisted of creating a look and concept that was not yet out there with logical and functional characteristics.
How long did it take to develop?
I read somewhere during the early part of the conceptualisation phase that it takes two years to develop a watch if you start such a project from scratch and I couldn’t believe it, however thats about how long it took.
How did you start designing a 3000M watch, and how did / do you test it?
The basic concept of the watch is such that the buyer can specify how they want a watch built for themselves, much in the same way as he or she would specify their new luxury or sports car. This concept is built around a patented titanium pod concept. The technical experts that we work with in Switzerland calculated that the pod concept was strong enough to allow a 3000m capability if there was a helium valve and so we built one in. Each watch is pressure tested for eight hours to confirm this.
How did you choose your movement?
We researched the movement options quite extensively and went with one that was rated by several online experts as equivalent to Rolex and that has now been adapted to our needs.
How long does it take to get one made for a customer, what is the process for ordering?
At this stage we have about a five month waiting list and they are only available online through us. The reaction is great and demand is there. As we grow into the business we hope to be able to supply exclusive stores in select areas.
What options are available for a customer?
The options available are plentiful and are mainly in the area of material choices (18ct rose gold, 18ct yellow gold, titanium, in-house developed coloured superalloys, carbon fibre etc) and colour options relating to hands, dials and inlays.
How many do you make a year?
The brand has been positioned as a Premium micro-brand and at this stage we are on track for 180 pieces for the year.
Specifications:
Normally I can list the specs and they are the same, but in this situation the option is to list the specification on one watch, there are more specs of other watches on Marks website (links below)
CASE MATERIAL – SUPERALLOY M6 NATURAL
BEZEL MATERIAL – PURE TITANIUM Ti2
INNER DIAL – WHITE
STRAP & BUCKLE – BLACK RUBBER WITH SUPERALLOY M6
CROWN & INLAY – Ti2 – BLACK
MOVEMENT TECHNICAL DATA – SWISS MADE CALIBRE – REFERENCE M348
MOVEMENT FUNCTION
- AUTOMATIC WITH 24 HOUR GMT
- SELF CORRECTING DATE FUNCTION
- 40 HOUR POWER RESERVE
- 28 800 BPH
TECHNICAL FEATURES
- SUBMERSIBLE TITANIUM POD CONCEPT
- 3000M
- HELIUM VALVE
- LOCKING FEATURE ON A BI-DIRECTIONAL BEZEL
- 01/18
Conclusion:
Mark’s watches are individual, distinctive, eye catching, serious, and overall unforgettable. They are pitched at a very specific market sector which few of us may even understand, but Mark has worked and excelled within this market for 30 years, he does understand it, and has brought a product to market that will surely make itself known.
I dream of the day when someone might say “Is that a Dan Hodge?” whilst looking at a watch on someones wrist.
I imagine Mark has heard many times already “Is that a Mark Gold?”
Links:
Cumbria Watch Repair 