Bespoke Spotlight: VAVA – A Birthday Timepiece for Kostas
We’re beyond excited to share the story behind a truly personal and meaningful build: VAVA – a bespoke watch crafted for Kostas as a special gift for his birthday. This wasn’t just any custom project; it was a vision brought to life with care, creativity, and attention to detail.
From the initial idea to the final finishing touches, we poured our hearts into this piece—and we’re wishing Kostas the very best on his special day and beyond! 🎉
The Concept: Something Personal, Something Special
Kostas reached out with a clear intention: to create a timepiece that would be unique, personal, and stylish—something that could celebrate his journey while fitting seamlessly into everyday wear.
Inspired by timeless design with a modern edge, Kostas envisioned a watch that carried sentimental value. The name VAVA was added to the custom dial, making it a true one-of-one.
The Case & Crystal
We started the build with our 40mm FM-1 case, a versatile choice with elegant lines and balanced proportions. To keep things clean and minimal, we went with a smooth bezel, which beautifully complements the custom dial.
Topping it all off is a flat sapphire crystal, ensuring long-lasting clarity and scratch resistance, while the screw-down crown enhances water resistance for everyday peace of mind.
The Dial: DJ-Inspired with a Custom Twist
The dial takes inspiration from the classic Datejust look—but with a modern, personalized twist. It features lume-filled indices for excellent legibility, along with luminous Mercedes-style hands that glow brilliantly thanks to BGW9 Swiss Super-LumiNova®.
The standout detail? A subtle but striking green lightning bolt seconds hand, a small but impactful touch Kostas wanted to bring in his favorite color. It adds character and energy to the entire build.
Straps: Versatility Built In
Kostas wanted something that could shift between classic and sporty—and we delivered. The watch comes on a brushed 3-link bracelet, offering a timeless, robust look. It also includes a green rubber strap, giving the watch a sportier, more casual vibe when needed.
Switching between both gives two different moods without compromising style.
Exhibition Caseback & Engraving
Flip the watch over and you’ll find an exhibition sapphire caseback, showcasing the NH35 automatic movement in all its mechanical glory.
For added sentiment, we included an extra engraved caseback—a keepsake element that makes this piece even more personal.
Lume Love
One of our favorite parts of this build? The lume.
That BGW9 hits just right—crisp, cool, and bright in the dark. It brings the dial to life at night and adds a subtle wow factor that we can’t get enough of.
Final Thoughts
Projects like VAVA remind us why we do what we do. It’s not just about building watches—it’s about building moments, memories, and stories.
Kostas, thank you for trusting us with this build. We’re honored to be a part of this birthday gift and wish you the absolute best ahead!
Specifications
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Case: 40mm FM-1 (smooth bezel)
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Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal w/ AR coating
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Crown: Screw-down
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Dial: Custom DJ-style (VAVA) dial w/ lumed indices
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Hands: Lumed Merc hands with green lightning seconds hand
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Movement: NH35 automatic
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Caseback: Exhibition sapphire + extra engraved caseback
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Bracelet: 3-link brushed bracelet
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Strap: Green rubber strap
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Lume: BGW9 Super-LumiNova®
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