Italian Ices

This watch is all about nostalgia. 

♥ Heritage
The Italian Ices Automatic Watch is inspired by a heritage Welsbro piece from the 1940s (see above). The vintage "bullseye" Welsbro had a beautiful (and unusual for the time) colorway of copper and tan with bold radium filled Arabic numerals. We're stoked to reimagine one of our favorite vintage Welsbros.

Our version, Italian Ices, remains very much in the image of its predecessor — with a few modern updates. Hand-assembled in Japan, our watchmaker has introduced a larger stainless steel case, a brighter color scheme and an updated "roof" logo. Also included: "papers" artwork by illustrator Oscar Bastidas and two fresh handmade straps from Italy.

But it's not all new. In keeping with the nostalgic theme, Italian Ices is made with a vintage France Ebauches 4612 movement circa 1975. It is famously the same movement to power up the Heuer ref. 844. Pretty cool that this watch contains a physical piece of history.

♥  Hometown
You might be thinking, What's with the name, Italian Ices?! This watch collection is rooted in nostalgia for our hometown, STATEN ISLAND. Rich (co-founder of Welsbro) proudly grew up in the North Shore. This watch lovingly honors the island's famous cuisine — where Italian Ices are legendary. When enjoyed with a tiny wooden spoon on a swampy summer night, this frozen treat alone is worth the ferry ride. Trust.

ᕯ Type: Three hand automatic
ᕯ Functions: Time (hours, minutes and center seconds)

🍪 Movement: Vintage France Ebauches (FE) 4612 circa 1975. 17 jewels. Day and date have been removed to make a time only watch.
🍭 Case: Highest quality all brushed case. Radially brushed lugs. Vertically brushed case sides. Screw down brushed caseback with engraved Welsbro roof logo and text "Do Not Eat This Watch." (Seriously, don't eat it). 
🍭 Dial: Electric blue with light gray inner chapter. Applied yellow luminova Arabic numerals in a replica 1940s typeface. Outer printed 1/5ths of a second scale. Applied light gray Welsbro roof logo. Ribbed texture center dial area. "Hand Assembled in Japan" printed below 6 o'clock.
🍫 Hands: Made by our watchmaker, Kenkichi Kumada. Painted silver.
🍭 Crystal: Glassbox domed sapphire crystal with inner anti-reflective coating.
🍫 Crown: Unsigned pressure fit non-screw down crown with two positions. A note: the movement had its date functionality removed so position one doesn't have any function or clicks. Position two sets the time.  
🍭 Bezel: Fixed brushed bezel
🧁 Strap (primary): Handmade Slushie Strap in powder blue
🧁 Strap (bonus): Handmade cowhide leather strap with a "boar-like" print. Ivory color with powder blue stitching.
🍩 Box: Included. Designed by Oscar Bastidas.
🍩 Papers: Included. Designed by Oscar Bastidas.
🍭 Strap change tool: Included

🍫  Made in Japan │ 🍪  Made in France │ 🍭  Made in China │ 🧁  Made in Italy │ 🍩  Made in the U.S.

ᕯ Diameter (without crown): 39mm
ᕯ Diameter (with crown): 42mm
ᕯ Diameter (lug to lug): 46mm
ᕯ Height: 12.6mm
ᕯ Lug width: 19mm
ᕯ Buckle width: 16mm
ᕯ Weight: 70.8 grams
ᕯ Water-resistance: 30 meters