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 — Flagship chronograph featuring the proprietary Soarway case, designed for expedition use and featured in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.
- Soarway Diver Seal — 1,000-metre dive watch co-designed with actor James Gandolfini, combining extreme water resistance with bold aesthetics.
- Spirit of America — First Kobold watch assembled in the USA with an American-made case, symbolising the brand's commitment to bringing watchmaking back to America.
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.