Luxury Watch Blog

We all think that Clockmakers and Watchmakers are the same! But after you read this think again!
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. A contemporary, well-trained clockmaker today is more likely to be able to repair a clock than to actually build or manufacture a clock from scratch. In the strict sense of the word Clockmaker should only be used to somebody who makes clocks, while other should more properly refer to as “Clockrepairers”. A qualified Clockmakers can typically design a missing piece for a clock without access to the original component and manufacture many of the parts found in a clock.

A clockmaker, as the name implies, works primarily on clocks, not watches. Some clockmakers work on watches, but the skills and tools needed to work on a clock are not always applicable when working on a watch.

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Horology is the study of the science and art of timekeeping devices. Clocks, watches, and marine chronometers are examples of instruments used to measure time. The name of the study is derived from the Latin word hora, meaning “hour” but can be taken to mean “time” or season.

People interested in horology are called horologists. That term is used both by people who deal professionally with timekeeping apparatus (watchmakers, clockmakers), as well as aficionados and scholars of horology. Horology and horologists have numerous organizations, both professional associations and more scholarly societies.

Horological libraries

Horology has a long history and there are many museums and several specialised libraries devoted to the subject. An example is the Royal Greenwich Observatory, which is also the source of the Prime Meridian (longitude 0° 0′ 0″), and the home of the first marine timekeepers accurate enough to determine longitude (made by John Harrison). One of the more comprehensive museums dedicated to horology is the Musée international d’horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland). One of the better horological museums in Germany is the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum. The two leading specialised horological museums in North America are the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania, and the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, Connecticut.

One of these companies is Movado who are proud makers of Movado Watches

One of the most comprehensive horological libraries open to the public is the National Watch and Clock Library in Columbia, PA (USA).

Breitling is a brand of Swiss watches from the Canton of Jura. The watchmaker offers Certified Chronometers designed primarily for aviation use, though most frequently worn as high-end luxury watches. Breitling’s watches offer aviation functions, though their chronograph functions have become more of status symbols than practically applied tools. They typically have a large face (e.g. the Breitling for Bentley Motors edition has a 48 mm Case Diameter) for better visibility and to allow display of more information on the analog dials. Many other models feature an automatic winding mechanism that is purely mechanical (i.e. using no electronic components). A lot of Breitling watches are equipped with additional functions such as the flyback function, split-second, moon phase, date display and other complications.

All Breitling watches are manufactured in Switzerland and are made from Swiss components. Raw movements are obtained from ETA and Valjoux and are modified in the Breitling Chronometrie Workshops (former Kelek S.A.) before undergoing extreme COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certification.

Quartz models such as the Breitling Aeromarine Colt start at $1,650.00, while typical prices of mechanical, steel cased models are $7,300 (US) for the Breitling for Bentley Motors model. The expense is clearly in the 38 jewel self-winding movement as these steel cased models are more expensive than some of Breitling’s Titanium or Gold models. Some special edition models also include diamonds on various parts of the watch.

Breitling was a sponsor of Team Bentley during their Le Mans 24 Hours campaign, running from 2001-2003. To commemorate this event, Breitling created the Limited Edition Breitling Bentley 24 Le Mans Watch .

The Breitling Navitimer

Breitling Navitimer wristwatch with circular slide rule.

In the 1940s, Breitling added a circular slide rule to the bezel of their chronograph models for use by aircraft pilots. This became the famous Navitimer model. During the 1950s and 1960s, a version of the Navitimer was offered by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association with the AOPA logo on the dial.

In 1961, Scott Carpenter, one of the original astronauts in the Mercury space program, approached Breitling with idea of incorporating a 24 hour dial instead of the normal 12 hour dial. This was needed because of the lack of day and night during space travel. Breitling complied, and produced the 24 hour Navitimer which Carpenter wore on his 1962 space flight. Breitling then proceeded to produce the 24 hour version as the so-called Cosmonaute Navitimer - under both Breitling and AOPA logos.

The Breitling Emergency

Breitling Emergency

The Breitling Emergency version contains a radio transmitter for civil aviation use which broadcasts on the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and serves as a back-up for ELT-type airborne beacons. (For military users, Breitling has equipped the Emergency with a miniaturized transmitter operating on the 243 MHz military frequency.) Under normal conditions-flat terrain or calm seas-the signal can be picked up at a range of up to 90 nautical miles (167 km) by search aircraft flying at 20,000 feet (6,000 m). As of 1 February 2009, the Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System will no longer monitor the 121.5/243 MHz frequency; however, the signal transmitted by the Emergency was never strong enough to be picked up by satellite, and Breitling has announced that, as these frequencies will still be monitored by aviation, particularly during the localization phase of a rescue attempt, there are no plans to modify the signal’s frequency.

We still like Movado Watches 

In an incident that demonstrates how the Emergency can be used to save lives, Reuters reports that two British pilots, Squadron Leader Steve Brooks and Flight Lieutenant Hugh Quentin-Smith, crashed their helicopter in Antarctica and were rescued after activating their Breitling Emergency transmitter watches. The two pilots were in their lifeboat when a Chilean Otter aircraft found them after homing in on signals from their watches.

The Emergency is available for customers who do not hold a pilot’s licence, but they must sign an agreement stating that they will bear the full costs of a rescue intervention should they trigger the distress beacon. The model was heavily advertised by the Breitling Orbiter 3-both Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard were wearing the Emergency. Also, Bear Grylls wears an Emergency with yellow face and rubber strap in many episodes of Man vs. Wild.

Baselworld Watch and Jewelry Show is a trade show for the watch and jewelry industry organized annually in the city of Basel, Switzerland. The international show unites about 2,100 exhibitors from over 45 countries, including the leading watch and jewelry brands, as well as companies specializing in precious gems. The exhibitors display their latest products to the industry’s experts, mass media representatives, watch collectors and connoisseurs, just everyone interested in the most recent industry novelties.

Visitors of the show get acquainted with an exclusive range of products. The exhibition area covers more than 160,000 m2 with different halls situated on several floors. Products are divided in specialized sectors placed in six exhibition halls - Hall of Universe, Hall of Elements, Hall of Visions, etc. The Baselworld management takes care of updating the halls’ design.. In 2007 the Hall of Dreams has been entirely redecorated.

Watch and jewelry companies and other brands related to the industry exhibit their products in their own halls. Baselworld also comprises national pavilions. The show provides a thorough market overview and offers the participants a suitable business platform for discovering new opportunities and finding new partners. Baselworld traditionally takes place in spring. The show attracts over 94,000 visitors, with retailers and wholesalers from different parts of the world. Show visitors get surrounded by business and networking atmosphere and become aware of the latest industry trends and innovations.

BaselWorld Village

The event’s participants may also visit the Baselworld Village located in the neighborhood. The ‘village’ provides special facilities, including bars and restaurants, lounges and outdoor areas where partners may discuss their business matters in a cozy atmosphere. The Baselworld Village is open every evening from 6 pm to 2 am during the exhibition. To visit the ‘village’, the show participants have to take a 10-minute journey by taxi, tram or bus.

History

The history of the show dates back to 1917 when there was established the first ‘Schweizer Mustermesse Basel’(MUBA in short) with a special section devoted to watches and jewelery. In 1925 MUBA organized the show which included several watch manufacturers, while in 1931 there appeared the first ‘Schweizer Uhrenmesse-Swiss Watch Show’ in a specialized pavilion. The year 1972 marked an important event in the history of the exhibition - MUBA held ‘Europe’s meeting place’ exhibition which gathered the companies from France, Italy, Germany, and United Kingdom.

In 1983 the show changed its name - it was called BASEL plus two numerals denoting the exhibition year - BASEL 83. Basel 86 included companies from outside Europe, having resulted in the increased number of visitors coming from outside Europe.

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Formed in 1917, Rado initially produced watch movements only. In 1957 the company launched its first collection of watches under the Rado brand. In 1962 the Rado Diastar Original, the world’s first scratch-proof watch, was launched. It has been in production ever since.

In 1983 Rado became part of the SMH group which was renamed in 1998 as the Swatch Group.

Signature

Rado differs from some of the more traditional Swiss watchmakers in that it uses unconventional precious materials to achieve a more futuristic look. Rado has pioneered the use of a number of these materials, e.g., high-tech diamonds, ceramics, lanthanum and sapphire crystal. Many of Rado’s products include the use of steel & gold in harmony with high tech materials to allow for affordability to end consumers while enjoying the scratch resistant material.

Other than the material, Rado watches also look very different from most other makers. The company is more adventurous in constructing the shape of its watches than their competition. Market reaction to this is generally mixed, with some preferring the look of the more traditional makers, and others appreciating the more distinct Rado look.

Ambassadors

Like many watch companies, Rado watches have high-profile personalities that advertise the brand in various ways. However, Rado differs from many other makers as its ambassadors are less recognisable to the general public than usual. Rado even uses this fact itself as an advertisement. According to its website: “To choose a brand ambassador is not an easy task - at least not when a brand is looking for much more than just a popular and beautiful face to represents its values.”

As of 2007, Rado’s ambassadors are:

* Tommy Haas, German tennis player

* Jan, Mexican actor, singer and TV host

* Zhang JingChu, Chinese actress

* Renata Litvinova, Russian film director and actress

* Nobu Matsuhisa, American owner of high-end restaurant chain Nobu

* Shahid Afridi, Pakistani Cricketer

* Lisa Ray, Indian actress and model

* Rachel Tan, Malaysian model, Miss Malaysia Chinese International 2003

Pricing

Rado watches vary in pricing according to model, age and materials but generally a Rado will range from about US$400 for a lower tier model to about US$3,000 for a watch made from the more precious materials.

Trivia

* One of artist Andy Warhol’s last projects was the painting of Rado watches. An example of one of these paintings

* Rado advertises itself as the inventor of scratch-proof watches

* Nepal’s communist leader Prachanda has an affliction for Rado Watches. This is actually taken in Nepal as a welcome sign of normalization. In this case as power corrupted and bought backs to normality a politician, who led Nepal to its bloodiest war ever.

From all of us here have a great Holiday!

And never forget Movado Watches rule!

Hello Everyone!

Things are really confusing this holiday! So many choices and it’s so hard to choose! So we have decided to show you some of our suggestions tell us what you think about them!

Dress Watches
Sleek Watches

And of course Movado Watches