The Climb Starts Now — Why Our Backers are Co-Founders
We've told you the story, we've shown you the design, and we've laid out the costs. Now comes the part where we find out if the microbrand world is actually ready for Arima.
We are about to finish the prototypes. We will take them on a tour—show them to enthusiasts, get feedback, and see if people actually connect with our honest, engineered approach. If there's enough interest, we're going to Kickstarter.
It's not just a pre-order system for us. It's a gut check. It's an invitation.
Your Title: Co-Founder. Not Customer.
We are building this brand on our own savings. No investors, no VC money, just two engineers betting everything. If you back us, you are taking that risk with us. You are a co-founder and a co-investor in the truest sense.
Legally, we can't hand out shares. So we created a system to thank the people who put their trust in us first. This isn't a one-time discount; it's lifetime loyalty.
| Co-Founder Tier | Units | Kickstarter Discount | Your Future Purchases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pioneer | First 50 | 20% Off Retail | 20% Off All Future Orders |
| Summit | 51 to 150 | 15% Off Retail | 15% Off All Future Orders |
| Ascent | 151 to 300 | 10% Off Retail | 10% Off All Future Orders |
If you're one of the first 300, that discount is locked in for life. But it's more than that:
- You get a say: You'll be the first to get updates, test our new watches, and have input on future designs.
- Exclusive Access: You'll get limited edition drops reserved for you before they ever hit the public.
The Pricing and The Risk
We are not hiding the ball on cost. We set a 2.5x to 3x markup over our total manufacturing cost. That markup is necessary to cover defects, fulfill the warranty, and ensure we can afford a second model. We don't want to be a ghost brand.
Our retail price ceiling is 800–1,200 CHF/EUR. The Kickstarter price will be a heavy discount on that. Yes, our friends in the U.S. will have to deal with the extra duties, but we will always be upfront about the total cost.
Is it a risk to self-fund? Yes, of course it is. But our story is built on taking risks. Now we need to know if you believe in the risk, the design, and the engineering as much as we do.