The Singapore-based Boldr Supply Company has carved out an enviable position in the watch market in a relatively short period, selling rugged, high-spec, adventurous watches with a unique design flair. Offering state-of-the-art field watches like the Venture, dedicated field medical watches and professional deep-sea dive models such as the Odyssey, Boldr creates products that thrive in the harshest environments. With watches ranging from £299 to £899, all budgets can assess serious choices without compromise. Every watch shares common design characteristics, which are guaranteed technically capable. WatchGecko is delighted to announce that, as of 2024, we are the exclusive partner for Boldr in the UK.
Boldr's Brand History
Boldr Venture - Credit WatchGecko
We have to go back to 2015 to see the birth of The Boldr Supply Company. The inception team created an outdoor-friendly ‘clever watch’ on Kickstarter called the BOLDR Voyage. Back in those early days, smartwatches had low-durability batteries and Leon Leong, the founder and still driving force of the company, was determined to create a watch that could survive a full day in the outdoors. The only way to achieve this was by utilising a traditional analogue watch battery.
Leon would be the first to admit that the Voyage had a rocky route with as many highs and lows as you would expect to find during any great overland expedition. Despite setbacks, the team must be commended as they stuck it out. Travelling full circle, today we find BOLDR, a respected outdoor tool watch company with an impressive collection of innovative and capable dive, field and adventure watches.
Boldr Odyssey The Black Dragonfish - Credit WatchGecko
Boldr Throughout the Years
2015: Kickstarter Campaign
In 2015 Leon launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop the Voyage – a smartwatch with a sandwich dial and LED technology that was later withdrawn in favour of more conventional watches.
2016: Collaborations with Designers to Improve
After the development of Voyage being suspended, Leon starts to work with global artists from far-flung locations such as Malaysia, Australia and the USA to create a style that would be unique and have longevity. Specific attention was given to designs featuring simple angular lugs, case shapes with straight edges, specialist rotors, and case back artwork.
2017: Brand Ambassadors test Samples
2017 was the year of collaborations and Boldr recruited brand ambassadors to test the newest Boldr models. This included adventurers such as Daniel Wells, a Baja 1000 desert rally driver, and Lim Anqi, a world-renowned freediver.
2019: First Model is Released
The first Boldr model is released: the Expedition.
Expedition - Credit Boldr
2020: Two New Models Developed
Following the success of the Expedition, Boldr release the Venture Field Medic and Odyssey Freediver.
2021: Collaborations with Various Companies/ Artists
In 2021 we see lots of collaborations for Boldr, such as the BOLDR x Kenji Chai, BOLDR x Art Story by Autistic Thai, the Pink Fighter Project by BOLDR and BOLDR x Five in a row.
We also see the Odyssey collection expanded with the launch of a Bronze version, as well as a revamped Freediver and a new model called the Regatta.
2022: Endless Releases for Boldr
Where do we even start with 2022?
Boldr had release after release this year and we loved every second of it!
To start the year off Boldr collaborated with Nitecore to create the First-Ever Watch + Torch Project.
Boldr Odyssey - Credit WatchGecko
We then got treated to an Admiral Blue version of the Odyssey Regatta.
We were worried the Odyssey was going to replace the original Boldr Expedition, but we were happily proved wrong as 2022 saw the release of a brand new, revamped edition which you can read about here.
The biggest release of the year for Boldr was the launch of the Odyssey Freediver GMT.
2023: New Range called Safari
Coming in hot for 2023 we got a brand-new Safari range; a collection of 40mm stainless steel tool watches with a contemporary twist. Presented with custom commissioned artwork on the case back and half-Arabic, half-Roman numeral dial designs set against on-trend, eye-catching colours.
Boldr also released three new models called the Rally SRW, Venture Blue Fuel and Field Medic Lagoon Blue which are covered in detail here.
2024: WatchGecko become Only UK Distributor
This brings us right through to the present, where WatchGecko’s relationship with Boldr has gone from strength to strength as WatchGecko becomes the only UK distributor.
Boldr Enigmath Trio - Credit WatchBrothers
Boldr releases the Expedition Enigmath a trio of watches following the success of the original Expedition. We also get treated with the BOLDR x MGP Ti Odyssey and most recently the Black Dragonfish.
Current Philosophy
Boldr Venture - Credit WatchGecko
Boldr have now fine-tuned their designs to a point where their watches are instantly recognizable and beautifully engineered. The titanium Venture rivals any field watch on the market today and, in a simple "value against spec" calculation, offers far more than watches perceived to be the class leaders. Today, every Boldr watch is designed to bring something unique to the market; a generic concept never leaves the drawing board. This philosophy of course, does not lend itself to a new release every month which is why we see a new Boldr as exciting because you know how much thought has gone into that design process.
The prominent families in the Boldr catalogue cover unique fields of operation and are specifically aimed at professionals, except the safari, which is a more general tool watch.
Boldr Venture - Credit WatchGecko
Technical capability of the highest order is paramount for Boldr under the current management. Each watch has to have a unique design element, whether engraving on the rotor or exhibition display case backs with map contours on the glass. If the watch is inspired by a particular part of the Earth, such as the Rub'Al Khali, the tan colour pantones of the watch will be carefully crafted to reflect, in this case, the Arabian desert.
Boldr has engineered itself into a position where they have the luxury of designing watches without compromise. From inception, Boldrs have been designed to be functional tools of the highest calibre yet accessible within extremely favourable price points. This makes Boldr an obvious choice for those who embrace the more adventurous side of life.
If our history of Boldr Watches has sparked your interest, keep reading for some recommendations which you can source from our store.
- The Boldr Venture is probably one of the best value titanium field watches on the market today.
- The sleek, angular case is unique to Boldr and sets the Venture apart from other field watches.
- The high water resistance rating of 200m is unusual to see in a field watch. Usually these are rated to 100m or less.
- Double-Domed Sapphire Crystal With Anti-Reflective Coating
- 'True' GMT movement that ticks at a formidable 28000 bph
- Quick-release stainless steel bracelet and Druber® strap
