Skip to main content

Kapten & Son Set to Make First Major Splash in America with PURE

Kapten & Son
In less than three years, CEO Artjem Weissbeck and his team at Kapten & Son started a watch brand and turned it into one of the fastest-growing timepiece brands outside the United States.

Kapten & Son

The Germany-based company has risen through the ranks on the backs of a few key dial designs with a number of interchangeable bands. For now, all of their products are under $200 and reflect a quality many other brands in the same price category don’t have.

Related Videos

We caught up with Weissbeck fresh off of last week’s launch of their PURE line. The decidedly design-focused lineup of two $99 watches (one black, one white) reflects a change in tone for the young brand, while signaling their approach for 2017 and beyond.

The PURE line is built on this idea of “less, but better.” Where did the inspiration for that idea come from?

We were really inspired by Dieter Rams (former lead designer at Braun and a giant in the design world). His biggest guideline is “good design is as little design as possible.” We also wanted to design a watch that we would like and our friends would like. First, the watch had to be easy to read. Second, it had to be a reflection of the urban, tech-centered lifestyle and lastly, keep Kapten’s DNA – the Roman 12 and 6 numerals (featured on all of their dials). Overall, we got a little bit older, wiser and with new tastes (from our first collection). We wanted to build the next iconic watch. As Germans, our principles of design reflect quality, functionality and simplicity.

Kapten & Son

Influencer marketing and social media are a big part of K&S. Who is the influencer you see PURE appealing to the most?

Ultimately, we dedicated the watch to the modern creatives that are kind of taking over big cities these days. [We’re appealing to] those that care about design and visuals. Because there’s a lot of stuff out there without much thinking, we’re showing there was plenty of thought put behind this watch.

Normally, our innovation timeline is 3-6 months, but it took us close to a year to bring PURE to life. We wanted to build a watch that could bring us, again, an iconic piece, something like some of the early Swatches. We’re really happy with the result.

What is the connection specifically with PURE that you want to create with new and returning Kapten buyers?

Our brand is always about the journey. When we think about the journey, we kept connecting it with traveling – visualizing beaches and the world. We wanted to add a slightly older demographic to our buyers, while retaining those young wearers as well. PURE is for the watch buyer who is a little bit older and little bit more mindful.

Kapten & Son

After PURE, what’s the next chapter in the Kapten & Son story?

You’ll see that we are innovators. We will drop products like sneaker brands do with colorful, playful and timeless designs that will shout out to the world.

We’re going to shoot to a higher price point too. We’ll maintain great sunglasses (as well as an eventual PURE line), but also head into new categories, K&S will not be a watch brand, but a brand to watch. We want to prove that. We’ll always keep our DNA, but we have a lot of room to play.

You can scope out and purchase Kapten & Son’s PURE line here.

Editors' Recommendations

Cover that Naked Wrist this Spring with New Watches from Jack Mason
Jack Mason

At this year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter, accessories brand Jack Mason made our Best of Show list for their variety of handsome watches and wallets at an affordable price point. (They also received bonus points for their sweet Airstream trailer.)

In just three years, the Texas-based company has grown to be a top-selling brand in Nordstrom stores and they also hold licenses for NFL and NCAA accessories. They’ve just launched a spring collection to complement their existing lineup of watches and gift items.

Read more
Kai D. Makes and Sells Keepsake Clothing
Kai D.

After gaining experience at such well-known brands as Nautica, menswear designer Kai D. Fan launched his eponymous small-batch locally made collection Kai D. at his own pop-up store in lower Manhattan in November 2009. He has since relocated the store to Williamsburg, Brooklyn where he continues to offer the house brand, which combines timeless artisanal looks made with high-quality imported fabrics, and a variety of clothes, accessories, and other items from outside labels that he personally chooses.

This somewhat inexplicably under-the-radar designer/retailer caught up with me at his impressive and inviting store last week where he stressed the appeal and importance of his “slow fashion” sartorial assortment – one that is definitely worth your time and money to shop.

Read more
Make shopping easy: The best gifts for men (no matter what he’s into)
These are the best gifts for men in 2023

Shopping for the best gifts for men can at times seem like a daunting task, whether it be for a birthday, an anniversary, or any gift in between. So, we decided to help you out and lend you a hand and make gift-giving a little less stressful with a thoughtfully curated list of tried-and-true gifts suited for men. And at times, no matter how well or how long you have known someone, you just don't know where to look.

From small everyday carry items and others from the cool tech world to experiences that help you disconnect to reconnect, we offer you a gift guide for every guy on your list or some nice ways to treat yourself, too. Ahead, you will find a list of the best practical gifts for every type of guy. With that being said, here are the best gifts for men in 2023.

Read more