The first Kobus will be driven by a Swiss manually wound movement — time-only, with a small seconds. The Sellita SW261 has been identified as the most likely base: proven, serviceable almost anywhere, and slim enough to respect the case height we are holding ourselves to.
Leaving out the automatic rotor was not a cost decision. A rotor adds thickness, and it puts a swinging weight between you and the mechanics. Winding the watch by hand is a small, tactile interaction — a few seconds of resistance through the crown, done with intention — and it's the kind of quiet ritual this brand is built around.
There is no date window to interrupt the dial, and no chronometer certificate to chase. The aim is a watch that runs reliably every day, and feels considered every time you pick it up.