Conducted over 12 months, the ORION project concluded with a successful funding initiative in October 2024. Spanning three weeks on the Kickstarter platform, it raised nearly €512,000 in crowdfunding from 470 contributors. This article provides an initial overview of the project's financial outcomes and details the precise allocation of the funds raised.
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
To understand how a Kickstarter initiative operates, it's important to consider the associated fees. These include service fees, declined payments, and collected VAT. As a result, out of the €512,000 pledged during the campaign, only €385,000 was effectively received by Mu:n Projects.
These funds were divided into three main categories. The first and largest portion, representing 75% of the total (€290,000), was allocated to the production of the ORION series, supplier payments, and stock creation. A further €50,000 was earmarked for research and development, primarily focused on the upcoming ARIANE collection. Finally, €45,000 was set aside for operating costs.
A total of 800 ORION models was ordered for production by the end of 2025, of which 500 pieces were pre-reserved through the Kickstarter initiative. The remaining 300 models, also funded by the campaign, will be available for sale starting June 2025.
The production cost of an ORION model, previously disclosed during the campaign, is €630 CHF, with a unit manufacturing cost of €480 CHF. The majority of these costs (64%) are concentrated in Switzerland, covering the caliber and the moon disk's production.
ORION PRODUCTION - COST PER SUPPLIER:
PRODUCTION IN ASIA
The decision to use Shenzhen’s manufacturing hub for specific components is both strategic and common in the watchmaking industry. The region is a recognized leader in producing machined watch parts, offering competitive pricing and consistent quality with minimal human intervention. Advanced cutting and molding technologies are widely accessible and highly efficient, ensuring no compromise in quality. This shift is partly due to the challenges faced by European workshops in modernizing their equipment amidst increasing technological competition. Since the 1990s, Franco-Swiss manufacturers have focused on high-precision parts for small series, emphasizing human expertise and technical innovation.
PRODUCTION IN SWITZERLAND
The Swiss Made label serves two key purposes. Firstly, it ensures high-quality components from historic manufacturers. Sellita, a key partner of Mu:n Projects, guarantees top-tier calibers with customization options for series of 500 pieces. Secondly, the Porrentruy region in Switzerland remains a cornerstone of modern watchmaking. Numerous small workshops (10–30 employees) continuously innovate in both manufacturing methods and materials. These workshops are particularly well-suited for small series (300–1,000 units) and bespoke designs, leveraging state-of-the-art machinery and skilled craftsmanship.
The second major allocation of funds (€50,000) supports research and development efforts for future collections. This includes all costs associated with designing and prototyping new Mu:n series.
The majority of these funds are dedicated to the ARIANE project. Announced in early 2024, it focuses on creating a modular Mu:n caliber based on the Sellita SW-530. Due to its ambitious scope, the project had been paused pending additional funding. Thanks to the ORION campaign, development has resumed with the creation of a custom caliber featuring a redesigned plate to incorporate World Timer, GMT, Chronograph, Date, and Moon Phase functions. This represents a significant investment, currently estimated at €40,000.
ESTIMATED COST OF THE ARIANE PROJECT
Additionally, €10,000 is allocated for future reissues of the ARTÉMIS collection to sustain the ORION and ORIGINE series in the years ahead. Beyond production costs, this funding also supports the development of advanced digital tools to enhance collaborative creation. These tools aim to build on the success of the first Ariane configurator by offering more immersive online design experiences.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CALIBER
Developing a new caliber requires several critical steps. Initial technical studies, including CAD and feasibility analysis, are conducted internally to validate the proposed designs and complications. An initial technical study, carried out by OM MECHANICS for €5,000, refines the design, guides decisions, and establishes unit cost estimates for components.
If approved, the next phase involves creating a functional 3D model of the caliber, plate, and gear trains necessary for the complications, with a budget of €10,000. Finally, two prototypes are produced and tested under various conditions. In small production runs, each prototype costs approximately €2,000.
A smaller portion of the funds (€45,000, or 12% of the total) is allocated to the operational needs of Mu:n Projects for 2025. This includes administrative expenses, office costs, subscriptions, and team expansion. Part of this amount is dedicated to recruitment, including the recent arrival of Marie, a graduate in watchmaking and holder of a DN MADE (National Diploma of Arts and Design Professions). She leads the CAD, 3D modeling, and technical drawings division, ensuring seamless coordination with suppliers.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our community and contributors for their unwavering support. These encouraging results enable us to continue our projects, push forward with new developments, and invest in exciting complications and designs for future collections. The ORION series is now in production, with deliveries expected to begin in May 2025.
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