Feb 6, 2020
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, February 6, 2020 – The Abingdon Co. is pleased to announce its collaboration with the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) to create and offer a limited edition watch specially designed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of NGPA. 50 pieces have been made and are individually serial numbered on the case back. The custom timepiece will be debuted and available for purchase for $399.00 February 7, 2020 at NGPA’s annual Winter Warm-up event in Palm Springs, California.
“We are excited to partner with The Abingdon Co. to launch an exclusive NGPA 30th anniversary watch to debut at our flagship event in Palm Springs,” said NGPA President David Pettet. “This creative design and affordable cost make this watch a unique and functional heirloom and a great way to benefit NGPA as 100% of the sale of each watch will benefit member programs and advocacy,” Pettet concluded. Sales of all 50 watches will be available at the event in Palm Springs and through NGPA’s website at www.ngpa.org/watch.
The three time zone aviation watch is designed as a unisex style which can be worn on the right or left wrist due to the placement of the inner bezel crown at the center of the polished 40mm stainless steel case. The letters “N, G, P, A” replace the first four numbers on a dark blue dial, and a 20mm genuine leather strap is attached via The Abingdon Co.’s standard EZ Release pins. Each watch also features a specialty custom case back and buckle with the NGPA logo. For the dual-time function, the Swiss Ronda 505.24H movement was chosen for its reliability and ease of use. Durability features include a sapphire crystal, C5 SuperLuminova coating for night visibility, and 100 Meter (330 ft.) water resistance. The watch comes in a white wooden box with the NGPA 30 Year Anniversary logo on the top and is wrapped around a blue felt pillow.
Detailed specifications can be found at www.ngpa.org/watch.
“A well-made watch can be built to pay tribute to a moment in time that is extraordinary,” Abingdon Mullin, CEO of The Abingdon Co. says. “It can be worn daily to remind oneself that they are part of a team, a family. When the time is right, it can be passed on to future generations to teach them of the milestones accomplished by those before them. The NGPA 30 year anniversary watch is designed to withstand the test of time for each of its 50 owners.”
The year-long collaboration began during a casual conversation between Abingdon and several members of NGPA at the 2019 Winter Warm-up opening social party. Abingdon, a strong ally for the organization, offered to propose a custom watch design to help the NGPA commemorate thirty years. After the design was approved, NGPA proposed the concept in an electronic survey to their 4000 member list in order to gauge interest. The concept of the commemorative watch and its design was received well and the project began. “Collaborating with NGPA has been an absolute joy,” says Abingdon. “You would think they were all well-paid top level employees, and when you realize that everyone is volunteering their time to make this project succeed, you see how much love each board member has for their organization. Designing a custom watch with an outside organization can sometimes present challenges, but with NGPA, it has been positive, fun and easy the entire process.”
The 30 Year Limited Edition Watch is currently available for purchase on www.ngpa.org/watch for $399 (additional $30 for choosing a specific serial number) and will also be available to buy in person at the NGPA Winter Warm-Up event in Palm Springs, California. The event is sold out.
