Watchatlas

KOBOLD

Pittsburgh, USA · Est. 1998

Founded by Michael Kobold

Kobold is an American watch brand founded in 1999 by Michael Kobold in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, initially as a Carnegie Mellon University entrepreneurship project. Known for expedition-grade field and dive watches including the Soarway Seal and Polar Surveyor Chronograph, Kobold has outfitted US Navy SEALs and mounted Everest expeditions.

Founded
1998
Headquarters
Pittsburgh, USA
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Entry
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Phantom — Kobold’s Phantom is part of the brand’s Soarway tool-watch family and is positioned as a rugged chronograph associated with expedition-grade construction, a Soarway case, and the brand’s adventure-first identity. Key references: phantom.
  • Soarway Diver Seal — Extreme 1,000-meter Kobold diver built around the signature Soarway case and the iconic Seal design language, pairing oversized tool-watch proportions with Swiss automatic movement and a rugged, expedition-first character.
  • Spirit of America — Kobold’s American-made milestone watch, originally created to bring watchmaking back to the U.S., combining patriotic provenance with a robust field-watch build and Swiss automatic movement.

Timeline

  • 1998 — Michael Kobold founds Kobold Watch Company, becoming the first watch brand to sell directly over the Internet.
  • 2002 — Release of the Phantom Chronograph featuring the signature Soarway case, co-designed with Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
  • 2005 — Launch of the Soarway Diver Seal, a 1,000m diver designed by James Gandolfini.
  • 2008 — Spirit of America Automatic released — first watch with a US-made case in nearly 40 years.
  • 2009 — Michael Kobold becomes the first watchmaker to summit Mount Everest.

Frequently Asked Questions about KOBOLD

Where are Kobold watches made?
Components are made in Germany and Switzerland, with final assembly at Kobold's atelier in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
What is the Soarway case?
A proprietary case design created by Michael Kobold with explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, built for extreme expedition conditions.

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