26Oct 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Bovarro Moon 1969: To The Moon And Back

Bovarro Moon 1969: To The Moon And Back

News
Bovarro is not the first to dedicate a watch to the moon. Yet the fact that they drew inspiration from the Apollo 11 moon landing is actually the least interesting part of this watch, or should we say three watches? Bovarro offers the Moon 1969, as they named the watch, in three different versions. The Lunar series has an image of the moon at six o'clock. It is filled in with luminova, so quite spectacular to see at night. The dial is further quite traditional, but the second's hand with the big arrow is a nice detail. Compared to the other models I am not a fan of the date function in this one. It seems a bit lost on the dial and points it out as well with its…
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24Oct 2016 by Martin Green 1 Comment
Affordable at Auction: Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. E109

Affordable at Auction: Jaeger-LeCoultre ref. E109

Affordable at Auction
Now, this doesn't sound promising, but even at an auction titled: Rare Watches including Nautilus 40 Part II, and held by Christie's in Geneva, you can find an affordable watch. Between many rare Rolex, Speedmaster's and even a Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon, there was one watch that stood out by its looks and estimate. It was a Jaeger-LeCoultre reference E109. This particular E109 was made in 1947, so relatively quick after WWII. With its military-styled dial featuring luminous Arabic numerals, railroad track, and large six-eater, topped off with sword hands, it is not that difficult to imagine this watch on the wrist of an officer during WWII. In fact, there is even a direct military reference to this watch, since the back of the case is engraved with "II…
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23Oct 2016 by Martin Green 2 Comments
Todd & Marlon Launches Dean Martin Exclusive Edition

Todd & Marlon Launches Dean Martin Exclusive Edition

News
It is rare for a micro brand to have a celebrity ambassador. It is especially rare when this ambassador is not an up and coming Instagrammer with just a high number of followers, but actually a superstar like Dean Martin. Yet New York-based watch brand Todd & Marlon, did just that and got the King of Cool as brand ambassador, or should we say inspiration? Dean Martin was a league of his own. Not only was he an extremely talented entertainer, but he was also very versatile. Most will remember him as part of the Ratpack with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., but next, to that, he was also a singer, stand-up comedian, and of course the host of The Dean Martin Show. Creating a fitting tribute to a…
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11Oct 2016 by Martin Green 1 Comment
1291 Swiss Mountain Trooper: Ready For Anything

1291 Swiss Mountain Trooper: Ready For Anything

News
A helicopter flies over the Swiss alps, landing just long enough to deploy a team of the Swiss army mountain infantry, who take immediately defensive positions. In a scenario like this, it is not difficult to imagine these soldiers would be wearing a Swiss Mountain Trooper made by 1291. Although 1291 is not the official supplier of watches to the Swiss Army, a soldier or officer might opt to one as their personal watch. Considered a micro-brand, 1291 is as Swiss as any of the big name brands. It prides itself on being designed, manufactured and assembled in Switzerland, and its name is a direct reference to the year Switzerland was founded as a country. Technically we would consider the Swiss Mountain Trooper a military watch, but its characteristics make…
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03Oct 2016 by Martin Green 6 Comments
5 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Micro Brand

5 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Micro Brand

Opinion
Micro brands have slowly, yet steadily eating up market share in the affordable watch market. They have become a respected alternative to the established brands, but there are a few things that are good to realize before you actually buy a watch from a micro brand. Scams are rare and can be avoided Most micro brands either sell through their own website or through a crowd funding page like of Indiegogo. In either case, you probably end up buying a watch you have never seen before in real life, and you part with the money before it is even being delivered. Although scams happen, they are quite rare, and you can build in a bit safety by doing your due diligence. First of all, most micro brand owners are known…
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29Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Affordable At Auction: Cartier Pasha C GMT

Affordable At Auction: Cartier Pasha C GMT

Affordable at Auction
Cartier is not really a brand many people think of when they hear the word "affordable". However, older models can sometimes be found for surprisingly low prices. A good example of this is the Pasha C GMT that Antiquorum is offering as lot 301 for their October 8th auction in New York City. They have set the estimate at US$ 1.000,-/ US$ 2.000,-. When introduced the Pasha C was the entry-level for the Pasha-collection. Don't take that "entry-level" too literally because Cartier didn't cut many corners when making it. The corner that they did cut is one you might actually be happy about. Instead of using Girard-Perregaux or Frederic Piguet movements, the Pasha C collection is powered by ETA-movements. Although this might disappoint hard-core Haute Horlogerie connoisseurs, it does provide…
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26Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Would You Rent Your Watch?

Would You Rent Your Watch?

News
The Swiss watch brand DuBois is nothing but original. They pioneered with direct sales to the public, opened up their brand for individual investors like you and me, and now they offer their watches for rent. They combine this entrepreneurial spirit with good old-fashioned watchmaking. Their watches are of a very good quality, quite original in design, and of course fully Swiss made. [caption id="attachment_1798" align="aligncenter" width="732"] Limited Edition Big Date, Small Seconds for 80 CHF per month[/caption] Renting a watch is an interesting concept, and DuBois is not the first to experiment with it, although they might be the first brand that does it on their own. You have to be a shareholder to participate, but when that hurdle is taken you can pretty much rent your choice of…
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25Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
The Revival Of Swiss Mechanical Watch Brand Votum

The Revival Of Swiss Mechanical Watch Brand Votum

News
When you want to start a watch brand there are two roads that you can take: you can start from scratch, or find a historic brand that is available. That is the route Votum took, and although they start from scratch as well, they have the brands history as inspiration. [caption id="attachment_1791" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Vintage Votum Divimat[/caption] The original Votum did not make it past adolescence. It was founded in 1962, but did not survive the quartz crisis of the 1970's. However, in that short period of time, it did create watches impressive enough to make an impression on Rolf Bodmer, a designer and graphic artist from Zurich, and François Zahnd, a watch manufacturer and industry expert from Biel. The combined forces and revived Votum. I would have said to its…
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21Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
Hamilton’s New Broadway Collection Hits The Stores

Hamilton’s New Broadway Collection Hits The Stores

News
Already announced at Baselworld, but now the new Hamilton Broadway collection is in the stores. One of the things that I personally like much about the brand is that fun and affordable go hand in hand, while you still get a build quality you expect from a Swiss made watch. A Hamilton rarely disappoint at its price level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHeRNIJETwU The Broadway is no difference. The collection starts with a 40mm quartz powered day-date, priced at CHF 550,-. A nice watch that based on its size I would deem uni-sex, yet the day-date takes the design of the watch a bit off-balance. It is placed very clearly legible at three o'clock, but by doing so it also cuts into the stunning dial that all the Broadway models share. [caption id="attachment_1757" align="aligncenter"…
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20Sep 2016 by Martin Green No Comments
New Series: Affordable At Auction

New Series: Affordable At Auction

Affordable at Auction, News
When most people think about affordable watches, they think of new watches with an affordable price tag. But ever since we started Watchisthis?! Magazine, we have also focused on watches that where initially out of the price range of the magazine when new, but used it is a whole different story and a good way to find them is at an auction. In the latest issue of Watchisthis?! Magazine you could read for example about two prime examples. First Hublot, a brand that does not come cheap. But when you go for a used model, from when Hublot just started, you can get the famed look for pennies on the dollar. The same can be said of vintage watches. In the last issue of Watchisthis?! Magazine, we highlighted Gerald Genta's…
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