VISSER
By Gary Girdvainis
Reel Inspiration
FORM & FUNCTION
CROSS CHANNELS
R
OBERT KOELEWYN MAY NOT BE A HOUSEHOLD name engineering that can also imbue character into their functional facade.
– or even a recognized watchmaker among the cogno- Beyond pure purpose, both add an aesthetic designed to make the par-
scenti, but in certain fishing holes around the world, Robert ticular type stand out. Koelewyn’s own style enhances the machined-
Koelewyn is a known man. Canny fishermen appreciate his custom- for-purpose look into an iconic and aggressive series of slots, bevels
designed reels for all manner of fishing as evoked within the commer- and drilled patterns. These design elements have converted perfectly
cial series of Van Staal, Zeebaas and 3-Tand reels. All are designed by to an affordable and immediately recognizable series of mechanical
his hand. watches that marries reel design into an expressive wristwatch.
As watches once were, fishing reels remain a functional bit of
62 | AboutTime Magazine
Sold under the brand name Visser (Dutch for Fisherman), the