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Save 15% For 15 Hours On The 27th Of November At Marcello C. Watches

admin — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:14:19 +0000

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Sales at Marcello C. watches don't come often. Maybe once or twice a year you get an opportunity to own one these already affordable watches at a discount. For those of you waiting to get a Marcello C. watch, a good opportunity has shown itself. Marcello C. watches is celebrating 15 years of watch making; which now makes it an old, young watch company. Though old is good in watch terms, and the exciting, high-value brand keeps delivering solid products that I heartily recommend. There aren't a lot of places to get Marcello C. watches in the US, so going to their US website at Marcello C. watches is your best bet to get a hold of one of these. My choice is their line of diver's watches (See my Marcello C. watch reviews here).

So what kind of deals are 15% off at Marcello C. watches going to get you? Lets take the pictured model which is the Nettuno 3 GMT in black. The watch takes a legendary (to me at least) Marcello C. Nettuno 3, inserts an ETA 2893-2 movement (with a fully independent second timezone GMT hand) and a bi-directional 24 hour rotating bezel. The look is very handsome, and the watch reflects what Marcello C. is best known for, quality, functionality, and superb value. The usual price of the Marcello C. GMT is $1429.00, but with the 15th Anniversary Sale discount, that prices comes down to about $1215.00; a pretty nice deal for what you get.

The terms of the sale are simple. You have 15 hours (12:00am CST to - 3:00pm CST) to cash in on the offer on November 27th. All you need to do is make your order within that time period. Shipping is still extra. Check out Marcello C. for all the Nettuno 3, Tridente, Diavolo, and other fine watch lines they offer. You may not know, but they actually have pretty nice women's watches. Now you have something to do before stuffing yourself at Thanksgiving dinner. Frankly, any day when I order a watch is a good day. The tough part is waiting for it to arrive!

Information on Marcello C. watches' 15th Anniversary Sale.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Discussing DLC: Linde Werdelin Talks About The Hard Black Elemental Watch And Diamond Like Carbon Coating In General

admin — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 11:23:29 +0000

You've probably seen at least something about DLC. You might not know what it is though, and the three letter term might go right past you. That's OK, because DLC is a relatively new addition to a watch maker's arsenal. Speaking with the very knowledgeable people at Linde Werdelin, IÂ recently have a new understanding of DLC, and am excited about Linde Werdelin's future incorporating the special coating on select lines of watches. Be aware that while DLC has many industrial applications, finicky watch makers demand only the highest grade materials and processes.

DLC stands for "Diamond Like Carbon." Which is a bit confusing, as so many things are made from carbon, including diamonds. The idea is simple, diamonds are extremely dense in terms of their carbonic make up, and so is DLC. However diamonds have a crystalline atomic make up, where as DLC is more hexagonal in shape and formation; think of something that look likes. DLC shares a lot of diamond properties, but is simply different in terms of make up and production. This is a very simple explanation of course, so just the basics that I think are best to know are being covered.

DLC is a coating, and not a compound suited for material building, at least as of now (my hopes are that in the future, you'll have an entire watch made out of DLC, not just coated with it). The process of producing DLC requires a 'bond,' or something for it to stick to. Typically, DLC is a thin coating (a few microns thick). The actual process of making and bonding DLC are proprietary techniques which are either trade secrets or patented, depending on who is applying the DLC or making it. Though, universally, the metal to be applied a DLC coating is placed in a special chamber where the DLC coating is literally blasted to the surface of the metal. My understanding is that is not a precision application, so the entire piece of metal placed in the chamber will be coated. Linde Werdelin is particularly proud of their DLC process which is said to be stronger, and of a higher quality than other DLC coatings that you may find. The reason for this is the hydrogen content of the DLC coating. DLC that contains any hydrogen has carbon molecules that are not as close together because of the hydrogen present. A hydrogen free DLC coating (such as used by Linde Werdelin) allows for the carbon to be closer together, and thus the coating overall is harder (rated at about 5000 Hardness Vickers, HV). Really hard!

DLC as applied to watches was first seen on Japanese models, but was quickly adopted by European watch firms that were attracted by the wonder compound. The value in DLC is in its immense durability. One test I read about took a piece of steel that, given a particular type of wear, had a durable life of one week. With a DLC coating, that life was increased to an estimated 85 years. DLC offers at least two types of desirable durability traits. First, is resistance to shock. Meaning that it takes a lot of physical shock to damage, rub off, or dent the DLC coating. Second, is the related concept of scratch resistance; DLC is not only hard, but it is difficult to distort or displace. The natural appearance of a DLC coating is a dark gray, almost black appearance with a slight sheen. To the touch it is very slick (meaning it is also highly water resistant). As an added benefit to germaphobes, bacteria is unable to grow on DLC coatings.

Linde Werdelin doesn't just have a DLC coating applied to its watches and call it a day. The process of hardening is very involved with their first DLC watch, the Hard Black Elemental. While these processes are often not publicized, the high costs of many luxury watches can stem from the involved and time consuming processes that must occur to get the perfect end result. Lets go through the process with the case part of the watch. First the case is milled out of 316L high grade steel. Milling literally cuts steel into the right shape, versus having to bend or shape it. The steel is then specially heated in an oven, and a process called Kolsterising takes place. The Kolsterizing process takes advantage of the fact that the surface of the steel become porous, and another hardening compound is applied before the steel cools, whose molecules settle in the steel. This process is another means of hardening the steel even before the DLC coating is applied. By the time the DLC coating is blasted on the watch case, it is already very hard. A reason that you typically don't see watches finished with just Kolsterizing is because it results in a blotchy look to the steel surface. The caseback of the Hard Black is not DLC coated steel, though it appears as such. Another metal used on the Hard Black DLC watch is aluminum. If you look closely at the image of the rear of the Linde Werdelin Hard Black, you'll notice holes drilled in to the rear of the watch to allow for unscrewing of the case back. The holes are drilled through a layer of brushed anodized aluminum which is placed over the screw-on stainless steel plate on the rear of the watch. Anodized aluminum has a great ability to be colored (much more easily that stainless steel), and is very light. Thus its application on the caseback.

DLC is an amazingly rugged material and is still young in its applications, especially in the watch industry. The benefit of having a DLC coating on a watch makes for a serious tool that you can easily throw around without worry. It is another (big) step forward to achieving a common dream of many; having a luxury watch that will keep its polish and sheen regardless of the abuse you subject it to.

Linde Werdelin's Hard Black DLC Elemental watch is available as a limited edition, with more DLC watches to come from Linde Werdelin soon. It is based on the very attractive and unique Elemental Biformeter watch line. The watch is 46mm wide with an automatic ETA 2892 inside (with a 42 hour power reserve). Pricing is around $5000 US, but you'll be paying in British Pounds. This is a true luxury, sports activity watch, and you can feel comfortable doing just about anything with it. Personally, I like the design, but it takes a while for it to grow on some people. One of the best aspects of Linde Werdelin is their personal touch and communication; you know that as a customer or prospective customer, you'll have their full attention if you have any issues, and they love feedback.

I want to thank Linde Werdelin for talking with me about the DLC coating process, and especially their particular use of the impressive technology. Please contact Linde Werdelin here, and look out for more DLC watches in the near future.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Vacheron Constantin Returns To What It Is Good At With The Collection Excellence Platine Patrimony Double Retrograde Watch

admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:29:31 +0000

Vacheron Constantin isn't good at everything, but they are good at a few things. One of those things is making effectively simple luxury watches. Getting too avant garde really isn't their thing. Releasing "modern" watches really isn't their thing either. In my opinion the newer Quai de l'Ile collection was a visual and logical disaster.

Moving forward, Vacheron Constantin has been focusing a great deal on platinum watches. The expensive and hard to work with metal has been increasing in popularity, especially as many of the world's wealthy watch lovers are seeking more and more exclusive materials for their watches. While there is nothing new about platinum, it has always been of the rarest precious metals, and notorious for requiring extreme efforts to work.

The Platine Patrimony Double Retrograde watch (Limited Edition of 100 pieces) features a platinum case, with a platinum dial, platinum hands, and even platinum threading (exclusive to Vacheron Constantin) on the strap. However, the hour indices are white gold (easier to polish, and the contrast with the sand-blasted platinum dial assists with legibility). You then have the blue hands for the retrograde date (on the top), and day of the week (on the bottom). The layout is really nice and simple. Not the same as Patek Philippe, but similar in terms of simplicity. It is a good idea to keep things easy to ready, and this is one of the better executions of a retrograde calendar that I have seen.

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Inside is an in house Vacheron Constantin caliber 2460R31R7 with 27 jewels, beating at 28,800 bph and with a power reserve of 40 hours. Pretty simple, but the power reserve is a bit low in my opinion. The decoration of the movement is impressive however. Meticulous polishing on the movement itself, and the 22k gold rotor is guilloche engraved for a great classic look. Further, the rotor is coupled with ceramic ball bearings which are proving to be a better alternative that steel ball bearings that rely much more on lubrication.

The PT950 stamp on the watch dial and the rear of the watch indicate the purity of the platinum, which in this case is very close to being pure. The watch case is 42.5mm wide, a good size. It is good to see Vacheron Constantin focusing more on the things it is good at. No brand wants to hear that it cannot do everything, but it is important to focus on a company's strengths. Watches like the Platine Patrimony Double Retrograde fall into this category, and should be seen as an example of Vacheron Constantin as a whole. Price? Well consider the Vacheron Constantin name, and the fact that it is Platinum and you are shooting upward of $50k.

See Vacheron Constantin watches on eBay here.

See Vacheron Constantin watches on Amazon here.

Vacheron Constantin 18K yellow Gold vintage watch Ref 2093

US $2,953.50

Men ultra rare Vacheron Constantin pedestal Mega Sale wristwatches lot special

US $179.00

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronometer Original Auto 42042 423A $10900 LNIB

US $7,200.00

1905 VACHERON CONSTANTIN GENEVA POCKET WATCH 258925 512MM

US $633.94

Vacheron Constantin 435 Mainspring

US $50.00

POCKET WATCH ANTIQUE 9KT SOLID GOLD VACHERON CONSTANTIN CHRONOGRAPH NR MINT 1922

US $4,646.84

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Essence Of “Guy Watch” In The New Breitling Super Avenger Blacksteel Chronograph

admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:32:18 +0000

It is funny how sometimes one watch can epitomize a theme. Breitling watches are known to most people who know anything at all about watches, but think about what they actually mean to you. You probably thing "professional" watch, or "pilot" watch, but what does any of that really mean? Well a large part of it is Breitlings clever advertising, which has gone to great efforts to make the Breitling name synonymous with Swiss rugged watches. When it comes down to it, they have ingrained themselves as being part of the essence of masculine watches, with so much being compared to them. In a sense, I have always felt that Omega (part of the Swatch Group) and Breitling have been head to head battling for the standard "nice" man's watch.

Well, sometimes a watch comes out that just epitomizes a brand, and a theme; like started saying earlier. It really sums up most of what a brand is trying to be. Here, I am suggesting that the Super Avenger Blacksteel chronograph includes most of what Breitling wants to be known for. However, conspicuously missing is the complex slide rule bezel! You have a automatic mechanical chronograph movement, inside of a very large (48mm) black steel case. The black coating is a exotic carbon nitride-based movement, which is even more rugged than PVD.

Look closely at the chronograph pusher buttons, which are protected by castle like crenelation. Really nice and tough looking. the crown itself is well protected and grooved for each of use. Then you have the standard Breitling rotating bezel that couldn't look more at home than on this watch. Next is the military stencil font used for the numbering which again, is so aptly executed. The watch works so well from a design perspective, you just seem to take it for granted. Of course, there is the Breitling chronometer certified movement (Breitling caliber 13) inside that you can also take for granted in terms of accuracy and reliability.

The Super Avenger Blacksteel is a large and heavy watch, which is probably why it is on a rubber strap. I don't mind the weight and would prefer it on a steel bracelet with the same tone. This is likely available, knowing how much Breitling likes to provide options to its customers. Actually their pricing tends to reflect a separate price for the bracelet and "body."

So if you want an everlasting tribute to manliness in your watch collection, and you like the Breitling style, the Super Avenger Blacksteel chronograph watch is the way to go.

See Breitling Avenger watches on eBay here.

See Breitling watches on Amazon here.

BREITLING SUPER AVENGER BLACK DIAMONDS WATCH 60 CARATS

US $11,999.99

BREITLING SUPER AVENGER Diamond Watch Over 20 cts

US $17,999.99

Eye Popping Breitling Super Avenger Diamond Pro Professional II Bracelet 800 ct

US $4,900.00

BREITLING SUPER AVENGER CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC RARE WHITE FACE

US $3,800.00

$12000 Mens Breitling Super Avenger Diamond Watch BIG BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND BEZEL

US $6,499.00

Brand New Breitling Avenger Seawolf A17330 Mens Watch

US $3,775.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Decoding The MSRP: What Retail Price Means, And What You Should Pay

admin — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:24:01 +0000

Prices are a funny thing. We often don't understand why we pay what we do, nor do we often understand why some places can or do charge more for the same goods. In the retail goods market, there is such a thing as the MSRP, or manufacturer's suggested retail price. I have no idea where this price comes from. The best I can understand, there is a secret smokey room meeting where such numbers are obtained. MSRP prices attempt to combine the cost of production along with design, marketing, administrative costs, distribution, and of course profit.

The profit margin on an MSRP is rather thick. Not only because the manufacturer need to make a profit, but so does everyone in between. This involves at least one other party, which is the retailer. Often times the retailer is broken further down and various mid level or sales people need to make a cut. This is all part of the process of getting you valuable goods that you want!

Another thing you need to know is that retailers are keen to the fact that you like getting a good deal. Consumers like savings, and mark-offs, and sales. What better way to indicate perceived savings that start with an inflated "retail" cost, and then offer you something below that price. In fact, most MSRP (usually the same as retail prices), are based at the top of what they think any consumer will pay for the good. From there, each retailer has a degree of wiggle room. This is why you always see a retail price with a slash through it, and the price at which you can buy it. In fact, in most categories, you should never actually have to pay retail for anything.

This is where the Internet comes in and scares the hell out of traditional "brick and mortar" retailers. Internet based stores don't have nearly the overhead as traditional stores do. No sales people, no display space, just a website, which costs a lot less. Because of these lowered costs, Internet retailers can charge less to the consumer and still make a profit. You can see why this would scare traditional businesses. In the watch world, this has partially translated itself into watch makers not allowing Internet retailers to be "authorized dealers" online, and typically glossing over the subject of the internet as is. But this is another discussion entirely.

So when you see a retail price on a highly desirable good, you know that the price is just something set at the top of what people will pay. This goes for just about every piece of electronics, and almost every watch. This gives retailers a way of displaying that you are getting a deal. "Look at the price on the tag, now I'll take 10% off that. Aren't you happy?" Sure, that's nice of them, but they are still getting at least 20% as a profit. I personally don't feel right about giving a retailer more than 10%, maybe 15% profit, but that is just my feeling.

So when you see a retail price with a slash through it, you might as well ignore that price. Few people, if any, actually pays retail on such goods. The majority of us purchase goods at varying levels of profit to the retailer. It is not to say that Internet retailers get less of a profit that traditional stores, but rather they have less overhead before making a profit, so they can charge you less.

Now that you know this, you don't have to act surprised when a vendor offers 15% off or pulls out the calculator to give you a deal "today." Instead you can simply push a bit harder, because you know that MSRP values are a game, and you are there to do business.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

eBay Buying And Selling Tip: How to Handle The Reserve, An Often Ill Used Tool

admin — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:02:45 +0000

In addition to looking and fawning over watches, I also buy them on occasion. A typical venue for my consumerism is eBay. I like the thrill of the search and finding a rare item, as well as the system used to win auctions or purchase items. eBay is a wonderful resource, and I recommend it as a tool for everyone, regardless of whether you buy or sell. As such, I like to take the opportunity every once in a while to share tips and thoughts on using eBay based on my years of experience.

Today I am going to talk about the "reserve" price. This concept is almost as old as auctioning itself and serves a couple of purposes on eBay. The reserve is set by the seller, and can be changed during the auction if the reserve is not met. In short, I don't particularly like reserves, and urge sellers to disclose the reserve price. More on that in a bit.

To explain what the reserve is, first take a look at what eBay has to say about reserve prices here.This is good information, but eBay doesn't give you the whole story. In reality, reserve prices serve two purposes. First, it is a way to reduce the cost of the auction for the seller. eBay's pricing system differs depending on the opening price of the item. There is a cheaper auction listing price associated with listing an auction starting at $1.00, versus a $100 or $1000. So as a seller, you can reduce the initial listing cost by offering the auctioned item to start at a lower price, but not actually selling it until it reaches a threshold amount (the reserve price).

The second reason for having a reserve is psychological, and has to do with our natural desire to want to compete. An auction starting at $3,000 for an item with a $5,000 value is far less interesting than one that starts at $1.00 for the same item. Starting an auction with a low opening bid is an excellent way to get people excited and bidding. Once people start to bid (being attracted by a low opening bid), the idea is that they will start to compete with each other to "win." The mental need to win, combined with the desire for the item they are bidding together creating a very healthy bidding environment. For this reason, the reserve price has a decent purpose and is often used. However, this ideal situation of having a bidding frenzy that seller's get excited about is less common than you might think. The reality is that only the most desirable items are able to enjoy a large bidding war that exceeds the reserve price. Most items placed with a reserve price do not sell.

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Why don't they sell? Again, two reasons. Because there is perhaps not enough demand, and second, because the buyer has no idea what the reserve price is. Most important bidding occurs in the final minutes of an auction. A time when buyers decide how much the item is worth it to them, and bid accordingly hoping they don't get out-bid. The system rewards quick decision making, and it is only the rare bidder will bids so high as to alienate other bidders. The idea is to pay enough, but not too much. Thus auctions with a reserve price don't sell, because no one ever reaches the reserve price in the final moments of an auction. See the above image as an example. Here an auction ended without the reserve price being met. You can see that the auction enjoyed 8 bids, likely more if the auction reserve would have been met. There is obvious interest in this item, but the reserve price was not met, the item did not sell, and you have a frustrated seller, and frustrated buyers.

Again, the reserve price is held in secret. As a buyer, you have no idea what it is. The hope is that you just keep bidding higher until you reach it. But that is rarely the case. Buyers will get discouraged and simply not bid, or wait until someone else has reached the reserve price to see what it is. If the reserve price is not met, the only way of communicating what it is to buyers is to simply tell them what it is.

So this is my advice to people wishing to successfully sell on eBay; if you insist on placing a reserve price on an auction, write what the reserve price is in the auction description. This way you can save money on the initial listing cost, and you'll be sure that if the price is fair and there is demand. People will bid. If the auction is not a success, you'll know that the price you are asking is too high given the current demand. Otherwise, you simply have to start an auction at the lowest price you will accept for an item, and save everyone a headache and wasted time, or just place it as a "Buy It Now" item at a price you'd be happy with.

Alternatively, if you are a buyer interested in bidding on an auction with a reserve price, it would behoove you to simply ask the seller what the reserve price is. Easy enough, considering a lot of desirable watch auctions are listed with a reserve price, and it is helpful to simply know what that price is. Happy eBaying.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Jaeger LeCoultre Asks You A Dumb Question; Offers A Nonsense Response

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:01:56 +0000

"Hi, how's it going?"

"Just fine sir, care to view any fine Jaeger LeCoultre timepieces today?"

"Well, I don't know. What makes these.... Jaeger LeCoultre watches.... better than what I've got now?"

(sigh) "Sir... these are what we call, 'real watches.' A a Jaeger LeCoultre watch represents an accomplishment combining elegance and discretion with a natural aura of serene confidence."

(blank stare). "I don't.... What exactly does that mean?"

"It doesn't matter what it means sir. I'm telling you, as I have been told, that it is the appropriate response to these... questions..."

Yea, I don't know what Jaeger LeCoultre was thinking behind this new idiotic marketing direction which is aimed squarely at one response from consumer. "Wait, what is Jaeger LeCoultre saying?" Self admittedly, Jaeger LeCoultre is stating that there seems to be some problem in the consumer's perception of the brand. So when you are checking out their advertisements, of course you aren't going to focus on the watch, but rather this relatively insulting question.

I personally have never worn a real watch. All this time I've gotten along quite well with cardboard cutouts on my wrist that keep excellent time twice a day. Being under the perception that I was a watch lover, I am saddened to learn that I don't know what a real watch is, nor that I am wearing one.

In one fell swoop of poor articulated words, Jaeger LeCoultre insults the majority of watch owners out there and every other watch company in the industry. Working with world renowned marketing/ad agency DDB, Jaeger LeCoultre probably walked into their offices saying, "people are buying more mechanical watches, but our sales aren't up proportionally with the increased demand. Here is a million euros, do something."

Not being business idiots and specializing in marketing. DDB did what they do best and took the job. Most people in the world who aren't watch lovers, don't really understand the watch industry. And that goes for DDB as well. With no offense intended, I find that the vast majority of PR and marketing firms don't know squat about watches, and just place them in the sale category as fashion and jewelry. For this reason, we are blessed with the ad copy dribble that stands for most watch industry marketing materials. When will they ever learn? I posit that there is no cure in sight.

Please try reading the words that accompany the pictures of watches you pick up catalogs to look at, or on websites. Utterly indecipherable much of the time. Like a code that makes you solves riddles to figure out basic items that make a watch desirable. I'm glad that a 1000 labors worked for a 1000 to perfect the sheen on the watch case, but what movement does it have? I've actually experienced sales people at watch retailed locations pulling out "the big book" that is supposed to have the information in it. The tome is hauled up on the display case. Dust is blown off, and the poor sap looking through the pages is annoyed themselves that none of this information is easily to find. It would be like going car shopping and the sales person calling the factory to determine what type of engine the car has. "There is a guy from corporate that might now. I can give you his phone number." Oh no, you've done quite enough, I won't trouble your overburdened company for any more basic information.

Perhaps I should find a couple of Jaeger LeCoultre sales people and ask them what makes their watches "real?" Those would be some interesting answers, lathered with a thick coating of, "who are you to ask" and a layer of "if you have enough money to buy one of these watches you really shouldn't care." Ahh...sales...

I think I might just do that. At least to prove to myself how ill conceived this entire new circus act of a marketing slogan campaign is. The people who spend a lot of money on nice watches at this level tend to oversee Rolex for something more interesting and unique. They focus on looks, features, and tangible benefits in a watch. The "have you ever worn a real watch" concept might temporarily catch the attention of someone who doesn't know anything about watches, but not long enough to purchase, and certainly not enough to garner credibility in the eyes of anyone who might actually buy a Jaeger LeCoultre.

So for these reasons, "have you ever worn a real watch" is a dumb question. And the response offered by Jaeger LeCoultre makes no sense. In fact, I can't determine if there is really a response at all. A question akin to some hallucinogenically derived postulate about existence itself that has about as much of a good answer as does something like "do we ever really live?" and "can enough money really ever buy a good advertising campaign?"

See Jaeger LeCoultre watches on eBay here.

See Jaeger LeCoultre watches on Amazon here.

JAEGER LE COULTRE MASTER ALARM VALENTINO ROSSI 46 LTD ED Q177T47V RRP£12500

US $13,783.00

Jaeger le Coultre watch movement dial Swiss runs and keeps time

US $19.99

Jaeger Le Coultre Master Compressor Memovox Alarm Bracelet Watch Box Papers Rare

US $5,995.00

Jaeger le Coultre JLC Reverso Squadra World Time Titanium Q702T470 Complete

US $11,806.12

Vintage Jaeger Le Coultre Gold Plated Pro AM PGA Championship Pocket Watch

US $1,295.00

JAEGER LE COULTRE GRANSPORT AUTOMATIQUE SS MENS Q2908102 RRP £5980

US $5,190.28

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Edward Norton Is New Male Face Of Breil Watch Ads: High Price For The Actor?

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:29:19 +0000

We can be safe in assuming that Edward Norton was richly compensated for being Italian watch designer "Breil's" newest brand ambassador. The contract stipulates that for the next two years, Norton will be the primary face for all of Breil's print advertising. He gets to wear the watch for hours while photographers attempt to capture his "essence" and transfer than to the watch. Norton is actually an interesting choice for Breil, and probably not the first person you'd think that a watch company would choose. Virtually everyone in the watch industry is extremely conservative and highly conscious of image. Personally, I am a huge fan of Ed Norton (and I'll watch basically anything he is in), but you have to consider his image based on the most popular movies he has been in.

So when I hear of Ed Norton, I think of some specific movies he has been in. Recently, he was in another new "The Hulk" movie. Mostly he wore a Polar heart-rate watch to make sure he didn't turn into the Hulk. He destroyed this watch a number of times as he turned into the Hulk, and was running from "the law" half the time. Then you have "The People Versus Larry Flint." In this excellent movie discussing the power of the First Amendment and the evolution of American adult magazines, you have Norton playing an attorney who defends the often frustrating porn-god, Larry Flint; who at one point convinces Norton to maintain his representation because Larry Flint is too fun and interesting to drop as a client. Then you have American History X, where Norton walks around neo-Nazi-esque complete with shaved head and tattoos, until realizing the err of his ways only to watch his brother get killed doing the same thing. Probably not the best face for any watch brand, at least coming from that movie. Finally, I always fondly think of Fight Club. What a great movie that was, even though author Chuck Palahniuk's book was a complex read. Here you have the two-faced Norton starting... well, a fight club, living in a condemned house, causing overall mayhem, with... as I believe it was called, "project mayhem," and providing audiences with many a black-eyed head shot. I really loved that movie.

Of course Norton has been in plenty of other movies but these are the ones that initially come to mind. So putting aside what the consumer association may be with Norton, lets focus on what all this means for him. Being a watch brand ambassador is not all fun and games. Sure you need to spend hours dolled up in front of a camera swapping watches and wardrobe, but there is so much more. Basically, Norton cannot be see wearing anything other than a Breil watch until his contract is up. That is a pretty steep price if you ask me, especially since Breil watches are nice, but not movie start nice. We are talking about watches that are a few hundred bucks, as opposed to ones which run with a higher league of watch. Imagine him getting together with pals, each has a $5,000 - $20,000 watch on, and Norton has a $700 Breil. He is basically gonna have to say, "I'm getting $5 mil a year to wear this, screw all of you." Actually I am not sure how much he is making a year on this, but I hope it is at least that.

Watch companies are dead serious about these contracts and "ambassador relationships." They will do what it takes to preserve the responsibilities of the celebrities they compensate for the visibility. Breil's female ambassador is Charlize Theron (also a good choice). While she has had no problems with Breil, she did have a particularly nasty law suit with Raymond Weil, another watch brand that she previously had a representation agreement with. Being seen wearing a Christian Dior watch at a charity function, Raymond Weil sued Theron for $20 million, arguing that being seen with a competitor's watch undermined the advertising campaign 100%. Silly? Yea I think so, but it is a illustration of how serious the watch brands take this. The suit by Raymond Weil against Theron is ongoing to my knowledge.

So moving back to Norton, he is going to have to stick to wearing Breil watch in most all public places for a while. I really hope that Breil gives him most every male watch they have. I've had some experiences with Breil watch, and the fit and finish is good, and the looks are interesting. I don't know if I could wear one everyday, but there are certainly enough good watches in their line-up. Though I do wish they had more mechanical models. Watch for Breil print ads featuring Edward Norton to start popping up this month.

See Breil watches on eBay here.

See Breil watches on Amazon here.

Breil BW0433 Ladies Milano Chronograph Date Watch

US $769.00

Breil BW0435 Ladies Milano Chronograph Date Watch

US $764.00

Breil Milano Ladies Watch BW0441

US $481.00

Breil Watch for Lady

US $79.00

Breil Gents Mens Watch Chronograph Black Leather £375

US $330.78

BREIL MILANO BW0536 MEDITERRANEO MENS WATCH LOW PRICE GUARANTEE

US $333.00

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Watch Making; The Industry Of The Niche Markets And Boutique Manufactures

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:42:56 +0000

You might be wondering what Voltron has to do with watch making. Well, nothing actually, though I did think this segment of Voltron forming was cool. It also helps me illustrate a point about the watch industry, and how a good watch is really made up from the efforts of several entities working together.

When you see a new watch that you like. You pick it up and may think to yourself, "they really make a nice watch." This would be the logical thing to say, but a more accurate statement a lot of the time would be, "they assemble a really nice watch." And sometimes not even that. Don't kid yourself into thinking that most small watch makers and brands (both large and small) are able to make and design everything themselves. You already know that for the most part, watch movements are all sourced, and more often than not, the components that make up your watch come from many places.

None of this is necessarily a bad thing, and small watch makers are often proud of where they get their parts from. You see, only the largest of watch makers are able to be "vertically integrated." Meaning they make all (or most) of the parts that go into the watches themselves, plus assemble the watches. Even then, there are often highly specialized parts that are sourced. Behemoth watch maker Swatch still relies on certain outside companies to make watch parts from time to time. That, or they just buy the parts manufacturer and bring them into the family. Swatch is one of the only European watch makers that can be said to actually have an integrated manufacturing system. Large makers such as Citizen and Seiko in Japan likely make most of their parts, some of which are perhaps actually manufactured in China (though lets not stress that part of it). We know that American based Fossil relies heavily on China for parts, which makes sense given their less than world class wrist watch offerings.

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Swiss and German watch makers are a bit more protective of their craft and will mostly rely on "local" suppliers for everything. As such, there is a price to be deemed "Swiss Made." And that is really where you see the niche industries blossom. You have companies that just make watch cases, or hands, or do special engraving, or dials, or bezels. Then you get to the movements themselves. The "brand" typically puts the movements together and places them in the watches (the assembly phase), but the pieces that go inside the movements come from all over the place. Even if a movement "kit" is purchased from ETA, many of the smaller elements come from specialized industries. Parts like the mainspring, shock absorption elements, rotor, and others are sometimes sourced from highly specialized companies. If all you make is automatic mechanical watch rotors, you likely do it very well, and you'll be in high demand.

Some watch makers will make some of the parts themselves, but typically all smaller watch makers source much of their parts externally. Which really boils down to what good watch making is all about. You need to be able to come up with a good design, and more importantly, establish good relationships with parts makers. A skilled ability to select among the best while integrating the pieces to come up with a good looking and well-built watch is the key to success and often the holy grail of independent watch makers. That of course, and having a unique slant of classic designs or something uniquely avant garde, and an attractive price.

The landscape of the watch industry in Switzerland, at least, is a vast network of distributor relationships, parts makers, innovation conferences, and talent exchanges. That, and watch making is a labor of love that has the unique ability these days to connect the working class artisan, with a sometimes aristocratic class of buyers; those people that create with those people who "have." The most successful of watch makers combine the skill of design and of the industry. It is possible for a maker to enjoy high commercial success without delving into the realm of technical innovation or alike, simply by tastefully combining the existing elements and relationships available to them.

Know that watch makers for the most part don't want you to know this. They would prefer retain an illusion that they, themselves hand make each watch from the ore to the finished timepiece. Instead they are mostly assemblers, but that is OK. These are businesses like any other, and the realities and privileges of industrialization should be taken advantage of at all times. A purely hand-made watch would cost a fortune, which is often the case even with those that are only somewhat hand-made.

Knowing this you can always feel free to inquire as to the source of parts, and alike contained in a watch you are interested in. There are even those watches that are like wine; in that certain years are better than others given the parts available and used during segments of production. These are often the most collectible, and highly sought after. Yet another insight into the interesting and dynamic world which is the watch industry.

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.

Watch Auctioneer Antiquorum Gets Maron-ated: Changes Under New (Ironic) Ownership?

admin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:55:18 +0000

If you recall some older articles of mine, I didn't exactly speak to fondly of Antiquorum's totalitarian tactics behind their running of Timezone.com, which they own. The large luxury watch auctioneer has been around for a while focused on the buying and selling of uber luxury watches and people who feel comfortable writing blanks checks. They have some really nice watches of course, but take my word for it these people put the "snob" in "snobby."

Well for whatever reason Antiquorum (Antiquorum.com) is under new rule. Watch selling veteran Robert Maron has taken (or been offered and accepted the helm). There is just one big irony in this for me. You have to understand that Antiquorum hates anyone else that attempts to auction watches. I would guess they probably hate anyone else that sells watches either. Their crude censorship tactics on Timezone.com can ban you for life just for mentioning the evil little word "eBay." So Antiquorum, the arch eBay nemesis, has appointed a leader who takes a lot of pride in selling on eBay? Sure enough, Robert Maron, in addition to his online watch store, has a well listed eBay watch store. Something seems fishy here. Maybe Antiquorum is paying Maron enough to get out of selling watches on his own? Maybe he will ditch eBay? Maybe they needed Maron a lot more than he needed them. Anything is possible, but I do see this as a true irony. I am not surprised though.

The watch industry, especially in the area of sales has been notorious for such contradictions. While admonishing the gray market publicly, sales channels seeking to unload inventory often feed watches straight to the gray market right after chastising them. It is all a game really to preserve a sales model that is frankly, pretty antiquated. That however, is another discussion altogether.

Information suggests that Maron has a large financial stake in Antiquorum as well. So, another possibility is that he basically bought his Chairman role at the company. Maron, owning a very large watch dealership might have been able to afford such a position or stake at the world's largest (depending on your definition) watch auction house. Each highly profitable ventures. It is certainly conceivable that Maron invested his way into Antiquorum. And if this is the case, I think him all the more impressive.

Robert Maron is supposed to bring a new level of growth and reach (Internet wise most likely) for Antiquorum, and he seems like a good guy for the job. Frankly, I have a lot to admire about him. We are both attorneys who love watches a lot. He lives in Los Angeles, and I am from Los Angeles; he made a successful career out of his watch love, and, well, who knows what I will do with mine. He is a bit of a success story actually. One of those self-made watch entrepreneurs, he really made a solid name for himself. I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Maron, but if I do, I'll let you know if he will give Antiquorum a better face, or allow it to stick with with the one it has. Honestly, who starts a company name with the word "anti" anyways?

We will see what happens. Antiquorum holds about three auctions a years, and the haul is large for them each time. Stay posted to see how things pan out for Maron. Perhaps he will change policies on Timezone.com so that they aren't seen in such a negative light. The watch industry landscape just keeps getting more interesting!

Written by Mr. Ariel Adams - aBlogtoRead.com, trusted independent watch media.