Mathilde Krim, amfAR voorzitter, en Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot CEO, bij de opening van de Hublot New York boutique op 11 mei Krim houdt de Big Bang Magic amfAR uurwerk.

Een paar jaar geleden de Zwitserse luxe horloge bedrijf, Hublot , introduceerde haar Million Dollar Big Bang horloge, een tourbillon uurwerk bedekt met diamanten. Het was grote hit, het genereren van een grote hoeveelheid van de pers en de rente en het leiden van het bedrijf, onder leiding van de flamboyante Jean-Claude Biver, naar andere edities van het uurwerk te maken. Onlangs heeft het bedrijf onthulde een aantal nieuwe stukken aan de collectie. Zij omvatten het volgende:
Drie Million Dollar Big Bang. Dit is een uurwerk met verblindende bling en superieure functie. De 18k wit gouden armband, de zichtbare delen van de horlogekast en de wijzerplaat zijn geplaveid met meer dan 637 baguette diamanten, met een gewicht van meer dan 140 karaat. De oprichting vereiste 45 gemcutters en 2000 uur werk door meester gemsetters om dit horloge in diamanten te dekken. Het horloge bevat ook een in-huis gemaakt kaliber HUB 6003 handmatig gewikkeld tourbillon uurwerk met van-gecentreerde tijdweergave.

Big Bang Leopard. Voor de dames is er een versie van de Big Bang, dat is vrouwelijk en wild. De band is bedekt met een luipaard print gemaakt van denim. De wijzerplaat, in dezelfde luipaard print, is uitgebreid met gele diamant uur markers. De kast en bezel zijn gemaakt van 18 karaat rood goud. De bezel is ingesteld met gerookte kwarts, andalusites en citrien stenen. De 41 mm horloge bevat een HUB4300 automatische chronograaf uurwerk.

Big Bang Zwarte Kaviaar. Geheel gemaakt van keramiek, het is 30 procent lichter dan staal. Het horloge is krasbestendig, anti-allergeen, onveranderlijk en roest-proof, met inbegrip van de kroon en bellen. Het ontwerp is geïnspireerd door de One Million Dollar Zwarte Kaviaar Big Bang (bedekt met meer dan 500 zwarte diamanten met een gewicht van 34,5 karaat.) Met behulp van het concept van de "onzichtbare zichtbaar ', ontworpen om te mengen in de achtergrond terwijl het nog steeds zichtbaar vet. Het is getooid in uniform tinten van zwart met haar keramische reliëfs ontworpen, knippen, afgeschuind en gepolijst zoals de baguette zwarte diamanten van zijn duurdere broer of zus. De 41 mm diameter uurwerk is voorzien van een HUB1112 automatisch mechanisch uurwerk. Het heeft een datumvenster op 3:00 en wordt geleverd met een zwarte rubberen band. Het heeft ook een 42-uur gangreserve en is waterdicht tot 100 meter.

Big Bang All Black Carbon. Helemaal zwart, volledig mat, en trouw aan begrip Hublot's "onzichtbare zichtbaar," dit is de eerste keer dat een Big Bang horloge volledig is gemaakt van koolstofvezel. Zijn zwarte HUB4100 beweging (zwart PVD, ruthenium en zwarte goud coating) breidt de alle zwarte koolstof concept tot het hele stuk, voor een lichte, stealthy look. Het wordt geleverd met een zwarte alligator gummy band met een zwarte natuurrubber binnenkant.

Big Bang Magic amfAR. Dit is een 100-delig limited edition horloge gemaakt om de amfAR wereldwijde strijd tegen hiv / aids te ondersteunen. Het ontwerp viert de organisatie 25-jarig bestaan. Het horloge heeft een 44 mm zwart keramische behuizing en bezel en herbergt een self-kronkelende chronograaf uurwerk en rubber-alligator band met de amfAR kleuren en logo. Biver en amfAR stichtend voorzitter, Mathilde Krim, onthulde de wacht bij de opening van de New York City Boutique op 11 mei.bekijk meer replicas horloges en replica Rolex Sea Dweller

BLANCPAIN, de geprivilegieerde PARTNER VAN PRESTIGE YACHTING

Voor het vijfde achtereenvolgende jaar, Blancpain is anker in de oude haven van Cannes. Een partner van de 32ste editie van de International Boat Show, Blancpain is het markeren van de gelegenheid door de aankondiging van de wereldwijde lancering van haar gloednieuwe 500 Fathoms horloge duiker. En als kers op de taart, de vervaardiging van Le Brassus presenteert een wereldprimeur op de Blancpain stand: een 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009 gelimiteerde serie van 50 gewijd aan de zee-liefhebbers.

De Blancpain verhaal is geschreven in "marine" blue sinds 1953, het debuut jaar van het horloge de eerste moderne duiker, de Fifty Fathoms. Blancpain viert regelmatig haar historische banden met de maritieme wereld. In 2007, Blancpain natuurlijk koos de Cannes International Boat Show te lanceren de "new wave" Fifty Fathoms kijken. Dit jaar, op zijn vijfde deelname aan het prestigieuze zeilevenement markeren, Blancpain is de aankondiging van de lancering van de gloednieuwe 500 Fathoms en het presenteren van een speciale editie van dit model, uitgegeven in een gelimiteerde serie van 50.
De resoluut sportieve 500 Fathoms is het maken van een opmerkelijke entree in de collectie van horloges Blancpain duiker. Begiftigd met een nieuw gezicht, nieuwe dimensies en nieuwe voorstellingen, kan de 500 Fathoms in sommige opzichten worden beschouwd als de "grote zus" (size-wise) van de beroemde Fifty Fathoms *. Van maar liefst 48 mm in diameter, de nieuwe 500 Fathoms is waterbestendig tot 1000 meter. Een automatische decompressieklep, geplaatst in de geborstelde titanium, garandeert de veiligheid en betrouwbaarheid van het horloge zonder enige behandeling van de zijde van de drager.

Om de leesbaarheid te verbeteren, heeft Blancpain ontworpen grote lichtgevende Arabische cijfers gegraveerd in zongeborstelde metal appliques. De luminescerende laag aangebracht op het uur-markers, bezel markeringen en handen, en het rode uiteinde van het centrale secondewijzer zorgt ideaal geschikt aflees- onder alle omstandigheden. De zwarte lichtgevende basis van de wijzerplaat onthult haar fluorescentie alleen in het donker. De enkele reis draaibare ring gemaakt van titanium en krasvast saffierglas is gekerfd om het hanteren te vergemakkelijken en enigszins gebogen om het risico van de effecten te verminderen.
De saffier kristal terug maakt het mogelijk om te genieten van het volledig met de hand versierde zelfopwindende Calibre 1315 met zijn propeller-vormige oscillerende gewicht. De 500 Fathoms Cannes 2009 model komt uitgerust met een zwart-rubber bekleed zeildoek band, terwijl een extra rubberen band en een speciale tool om veilig te stellen dat de finishing touch te geven aan deze set geleverd in een ultra-stevige waterdichte geschenkverpakking ontworpen om extreme weerstaan conditie.
* Geboren in 1953 uit de ontmoeting Blancpain met twee Franse marine-officieren - Kapitein Robert "Bob" Maloubier en luitenant Claude Riffaud, die werden toevertrouwd door het Franse Ministerie van Defensie met het creëren van een elite "Combat Divers" unit - de Fifty Fathoms bewees zijn waarde door het weergeven van een mogelijkheid om de extreme omstandigheden kenmerkend onderwater militaire operaties weerstaan. Vernoemd naar de waterdichtheid van het oorspronkelijke model, gegarandeerd tot een diepte van 50 vadem (91,45 meter), deze mechanische meesterwerk verdiende al snel een reputatie van betrouwbaarheid en robuustheid, zich daarbij beweren als horloge de archetypische moderne duiker.
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bekijk meer replicas horloges en replica Rolex Day Date

Suunto Core - mijn uiterste best voor de activiteiten 'meest populaire outdoor' extreme

Geboren uit de ervaring van Suunto, bekend toonaangevend merk in het segment van outdoor producten, en op de historische voetsporen Suunto Vector , die dit jaar viert haar 20ste verjaardag, met de wil om supremazione te doen gelden in het ontwerp en de productie bestond uit tools waarmee u bergbeklimmen, wandelen, oriëntatielopen races en trainingen.

Met Suunto Core meer dan ooit, de technologie is waardevolle bondgenoot in de praktijk van alle sporten die verband houden met Outdoor met de intentie om een ieder, professioneel of liefhebbers in het controleren van hun prestaties te helpen en begeleiden hen veilig in uitdagende en onontgonnen locatie zoals de berg.
Zal zich presenteren als een vlaggenschip van de ABC-technologie (hoogtemeter, barometer en kompas) Suunto en maak vroege doorgedrongen in de harten van de liefhebbers van sterke verhogingen van de essentiële apparatuur en goed-6, allemaal verschillend, versies waarin je aanwezig.

Suunto Core, is dit de naam van dit model waarmee de Finse bekende multinational gevestigd in Vaanta wil nieuwe standart vast te stellen voor instrumenten Outdoor, combineert de typische functies van een computer van Suunto pols om geavanceerde en nieuwe zoals een dieptemeter en tijdwaarneming de zonsopgang en zonsondergang en gemeenten, die nooit kan ontbreken, zoals een tweede tijd, countdown timer en stopwatch compleet.
Suunto Core de Suunto traditie van de "bruid" een eigentijdse stijl aangeboden in meerdere varianten van stijlen, van de grootstedelijke extreme buiten, is een kandidaat om naar te kijken dat je niet kunt missen voor liefhebbers van activiteiten in de buitenlucht!
Suunto Core, die beschikbaar zal zijn in het begin van 2008, het boeken van hun eigen e-mail van "acteur" in de apparatuur, waaronder touwen en karabiners standart elke verzending en toekomstige klimmen, met connotaties van extreme stevigheid en een nieuwe, intuïtieve gebruikersinterface, maar haar blik "totale urban" zal ook het ideaal is voor minder veeleisende grootstedelijke avonden te maken.
Nauwkeurig tot 10.000 meter streeft Coore Suunto ook in de rol van weerstation pols dankzij de barometer die u toelaat om veranderingen in het weer te voorspellen: een stap voorwaarts, met de storm alarm waarvan Coore heeft, voor veiligheid van de wandelaars en klimmers.
Artikel door Limbiati klokken, horloges Suunto officiële dealer. bekijk meer kopie rolex en replica Hermes Arceau

Citizen Watches Diver's RC EcoDrive

Citizen Italië informeert ons dat binnenkort zal worden voorgelegd aan de Citizen horloge duiker RC EcoDrive de eerste Diver's professionele ISO6425 gecertificeerd met synch.
De functies zijn: Eco Drive beweging (kronkelende Infinite Light) met een gangreserve van 2,5 jaar (met dank aan de energiebesparende functie) en radiografisch bestuurd.
Kast en band STC titanium wit.
Kroon en case-back drukknop aangescherpt schroef.
unidirectionele draaibare ring in titanium met DLC afwerking (zorgt voor een hoge mate van weerstand tegen krassen en slijtage).
Voldoet aan de specificaties voor Diver's horloges professionele ISO6425 tot aan de druk van 20 bar.
De klok duiker RC Citizen Eco-station zal beschikbaar zijn op de Italiaanse markt vanaf mei 2009 in twee versies van de wijzerplaat: Zwart of brons; zijn de prijs te bepalen. bekijk meer rolex nep en replica Patek Philippe anderen

Replica Cartier Watch Roadster de Cartier Small Model W6206006

One of the high quality Swiss made replica goods producers in the world, replica Cartier started its existence during the first half of the 19th century, when, in 1847, an ambitious Parisian jeweler, decided to change the face of the traditional time-telling instruments, and to create perfect watches, which intertwine the watchmaker’s skill with the delicate art of the jeweler.

Through the years, Cartier never ceased to upgrade its mechanisms and to bring amazing new interpretations to its models, which captivated both the watch-experts, and the brand’s demanding clientele through their outstanding mechanical sophistication, high-class distinction, utter luxury and exuberance.

Not long ago, the brand brought another outstanding addition to one of its most iconic watch collections, the minimalist Cartier Roadster de Cartier Watch Collection, a remarkable new model especially created to please the self-assertive modern woman – the new Roadster de Cartier Small Model W626006 Watch.
The model demonstrates a stylish stainless steel, barrel-shaped case, measuring 37 mm x 32 mm, that demonstrates an interesting combination of brushed and polished surfaces, which highlights its feminine silhouette. The eye-pleasing architecture of the case, incorporates a steel fluted crown, fitted with cabochon decoration, and a scratchproof sapphire crystal, and provides a good 100-meters water resistance.

As for the dial, the delightful Roadster de replica Cartier Small Model W626006 Watch demonstrates a dainty, white mother-of-pearl dial, nicely completed with oversized, pink Roman numeral hour markers. The timepiece also features, Black sward-shaped hour and minutes hands, fitted with central luminescent inserts for optimal time-legibility in any light conditions.

The model accommodates a top-quality quartz movement, which ensures central hours, and minute’s functions, as well as a date function presented at 3 o’clock position, beneath a magnifying lens, and which has an approximate 3 years battery life.

Especially designed to bring a plus of style and individuality to any fashionable outfit, the new Roadster de Cartier Small Model W626006 Watch embraces the wrist either with a feminine pink leather strap, fitted with white stitching, or with a stainless steel adjustable bracelet.bekijk meer replica rolex en replica Hublot Big Bang King

Casio Ana/Digi affordable

One thing Casio has certainly got going for them is their uncanny knack of making watches to suit everyone. And if you're not a great fan of their “G” shock stuff, then what I call their hybrid plastic/resin & stainless/metalized look models could be for you. One thing is definite, they sport some great electronics, are easy to use, tough as any and make ideal “do everything” daily beaters.

Affordable value Casio World Time Chronograph – the AQ-190W

I actually have a “hybrid” model already, the Casio Tough Solar WVA-470, but more of this later as here I want to major on the Casio AQ-190W model shown above which is my newest affordable Casio to date. I like this for all sorts of reasons and not just the price, but for having none of the over muscular lumpiness and often less than easy to use pushbuttons of a “G” shock. This particular model is easy to use, easy pushers and easy intuitive functionality and reasonable dial clarity. As I said this is all at a very affordable under £40 price tag – and function for function is pretty decent value.
It has a Citizen Navitimer familiarity about the dial set up with it's separate digital displays, and it functions in similar manner. The contrasting background layers, clear digits, contrast and clever use of tones makes this not too bad clarity wise, though the sub dial unfortunately is a little reflective – matte would have been so much better.
Features – Casio Module 5082
As expected with Casio the feature list is long and mostly useful in this particular model and for those who like chronographs, the 1/1000 sec stopwatch analog counter is a bit special.

• Resin Glass / curved Spherical Glass
• 100-meter water resistance
• Case / bezel material: Resin / Stainless steel
• Stainless Steel Band
• One-touch 3-fold Clasp

• LED light
  Selectable illumination duration, afterglow
• World time
  29 time zones (48 cities + coordinated universal time), daylight saving on/off, Home city/World time city swapping
• 1/1000-second stopwatch
  Measuring capacity: 99:59'59.999”
  Measuring modes: Elapsed time, lap time, split time
  Other: Speed (0～498 unit / hour), Selection distance input (0.0～99.9), Best lap indicator
• Countdown timer
  Measuring unit: 1 second
  Input range: 1 minute to 24 hours (1-minute increments and 1-hour increments)
  Other: Auto-repeat
• 5 daily alarms (with 1 snooze alarm)
• Hourly time signal
• Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
• 12/24-hour format
• Regular timekeeping
  Analog: 2 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 20 seconds)
  Digital: Hour, minute, second, pm, month, date, day
• Accuracy:±30 seconds per month
• Approx. battery life: 2 years on CR1220
• Size of case: 50.1 × 45.4 × 13.7 mm
• Total weight: 98 g

The amazingly bright orange/yellow back light is at 3 o'clock and being just above the 3 marker, it reflects right across the dial and manages to illuminate both the analog hands and the digital windows which is a surprise. Certainly bright enough to read the time in the dark and maybe even to find your way to the bathroom at night! and certainly better than expected, especially compared to many other Casio models. Note that the analog hands and markers are also luminous and pretty decent in their own right.
The World Time feature is about as good as it gets and again very Citizen like. This makes it really easy to adjust, without continual reference to instructions unlike some, so is a practical watch for travel.
It's easy to set the time or to select another Time Zone or indeed change from your current time to destination time. As the digital and analog times are linked, you first select World Time and set the destination Zone you want, then “Swap” the digital time you've just set on to the hands – simply by pressing buttons A and B at the same time (that is the two upper buttons ) and the hands immediately move quickly round to the new digital setting. Your previous analog time will now show on the digital screen. On your return journey again select World Time, press both buttons A & B simultaneously again and job done – the times will revert once again. Very simple in practice.
However whilst the functionality of this model is commendable, the quality of the band is let down by its rather sharp edges, which can cut into the wrist slightly and this is a real shame.
I say this as in another respect the bracelet is good, specifically in that the band fits to the watch case via a standard 18 mm spring-bar and is not a molded Casio only affair.
Because of that you would think that it could be changed for a standard 18 mm wide strap or bracelet. Well it can but it's not quite as easy as it sounds and in any case you really shouldn't have to, and that's the point.
The reason for my caution here is that whilst the spring-bar fitting is 18 mm, the actual width of the bracelet at case is around 24 mm, so an 18 mm strap will look much too small in proportion to the watch. I managed to get round that by fitting a modified 24 mm silicon deployment strap, which wasn't too difficult to do and it looks absolutely fine (when I get a photo of it, I'll post it here). The watch now has the comfort it should have had at the start!
However bracelet apart in terms of price, functions, features, intuitive ease of use, size, weight and style, this is a very good buy and it even manages a 100m Water Resistance as well – So it's got quite a lot going for it. A friend of mine has a rubber strap version of this model he picked up in India, where it seems to be very popular (Oh had I known!).

AQ-190W (left) and WVA-470 Waveceptor (right)

I've done a brief comparison of my two Casio hydrids, and if pushed I'd have to say “out of the box” the slightly more expensive WVA-470 Waveceptor is my preference.
My WVA-470 Waveceptor (Radio Control), Tough Solar, World Time with it's 5053 module overall has more to it and has slightly better build quality including the bracelet (though is Casio fit only) and functionality is good. For travel you basically have to set a new Home Time, but that said, it's actually very easy to do – press button A (top left) to first see the transmitter selection, then toggle button C (lower left) to the City code – once selected press button A twice. The hands will move to the new Home Time, so pretty fast and easy to manage. It's a deceptively simple and understated looking watch and it's also very comfortable to wear and use.
Any downside – NONE
The AQ-190W model (module 5082 ) featured here doesn't have Solar or Radio Control, but does have good functionality, especially regarding the World Time feature – and I like the fact you can instantly “swap” any digital Time Zone to the analog hand indication which is perfect for traveling. Whether the 1/1000 sec chronograph is a good thing depends on personal preference. Personally I don't need that accuracy.
Any   downside – The sharp sided bracelet is really inexcusable from Casio and whilst a strap could used in place, this is hardly the point. Also after wearing this model for a while I note the Gray color hour and minute hands, in certain light can disappear into the display background. These would be much better White. This is something that I didn't expect, but noticeable after use for a bit and whilst not a sale breaker, being a stickler as I am for clarity it's a little disappointing.

24 mm wide alternative Silicon deployment strap – fitted to 18 mm spring-bars.

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As regards Analog/Digital models I was starting to think these were on the decline – but far from it. Casio alone have literally dozens of variations on a theme, from the more expensive right down to the incredible under $20 models and each with varying degrees of functionality. It's a mark of their remarkable strength in depth that almost all of them are pretty good with just a different emphasis here and there as to the actual featured function.
Unlike their resin cased range, where Casio's quality is probably unsurpassed, the composite build cased models are a different matter. You really do have to carefully check build quality, as seen here with the AQ-190, whilst the watch/case etc is fine, the bracelet is not so fine. And it varies with each model and perhaps influenced by where in the group a particular part of the hybrid make up was produced and/or assembled. Some like the WVA-470 for example are about as good as you'll get and yet model wise only marginally more expensive than the other.

A selection of Casio Ana/Digi's –
AQF1000WD-9BV, AQ160WD-1BV, AE1000WD-1AVCF, AMW700V-1AV, W89HB-5AV, ERA201BK-1AV

There's no question in my mind and fortunate for my wallet, that in general with Casio, I find the low to mid range priced models represent best value. I invariably find the more expensive range such as Edifice and above in comparison do not.
The model featured in this Post and more so with it's pal hybrid Waveceptor model represent good affordable value.
Also getting away from the grey resin only cased models, I like the look of the composite resin/steel case structure, which certainly reduces the overall price point and they are each a sensible size and whichever one you prefer in this Post, both have exceptional functionality. And they are two of a wide selection from Casio that manage to get the balance just right, and yet I also note are rarely if ever advertised highly. Casio's marketing hype tends to be geared towards their more expensive models, which I suppose is par for the course.
But don't be fooled. Really good value Casio models are there, but usually just under the radar and you may have to actively seek them out.
But if you do, I can almost guarantee you won't regret it.
Note – The WVA-470 Waveceptor,AQ-190W was featured here in my “Watch of the Week” as it still represents a great value watch. I also note there are quite a few variations of this watch (mine could be replaced by now) such as the WVA-105H, the WVA-M630D, the WVA-M640 to name but three . . . . so it appears it was and is still a winning combination and popular. bekijk meer imitatie rolex en jacob co

Chopard LUC 1963 Platinum Luxury Watch

n 2014, the Scheufele family celebrated the 50th anniversary of their headship of the Chopard Company. To pay tribute to this occasion they have presented a new model - LUC 1963 Platinum luxury watch that echoes the company's history twice. This luxury watch equipped with a pocket watch movement is a direct descendant of chronometers produced by Chopard until 1963. And in the same year, the Scheufele family bought the company in Geneva. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, explains the background to this model: “We had a classic task to create a fine watch resembling the model produced by my father immediately after the acquisition of the company: a model with a white dial and black Roman numerals. Such was the classic aesthetics at that time, and my father deliberately cultivated it”. Today, this Swiss luxury watch brand has reproduced the old iconic model giving thus a tribute to the best traditions of watchmaking art and aesthetic and technical principles of the company's artisans.

The in-house movement has been created together with the Geneva School - Ecole d'Horlogerie (EHG). This version is smaller than the LUC 06.01-L caliber that was also developed in partnership with this School of Horology and presented in 2010 as part of the LUC Louis-Ulysse Chopard The Tribute designer watch, which was released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chopard. This new caliber has 38 mm in diameter and is equipped with bridges decorated in the «Côtes de Genève» style. It beats at the frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and has approximately 60 hours of power reserve. The movement includes 20 jewels. This model is COSC certified as a chronometer and marked with the Poinçon de Genève standard.

This piece of luxury watches is presented in polished platinum case, the diameter of which is 44 mm, and its thickness is 11.5 mm. The rounded lines of the case in combination with contrast design of the white dial stylized as a porcelain, and unique LUC «Dauphine-fusée» form of blued hands create an unmatched visual harmony. These centre hands show the hours and minutes, and a small counter at the 9 o'clock position displays seconds. Functions are operated by the winding crown located at the right side of the case at the 3 o'clock position. It is engraved with the brand's logo “Chopard – LUC”. In addition, this Swiss watch is equipped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and also a transparent sapphire case back that allows to observe the work of luxuriously decorated movement. Its water resistance is up to the depth of 50 meters. The model comes with a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap with cognac-color lining and a clasp made of platinum. It is a limited edition of just 50 copies. Without any doubts, this high-end watch is a wonderful gift for the true connoisseurs of classical watchmaking art!

Restoring And Repairing Affordable Watches

Affordable watches that require work especially ones that may not have a particularly high resale value can present a problem, you may find yourself in the situation of not being sure if your cash is better spent on a new watch. I have been in this situation recently with three watches, one was an Rotary quartz watch given to me in 1998, another was the best bargain eBay find I have had so far – a Citizen quartz watch for £1.20 – and the third was a pocket watch my father asked me to enquire about.

All of these watches required work of varying degrees (some found to be far worse than previously thought) and all presented different associated costs and decisions about the value of any repairs. I thought I would write a short blog post about these decisions and the reasons behind my choices and why cost is not always the primary deciding factor.

All of the work quoted for and any work done was completed by an independent repairer called Vintage Time Repairs , this is a one-man band based in Maidstone in Kent. A perfectly competent, affable and knowledgable watchmaker whom I can heartily recommend.

Citizen

This was a bargain eBay find that ran well and looked good (albeit after some cleaning, clean your straps people!). The only downside was an extensively scratched mineral crystal. I was quoted £15 for a replacement including fitting. This was a no-brainer. I had paid £1.20 for the watch, making a grand total of £16.20, not bad for any watch with a new crystal in it! This is a good example of a simple decision on affordable watch repairs (if only all of them could be this easy), the next one is slightly more complex and more costly than expected.

Rotary

First some background, I have talked about this before but for a brief recap. I only relatively recently came to watch collecting and though having owned watches in the past I was not as careful or appreciative of them as I am now. This leads me to the Rotary, a watch that was given to me for my 18th birthday and was my first expensive (in comparison at the time) watch. During my youth this watch was abused and neglected, it had the crystal changed once and when I broke it again it was left languishing in its box. Now travel forward to six months ago and I wanted to resurrect this watch. Rotary had quoted me an eye watering £120 to change the crystal and as a result I had decided not to proceed. It was a shame as I had been quite keen to bring that watch back to life but felt that was excessive for a mineral crystal.

About three months ago I found the aforementioned independent watchmaker, so in the Rotary went for a quote, oh dear. Not only did it need new glass but in my irresponsible youth I had not considered what the effect of leaving a battery sitting inside it for all those years was likely to do. It turned out it need a whole new movement as acid from a leaking battery had put pay to the old one. It had also stained a small section of the watch face, this was something I could live with and I thought it would add character and a reminder of youthful neglect. So what was the cost and was it worth proceeding with? I was quoted £60 to change the crystal and fit a new movement, in all honestly that was probably more than the watch was worth and certainly I would be able to get a similar watch for less. But here is the kicker, the watch was engraved and given to me by my grandmother who unfortunately is no longer with us, in that respect the sentimental value outstrips the financial. So I chose to get the Rotary repaired, if you were being purely logical you would have classified the watch as uneconomical to replace, but what price is a memory?

Pocket Watch

Two down and one to go, grand total of £75 at this point.

I do not own any pocket watches, not that I am adverse to them, I just have not felt the need at this point to collect them. My father however does own a few, he is not an avid collector, he has just picked a couple of vintage ones up on his travels. He primarily enjoys their aesthetic value and is not overly fussed if they run, he obviously would prefer them to be usable but is still happy to own them if they are not.

Knowing I was sending two watches in for repairs he asked if they could have a look at one of his pocket watches. It was a Robert John Pike (RJP) Silver pocket watch from around 1880, with some damage to the watch face. Little else was known about it other than it did not run at all. It turns out that unfortunately there was damage to the escapement and with the age of the watch any replacement parts would have to be hand made, it was no problem, the work could be done but it was going to cost at a minimum of £100 and realistically that figure would be likely to increase. This like the Rotary presented a problem. A quick scan of similar RJP watches online indicated that for around £100 you could get a running watch without a damaged face (one that may need a service but functionally working). So what to do? After a short discussion with my father a decision was made that if a watch could be purchased in better condition and working for a similar amount of money, that would be a better use of the funds. Had that watch been an heirloom or had a known history attached to it, it is quite possible that there would be a watchmaker on a lathe in Maidstone constructing parts as I write. Our personal experiences definitely add value to items and our own personal provenance is very powerful.

Two Repaired One Down But Not Out

Three affordable watches, two repaired and one left to adorn a display cabinet, to be polished from time to time. You can look at all watch repairs as an investment calculation, if I repair this watch it will be worth x or I won't repair this watch as the cost of y is more than z . For the most part this is probably the best way to go, but for a lot (I hope the majority) of collectors a watch can be more than the sum of its parts, it can tell a story. And if that story is strong enough then maybe the value of the story is where the real cost comparison should be made.

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