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.

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!

(Front: Fake Planet Ocean 45mm. Back: The real deal!)

This Orange Bezel Planet Ocean came across my case the other day ago and I had to take a second close look, before knowing it was a FAKE!  Be very careful with second hand purchases, the Omega fake products are outstanding (In a Bad way).  Look at the overall appearance of the piece, not your average junk fake. It appears these are still produced in China, Thailand etc., but they have pushed the bar a bit!  Have an authorized watch guy look at a purchase when second hand, you may take the plunge on some of these new Planet Ocean fakes! CTWG

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

Sometimes it appears that you have the world by the tail on a down hill haul and then it backfires on you? Panerai watches case in point, had one of the hottest watches on the market for years and now has taken a huge plummet down the watch scale ranks. Why? First, production, scarcity sells watches. The fewer watches you have out on the market (that have desirability) the better. From it’s meager beginnings till now Panerai has probably quadrupled its production. Secondly, change, it can be good and bad. New bracelet styles and mass production techniques brought about by this brand really have hurt them. Thirdly, collect ability, aspects of the line that made Panerai special are still there, but a solid 18k gold watch with a ETA 6497 display back do not make things special. So what we have learned, less is more, don’t cheapen your product and make limited pieces just that “Limited” CTWG

Longiness puts it on the line! Swatch brand longiness has launched an official on-line store? Seems to be the thing to do, but is it the way of the future? Probably not, watch companies really are not trying to sell watches on-line for the most part. They could sell some pieces and it is easy to launch, still they want to highlight product, have you look at it and push you to a dealer for real service. Trending in this direction will continue, read more at Wristwatchreview.com.CTWG

You ever find that brand that really does not stand out, but holds its own pound for pound? Cyma would be that brand, always on the Swiss watch radar, yet, running low key and reasonable. Cyma, like the Swiss, is respected, quiet and in the middle of the watch groups. The brand never surfaces too high or too low. Check them out, I guarantee there is a model you would like. It won’t be your favorite watch, but you will get tons of wear from it, with sound results. CTWG

“Glashutte Original once again takes the high demands of its customers into consideration; now premiering the Sport Evolution GMT at this year’s Baselworld, yet another attractive model added to the brand’s striking sports watch line. In developing this model, the designers concentrated on the needs of the modern traveler and realized them in a sporty watch. Thus, the new Sport Evolution GMT with two sweep time zones from the center was developed, a timepiece that can easily serve as a constant companion in all of life’s situations. Additionally, further time zones can be set and read by the rotating the bezel. The Sport Evolution GMT also builds a bridge between innovation, functionality, precision, and striking aesthetics, like the other models of the line, whether it is worn for business, leisure, sport, or any other special event.”

This is a big thumbs up from the watch guy, Sport Evolution was a big hit, the G.M.T. also will be sure to sell like wild fire. With only one real sport style to their name, it truly a nice offering from Glashutte, we all hope to see more sport watches out of the little Germany town in the future. CTWG

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