Sometimes, you run into some brands that your friends have not heard of and they are not really on the compass of many watch collectors. Don’t let this discourage you from picking up a cool piece from time to time. Many small watch outfits can produce some outstanding pieces that are a fraction of the price you would pay for a real “recognized” brand. Nomos, RGM, Luminox etc. all have some fun watches that can fit the bill if trying to save a couple bucks. On this years trip to Basel I will highlight some of these “Off Brands” . CTWG

Photo: CT/CTWG

If you think pushing it to the next year for an overhaul makes sense, check the picture. The oscillating wheel has touched down and started scrapping. The pivot went kaputski and started to let the rotor hit and HIT. This causes small pieces of metal to go through the movement. Get that watch checked on occasion, it will save you bucks in the long run! CTWG.

So you have just purchased the new 8500 series from Omega Watch Co. and you love the look and the feel of the Aqua Terra sporting the new Proprietary movement. Well, excellent, I love the watch and new movement series also! The question of the day is, why is the vibrations per hour lower on the new series being 25,200 A/h to the standard automatic watches at 28,800 A/h? I found this odd and decided to ask a watch making expert Chris Travelstead. “Chris said it is true that often times more vibrations per hour will produce better accuracy, but the proper handling of vibrations is of the utmost importance. If your balance is too fast for your escapement you can run into problems.” So, that what has been done with the new Co-Axial and the 8500 blend, it works in perfect harmony, enjoy!

Thinking of a nice watch to drop a hint for the Holidays, but don’t want to break the bank? Hamilton GMT model Khaki Air Racer is the ticket! Retails $1075.00 and has many bells and whistles needed for the watch jones. The hours for the second time zone are inside the center of the dial and the cities can be turned and rotated to adjust timezones. Really, really good buy!

Pictured Tag Monaco “Calibre 12″ Really a plain Jane ETA 2892-A2 movement!

Often times you see Panerai Caliber whatever, and Tag Heuer Caliber whatever and it rings as the truth to the customer purchasing the watch. Wow, I just bought and extra special mechanism and it is going to be the envy of all the watch fanatics I run into. Then, the lid is flipped you see upon close inspection that the “fine” watch making company has popped a good old ETA movement in the back and changed the oscillator! This is common practice the renaming of movements and taking them as their own in the watch business. Masters of this game include Breitling, Tag, and Panerai. Just keep an eye on the product and ask the watch salesperson whats under the Calibre/Caliber! Chronometer grade, yes, fine product and should be used, yes. Special, no. CTWG

Pennsylvania watchmaker Roland Murphy creates a new Tourbillon! The Master Of guilloché turns his hand to the art of Toubillon making with the construction of the complicated gravity fighting movement. Highlighted in this months copy of Horological times, he gives the step by step of the process! Don’t miss it. “This will be the first serially-produced American Tourbillon watches ever made.” This will be Proprietary caliber works from Roland a very big deal to watch geeks in America! Congrats Roland for keeping Pennsylvania watch making alive. CTWG

It looks as if the first posts and pictures have made it from the Basel watch show. Rolex watch fanatics can get a picture up quicker than anybody! A new Sea Dweller Deep Sea has surfaced, and what looks like a white gold Submariner blue on blue. I will be there Monday to check the new goods out, look forward to sending info your way soon. CTWG

Limited edition is not typically associated with Victorinox (Swiss Army), but this could be the best beater watch you ever owned. $1395.00 and only 900 pieces!! Can’t beat this beater. Here is the run down.

* Swiss-made self-winding mechanical movement (Mecaline 2896 11), 42-hour power reserve
* 43mm case with see-through scres-in sapphire crystal exhibition caseback
* Water resistant to 500 meter (50 ATM)
* Scratch-resistant, anti-reflection sapphire crystal
* Luminous hands and hour markers
* Screw-down crown
* Big date calendar
* Military time
* Helium valve
* Unidrectional rotating bezel with electrolumniscent material
* Anthracite dial
* Titanium case and bracelet with off-black PVD treatment, double-locking deployant clasp with diver extension
* Special Collector’s Box Packaging
* Numbered Certificate of Authenticity
* 900 timepieces issued worldwide
* This fine Limited Edition timepiece is covered by a 5 year warranty
* Available December 2007

See enlarged version
See restored version.

Okay, so a guy on vacation looses a gifted G.M.T. Master while swimming in Half Moon Bay, Antigua. The lost watch takes up residence on the ocean floor for two years thrashing to and fro. Along swims a Frenchman, who finds the watch on his dive. In a fine demonstration of upstanding character, he returns it to Rolex London. Rolex London consults the Rolex service records and discovers the original buyer was the swimmer’s brother. They contact the brother. In another display of upstanding character, the big brother has the watch re-conditioned and re-gifts it back to his brother with a little sage advice, “Don’t lose it this time.” Check out the before/after pics folks; the G.M.T. doesn’t even have the triple lock crown and the movement is perfect. CTWG

What makes a watch strap $50, $100, $150 more than another watch strap. The craft of leather strapmaking is limited to a few fine leather shops. I believe Hermes takes the prize for the finest straps produced in the watch industry. Check out the real art of strap making. CTWG