The World's Greatest Living Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang co-designed the Kobold Polar Surveyor Chronograph.

Kobold launches the Soarway case, designed with Gerd-R. Lang and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The late actor James Gandolfini joined Kobold in 2003. The rest, as they say, is history. James, his extended middle finger pointing in the direction of the camera, featured in an international ad campaigned titled "Even James Gandolfini Thinks Kobold Is Number One." James also designed the iconic Kobold Seal diver's watch.

Legendary photographer Martin Hartley joins Kobold as a brand ambassador and wears a Kobold timepiece on all of his expeditions. Today, Martin is Kobold brand ambassador-in-chief.

Kobold outfits members of an elite unit of the United States Navy SEALs with tactical watches.

Kobold and Burton Morris team up on a series of watches with dials depicting Burton's iconic pop art.

The fastest man alive joins Kobold as a brand ambassador and collaborates on a Kobold chronograph.

Kobold watches appear in hit television series such as Hawaii Five-0, CSI: NY, 24, and films such as The Bourne Supremacy, Mission: Impossible, Life, The Lone Ranger, Dr. Strange and many others. In its 25-year history, Kobold has never paid for product placements.

Ahead of the 2009 Everest Expedition, Michael Kobold -a civilian foreign national- is invited by the U.S. Navy SEALs to undergo physical training at the Coronado, CA base. The training lasts three months.

Michael Kobold and Sir Ranulph Fiennes successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest together. On the summit, Kobold unfurls the flag of the U.S. Navy SEALs. The expedition's fundraising goal of $250,000 in support of the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund is missed completely, with only an estimated $50,000 in proceeds being donated directly to the NSWF by members of the public following the high-profile expedition.

The Kobold connection to Nepal solidifies after Michael Kobold reaches the summit of Mount Everest a second time a row, in an effort to raise additional funds for the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund.

Expedition organizer Russell Brice of Discovery's "Everest" fame becomes a Kobold brand ambassador. Russell's sirdar, Phurba Tashi Sherpa, wears a Kobold on his attempt to break the world record for Everest summits (as documented in the film "Sherpa").

Kobold launches its flagship store in Kathmandu to considerable international media coverage. The inauguration is attended by the Who's Who of Nepal's society, including former royals, diplomats and industrialists, as well as a great many Mount Everest summitteers.

Mountaineer and filmmaker David Breashears joins Kobold as a brand ambassador.

A black year for Kobold with the death of close personal friend and brand ambassador James Gandolfini, who passes away during a father-son trip to Italy. The Gandolfini family and HBO designate Michael Kobold as official spokesperson and as coordinator of the repatriation of James's remains. After officials at the U.S. Embassy in Rome estimate that the repatriation will take 3-12 weeks, Kobold succeeds in coordinating the repatriation within 72 hours.

Kobold launches its in-house case production with 5-axis CNC technology, setting the bar for the renaissance of Made in USA in watchmaking. The four founding fathers of Kobold are in attendance: Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Michael Kobold, Gerd-R. Lang and Professor Jack Roseman.

After the CIA orders a series of custom Kobold watches designed to aid in intelligence gathering fieldwork, the FBI contacts Kobold with a request to develop and manufacture a series of unique spy watches. This watch is fully functional and closely resembles the Kobold Seal. The watch is filled with miniaturized surveillance equipment.

Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli authorizes Michael Kobold to document and publicly expose the secret economic blockade of Nepal during the winter of 2015/16. The blockade is the worst humanitarian disaster in Nepal's history, an act of war ordered by the CIA and executed by the Government of India, whose mission is to effect regime change in Nepal. Oli is the first prime minister in Nepal's history who is backed by China. Kobold successfully exposes the secret blockade As part of this humanitarian work, Kobold discovers evidence of the CIA's hand in the 2001 massacre of Nepal's royal family.

Nepal's ambassador to the United States Dr. Arjun Karki, the Reverend Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse, and Michael Kobold send off the first of several Boeing 747 cargo planes destined for Nepal. MK briefs Franklin Graham ahead of his media appearances to expose the secret blockade. The aircraft are filled with winterization gear to aid the millions of Nepalese living in the high Himalaya who are exposed to the punishing weather conditions. The airlift was organized by Canadian-Nepalese humanitarian Charles Mendies. It became the biggest privately-funded airlift in history.

Marcus Luttrell (of "Lone Survivor" fame), Pete Scobell (former SEAL Team 6 operator), David Goggins, and the family of the late Chris Kyle (of "American Sniper" fame) visit Kobold headquarters in Amish Country north of Pittsburgh, PA to purchase Kobold watches. A huge honor for tiny Kobold.

Two officials at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu warn Michael Kobold of an ongoing counter-intelligence investigation against the entrepreneur. A 6-person DOJ delegation visits Nepal to question all members of the U.S. Embassy community with whom MK has been in contact. Almost every contact is removed from post and MK excluded from official functions. At this point, MK has conducted freelance intelligence assignments for the U.S. Government for several years. At the same time, Kobold Watch operations in the U.S. and Nepal are sabotaged.

Hollywood legend Malcolm McDowell ("A Clockwork Orange") lends his support to Kobold by visiting Nepal for two weeks to film a documentary about the reconnaissance expedition ahead of the Nepal Fire Truck Expedition, a Kobold adventure that was sabotaged by the U.S. Government from its outset. Malcolm McDowell is the only person who is fully briefed on the ongoing sabotage. A most loyal friend, McDowell goes on to continue supporting Kobold to the present day.

Kobold USA and Kobold Nepal operations are severely compromised by ongoing U.S. Government-sponsored sabotage, including theft of property belonging to Kobold Watch, Michael Kobold and individual Kobold customers. Kobold brand ambassadors, including the family of the late actor James Gandolfini, are repeatedly questioned and harassed by U.S. Government agents. "I only have good things to say about you," Leta Gandolfini tells Michael Kobold.

Kobold begins the long road of rebuilding trust by setting up shop in Berlin, Germany. The rebuilding process includes replacing every customer's watch that was stolen during the years of sabotage of Kobold USA and Kobold Nepal. Meanwhile, the U.S. Government continues to sabotage Kobold by dissuading customers from purchasing Kobold products.

Kobold launches a number of new watch models, rebuilding trust with key customers in the process. The sabotage efforts continue, meanwhile, true to the tale of David vs. Goliath. Only this time, David wins!

Against all odds, Kobold successfully completes the Nepal Fire Truck Expedition, by driving from Berlin to Kathmandu. This expedition was originally set to depart in 2014 and included James Gandolfini. After James's passing, Malcolm McDowell agreed to take Jim's place. This version of the expedition, slated for 2015/16, was thwarted by the U.S. ambassador to Nepal, who personally intervened at the highest political levels, including Nepal's deputy prime minister and foreign minister. In 2013, the same ambassador sparked the counter-intelligence investigation that led to the subsequent sabotage of Kobold's operations.

Kobold Berlin's watch workshop is looted. Over 50 watches, as well as countless dials, movements and cases are stolen by unknown thieves who leave no sign of entry. Fortunately, Kobold USA's Keith Filbert visited the Berlin location shortly before the break-in and gives a statement to a German state police officer.

Kobold launches the world's first skeletonized chronograph in a lightweight aerospace-grade titanium case. Kobold is the first watch company in the world to offer a polished titanium watch case. The Phantom SL Chronograph becomes an instant success. "SL" stands for SuperLight.

Michael Kobold announces that once the second fire truck reaches Nepal, he will begin exposing U.S. national secrets, including the CIA's hand in the 2001 massacre of Nepal's royal family, the 2015/16 blockade of Nepal, as well as a U.S. ambassador who traded visas in exchange for sex with Tibetan refugees. It was this ambassador -a rival of another U.S. ambassador who became a mentor to MK- who originally launched the counter-intelligence investigation against MK.

Kobold organizes the second Nepal Fire Truck Expedition, setting off against all possible odds from Germany in October. The U.S. Government continues its sabotage operations by attempting to dissuade every single one of the expedition's members, including National Geographic photographer Thomas L. Kelly, Kobold ambassdor-in-chief Martin Hartley, model Merle Heinemann, photographer Drilon Mehmedi and others from partaking in the adventure. U.S. agents repeatedly attempt to dissuade the expedition's sponsors.

Kobold launches its new line of watches by using the original 1983 case drawings and tooling dies of the late master watchmaker and Kobold founding father Gerd-R. Lang. The Kobold R.E. Byrd II is priced at $750 to entice Koboldians who are spooked by the years of sabotage to give Kobold another chance. Every watch sold is a small arrow in the direction of the incompetent U.S. Government agents and their failed years-long efforts to stop Kobold.

Michael Kobold's website is removed by the host in the same week that MK plans to start exposing U.S. national secrets pertaining to Nepal on this site, which is filled with long form articles by the author pertaining to his Nepal-related work. MK decides to immediately publish these secrets on the Kobold Watch site, including details of the U.S. Government's sabotage.

After more than two years of research and development, the Kobold Soarway case is unveiled. The first watch with this instantly recognizable case is the Kobold Polar Surveyor Chronograph, the world's first mechanical wristwatch with day/night indicator, GMT-hand, date, and chronograph function. The Polar Surveyor is developed together with explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang.

Actor James Gandolfini and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes star in a series of edgy advertisements featuring their fingers and thumbs. A snap-shot of Gandolfini extending the middle finger is turned into campaign's centerpiece. Eventually, the gesture is affectionally called the "Kobold salute" and becomes a sign of endearment. 

The Kobold Spirit of America is the first Kobold watch assembled in the United States. Radio and television personality Glenn Beck promotes five Kobold Spirit of America watches to raise funds for charity.

Two Pittsburgh institution collaborate on art watches: pop artist Burton Morris and Kobold create a line of watches featuring   either hand-painted or printed versions of Burton's iconic images.

The first "American watch" in almost 40 years! The Kobold Spirit of America Automatic features the first 100% U.S.-made watch case since the seizure of Hamilton Watch Co.'s operations in 1969. The first Kobold watch with its dial marked  "Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

In 2009, Kobold founder Michael Kobold accompanies Kobold ambassador Sir Ranulph Fiennes to the summit of Mount Everest. Both men wear Kobold watches. Ten meters below the summit, Michael collects a number of rocks, which are later turned into watch dials.

In 2010, Michael Kobold and wife, Anita, return to the summit of Mount Everest. For the second time, they unfold a flag depicting the U.S. Navy SEAL trident on the summit. Both expeditions were undertaken to raise awareness of and public donations for the Navy SEAL Warrior Fund (today called Navy SEAL Foundation).

The Kobold Himalaya Everest Edition, the world's first watch with a dial made from Mount Everest summit rock, is unveiled as part of the opening ceremony of a new Kobold workshop and flagship store in Kathmandu, Nepal. The company is co-owned by two Sherpa mountain guides who accompanied Anita and Michael Kobold, as well as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, on their respective 2008, 2009 and 2010 expeditions to Mount Everest.

All four Kobold founding fathers -Carnegie Mellon University Professor Jack Roseman, master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Michael Kobold- inaugurate the company's purpose-built headquarters. The four men pay tribute the late Kobold brand ambassador, actor James Gandolfini, by extending the Kobold salute. Located in Amish Country in northwestern Pennsylvania, Merry Oaks Farm features a separate building housing the company's CNC fabrication shop. 

Intent on delivering much-needed fire engines to Nepal, Michael Kobold heads to Kathmandu to sign official paperwork clearing the vehicles through Nepalese customs. The plan is for a group of celebrities to then drive these vehicles through Nepal. The project is hampered as Nepal is suffering under a secret economic blockade by neighboring India.

During the previous two years, Kobold has undergone a period of intense turbulence following the delayed implementation of its in-house watch case-making operation, as well as due to the effects of an industry-wide crisis. Observers call this "the worst crisis in the watch industry's history." At the same time, India's secret economic blockade of Nepal is causing the worst humanitarian crisis in the country's history. Nepal's Prime Minister K.P. Oli entrusts Michael Kobold with publicly exposing India's embargo. Michael has a difficult judgement call to make: save his ailing company or help the people of Nepal in their greatest hour of need.

(Pictured: Nepal Ambassador Dr. Arjun Karki and Michael Kobold in the prime minister's residence at Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal.) 

Following the discovery of internal sabotage by former Kobold employees, Michael Kobold contacts the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Subsequently, organized crime detectives raid the homes of ex-employees and seize watches, components, tools and machinery valued in excess of $300,000 at cost. 

Faced with the effects of years-long internal sabotage by employees intent on running their own customization and repair business following the company's eventual demise, Michael Kobold -on the eve of his brand's 20th anniversary- has to face the prospect of shutting down Kobold once all customers affected by the sabotage receive their watches. 

In 2019, the long process of rebuilding the Kobold brand begins. In addition to continuing the process of returning previously stolen, recovered watches to their respective owners, the company announces several new collaborations, including with members of the U.S. Submarine Service. Kobold also unveils a watch that has been in the works since 2015: the Richard Byrd. 

The person who was the inspiration behind Kobold watches lived on her own terms: By embracing adventure.

Despite the pandemic, Kobold returns to greatness by introducing five new watch models, including a special James Gandolfini commemorative edition of the iconic Seal.

Kobold organised the adventure of a lifetime: 12,000 kilometers overland from Berlin to Kathmandu in a fire truck! Discover more: Nepal Fire Truck Expedition

James Gandolfini, the late actor and Kobold brand ambassador, created the original Kobold Seal, a watch to match his hefty wrist. In 2023, Kobold introduced the Kobold Seal Monobloc. Learn more.

Kobold celebrates a quarter century of embracing adventure by presenting a new line of watches that pays homage to Kobold founding father and master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang, as well as by launching the second Nepal Fire Truck Expedition.

Kobold continues to pay tribute to the late master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang by unveiling a new timepiece with Lang's iconic case.