Alumni create signature CSB/SJU timepieces

Since gearing up and entering the market last year, the St. John’s alumni-run company Legacy LLC has gone on to expand their offering of commemorative watch designs as well as increase their customization options.

The co-founders, Conner Wagner and Max Martin, set out to come up with a different kind of graduation memorabilia with more longevity than other options like rings or bracelets. The result is a line of high-end mechanical watches celebrating the most iconic experiences the CSB/SJU campuses have to offer.

In addition to the Johnnie and SJU Quartz watches, they have recently created the Bennie and CSB Quartz designs for St. Ben’s alumnae to commemorate their experience with the school as well. Their offering of products also includes increased customization options, engraving and selection of leather watch bands in a variety of colors. Legacy watches are now available in the CSB/SJU bookstores.

In order to encapsulate the best of the CSB/SJU experience in their watches, Martin and Wagner met with groups of Johnnie and Bennie alumni to help them decide which campus features best de- serve to be incorporated into the finished products. In the process, they have created designs encapsulating St. John’s signature honeycomb pattern, the Benedictine cross, the arboretum, Gorecki Dining Center, St. Mary’s Chapel, and the name of “Bennie” that CSB students identify with so much.

To make these custom pieces to the quality level Martin and Wagner envisioned, they collaborate with the Toronto-based company Wilk Watchworks. Everything from the fine mechanics of the watches to the hand-painted dials is personally crafted by owner Scott Wilk.

“[Scott] does an amazing job and is extremely accommodating,” Martin said about their business partner.

In addition to commemorating the time students spend at CSB/SJU, the duo make a point of sharing their gratitude toward CSB/SJU by continuing to stay involved and give back. Legacy LLC commits 10% of its profits directly toward student scholarship funds, and they delivered their first annual donation last month. They have also sponsored several events on campus, including Red Talks and two holes at the St. John’s golf fundraiser.

While Martin and Wagner were originally inspired by CSB/SJU, they plan to eventually offer signature timepieces to other colleges looking to commemorate their graduates. But for now, they plan to keep serving the colleges that made it all happen for them by connecting with students as well as participating in more on-campus events to benefit CSB/SJU.