It's Christmas time and the beginning of a new shred season. Everyone is super busy with all the last-minute shopping and trying to squeeze a few turns in. Basically we all wish there were more hours in the day. Are you one of these people who constantly check your phone or bothering old ladies in the streets for time? Well, now all your worries could be over. Our homie Patrick "Brusti" Armbruster is the ambassador of an exciting new brand called hOme watches. Since it's Christmas and Santa is on the hOme North Pole flow team, he has decided to give one lucky kid the opportunity to win a brand new black G-Class watch. But only if you have been a good boy or girl and leave plenty of milk and cookies out for the fat man. A few carrots for his reindeer wouldn't hurt as well. Read on to find out how to win and learn more about the new Swiss watch brand that is going to take over the shred world.
Hey Brusti, what’s up and how are you doing today?
Thanks for checking in, I’m doing great and just returning from my semi-vacation in Brazil.
Nice. What's up with hOme, how are you involved with them?
hOme is a new watch brand from Switzerland. All the people involved have a long history in snowboarding. I met Eddy and Jacques Dousse (two of the original founders) a few years ago and was instantly convinced by their ideas and visions. After they sensed my interest I was offered to be an ambassador for the company, as well as helping on several other aspects, like building a team and structuring the marketing campaign. Getting Gigi Rüf on board was the first big move. At hOme I can bring in a lot of my experience that I gathered in all my years in the snowboard industry.
How do you combine working with Absinthe and hOme, or are you a big boss man who let’s people work for you?
Absinthe Films is still my daily work and keeps me more than busy. I need new challenges that inspire me, that keep me going. Being organized is key for both companies. By the way, I was one of the founding members of Method Mag print magazine, close to 10 years ago!
How did hOme get its start?
hOme has actually existed as a brand for 6 or 7 years now, it was a side project for Eddy and Jacques during their studies, together with their third partner Steve Harris, who owns the Circle Snowboard Store in Whistler. They were already producing shirts, hats and accessories. Every once in a while you would see ads show up in some magazines or shots of celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Carlos Santana, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee wearing hOme products. In 2007 the three of them decided to bring their label to the next level by focusing on one of Switzerland’s most credible and biggest export products – watches.
What do you look for when it comes to watches and what did you think was missing?
A product that I can relate to, with good design, true Swiss quality and just as important – affordable.
Who’s involved and do you guys already have a team promoting the watches?
The three main founders, Eddy, Jacques and Steve, as well as two investors, Gigi and myself. The team consists of Gigi Rüf, Mark Sollors, Robyn Taylor and myself so far, although the focus is definitely on the athletes. We are also in talks with one more snowboarder right now, as well as the first surfer. But the idea is to also have individuals from unexpected corners outside of the boardsports industry to be part of it. hOme comes from boardsports but the aim is more broad.
What would be the key reason for someone to buy a hOme watch?
If you are a person that demands style and quality combined with a good-looking, new brand that also tells a story, then you are welcome at hOme.
Is eco-friendliness also involved or is it just a watch, period?
Eco-friendliness simply equals common sense for us. It’s been part of the process since day one. In our designs and in our daily lives we do as much as we can. We designed a durable product with easily changeable parts and noble materials, we try our best to avoid plastic and mixed materials in our packaging and recycle pretty much anything you can think of. That said, we live in a key transitional period, and making products remains a compromise.
Will there be an awesome product launch with a wild party?
As boring as this may sound, we are putting all resources into the new products and getting them to where we want them, but I’m sure at some point in 2012 there will be a party on the schedule.
When will the watches arrive in stores and is there an online store?
The first watches have been shipped to stores. Check our website: www.whereishome.com for more information on where you can find your new watches.
Any last words?
Thanks for the interview, guys!
To WIN a badass all black G-Class hOme watch you just need to answer this simple question:
What is the name of hOme's lovely secretary?
(Hint: She is Swedish and on their website. www.whereishome.com)
Send your answers to [email protected]. Winner will be announced next Wednesday, December 21st. Just in time for Christmas!! 
Interview by Edgar Lanting