Customisation
Four surfaces.
Used sparingly.
A branded watch fails when it looks branded. The approach here is restraint: the mark appears twice, both times small, and everything else is left as a well-made steel watch. Below is what can be changed, and how a run actually gets made.
01
The dial
The Datum mark printed at six o'clock, small and in a single tone. This is the most visible placement and the one that needs the lightest hand — the dial should still read as a watch, not a business card.
02
The caseback
Laser-engraved into the brushed steel: company name, 'Est. 1973', and optionally a recipient name, a piece number, or a project or anniversary line. Permanent, and invisible until the watch comes off.
03
Colour
Dial and bezel colour can be matched to Datum's own palette rather than the standard NSB finishes. We work from a supplied hex or Pantone reference and send a physical dial sample before production.
04
Packaging
A rigid presentation box with a foil-blocked lid, suede pillow, and a printed card carrying whatever message accompanies the gift. Boxes can be shipped assembled or flat for local packing.
The process
Brief to delivery.
- 01BriefQuantity, recipients, delivery date, and the artwork files. One short conversation is usually enough.
- 02ProofDigital renders of the dial, caseback engraving, and box within about a week. Revised until approved.
- 03SampleOne physical piece produced and shipped for sign-off before the run is committed.
- 04ProductionThe run is manufactured, assembled, timed and individually inspected.
- 05DeliveryShipped to Hong Kong, Sydney, or direct to each recipient with individual cards.
Lead time for a first run is typically measured in months rather than weeks, driven mostly by the sample approval step. Repeat runs of an approved design are considerably faster. Exact timings are confirmed in writing with the quote.