Kobold Globetrotter

The Kobold Globetrotter is powered by an automatic-winding movement, the Forester F. 197. This movement was created in 1970 and at the time was the slimmest German-made mechanical movement.  The movement is new old stock (NOS) and has never been used in a finished watch. 

The Kobold Globetrotter case was designed by Gerd-R. Lang and used in his iconic Orea collection of timepieces. The refined design queues and proportions of the Globetrotter case, combined with the classic display offered by the F,197 movement make the Kobold Globetrotter an ideal dress watch when worn on a leather strap. When worn on the Original Kobold Canvas Strap, the Globetrotter is the perfect companion for every day. Its luminous hour markers and hands are extremely bright thanks to the Swiss Made SuperLuminova compound. 

Following the passing of its founding father, master watchmaker Gerd-R. Lang, Kobold secured Mr. Lang's archive and case making tools, as well as a large quantity of vintage cases and movements from the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s and 1970s. To honor Mr. Lang and his significant contribution to the field of horology, Kobold is releasing a number of limited edition watches he envisioned but never completed or designed but did not bring to market. 

The Kobold Globetrotter is available to existing Kobold Watch customers at only $425 and ships in March 2026. How can we afford to do this? In 204, Kobold acquired over 4,000 Forster movements. These movements have not been utilised except in rare circumstances, for example in the Kobold Spirit of America Automatic released in 2008. As a result, these movements have been fully depreciated. In 2024, Kobold acquired over 10,000 movements that are even more coveted and rare than the F.197. Finally, in 2026, Kobold endeavors to acquire its new manufacturing facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - home of the Kobold line of watches. So what better way to fundraise than to blow out 4,000+ Globetrotters at a mind-blowing $425? 

The Globetrotter arrives on Kobold's Original Canvas Expedition Strap.

The watch is covered by a 10-year warranty against material defects and inferior workmanship.

Specifications:

Case:

• Original Gerd-R. Lang-designed case
• surgical-grade (316L) stainless steel
  
• sapphire crystal, plane (front and back)
• screw-down crown 
• screw-locked caseback
• screw-locked lug bars
• 37mm diameter 
• 14mm height
• 18mm between lugs (strap size)
• water resistant to 3 atmospheres (30 meters/100 feet) 

Movement:

• Foerster F.197 (German Made), automatic winding (New Old Stock, reconditioned)