Tag: Mechanical Watch
Swiss Army Watches – Do They Live Up To The Hype?
by on Jun.21, 2010, under Dress Watches, Military Watches, Sport and Dive Watches
One of the most recognizable and well respected brands in the world is ‘Swiss Army’, but it seems that they are far better known for their knives than their watches. Switzerland as a country has always been known for its precision, elegance and beauty, and the fact that the Swiss government itself has a hand in making these products suggests that they are serious about making them as best as they can.
Unlike some watch companies, there is a huge variation of Swiss Army watches available at the moment – from waterproof watches that allow you to dive up to 100m deep with them, to Swiss Army automatic watches that automatically change in conjunction with daylight saving. While make watches that were designed to be worn with elegant suits and tuxedos, they also make timepieces that look far more casual that could be worn with anything, so there’s definitely a large variety available and something for everyone.
These watches are often identified by the white cross over a red background (which is the same logo as their knives have) and throughout the years, it has become a symbol of quality and precision. Swiss Army celebrated its 125th year in business recently, and although the event was very much a look back at many of their successes, it was also a look forward to a no-doubt bright future.
One of the main successes of the company is the special edition watches that they produce every few years (for both men and women). Only a handful (i.e. less than 200) of these limited edition timepieces are ever produced at any one time, so the demand for them is always high (as are the prices).
The standard Swiss Army mens watches start somewhere between $200 and $240, with more expensive models breaking the thousand-dollar mark. It is important to note that while these watches are expensive, they are supposed to be something that you can keep for years to come, so in fact, this is more of a one-time investment than something you do every few years (which is the average lifespan of many inferior watches).
One interesting thing about these watches is that they are only ever available in analogue format (i.e. with the hands pointing at numbers) and that they have never made a digital watch. That being said, they do include many of the features that typical digital watches have (such as a date and month reminder and a stopwatch) so you are really not missing much at all.
It is not only men that Swiss Army makes timepieces for, but women too. Most women like the idea of wearing a watch more as a fashion accessory than as a practical and useful object, and it seems that they fully understand that. By this I mean that their selection of lades watches are stylish and right up to date with the fashion trends of today, and each one retains the famous red and white logo that is now almost a fashion icon in itself.
The basic Swiss watch was designed with the adventurous person in mind, which is why they are suited to those that like to get outdoors. As I previously mentioned, many of them are waterproof (meaning you can go swimming with them on) and lots of them also have a tiny light inside of them so that you can see them in the dark. This type of watch is perfect for those that are frequently out in the dark (such as fishermen and hunters).
Their most popular model currently on the market is the men’s Chrono Classic watch, which can be bought from Amazon.com for around $330.00. It is part of the Victorinox Swiss Army range, and has a classic stainless steel look to it. It is water resistant up to 330 feet and feature luminous hands that glow in the dark.
Their second most popular selling timepiece at the moment is the Class Chronograph Brown Dial watch, which is available for around $275.00. This watch has a fairly more subtle look, as it features a brown leather strap and a slightly less vibrant face. It has a date display that can be easily set by pressing the buttons on the side and twisting the dial, and it is the perfect watch for anyone looking to get started.
The most popular ladies Swiss Army watches on the market are the Victorinox Cavalry watches, which can be found for around $250.00 each. This timepiece has a far more feminine feel about it, as it does not have the same loud and brash features as its male counterparts. Made in Switzerland, it has a scratch resistant screen that is easy to read thanks to the large numbers. Another really popular watch is the Wenger Commando Watch. This is really tough and great for the outdoors. If money is no object and you are looking for the world’s toughest watch, then the CX Swiss Military is the right one for you.
Overall, Swiss Army watches are some of the finest on the entire market, and if you are looking for accuracy and durability these will provide you with everything you will ever need.
Related Posts:
Breitling Navigator Products, Things to Know About Products for Professionals
by on Feb.10, 2010, under Mechanical Watch, Sport and Dive Watches
The Breitling Cosmonaute
First and Foremost, Breitling does not service products purchased online, as they estimate the vast majority of these are counterfeit. The unfortunate circumstances of this make getting a low price on Breitling time pieces almost impossible, as you will have to buy from an authorized dealer. The upside of that is unlike many products that you would buy online, this you will get to see and try on in person, and you will know for sure that you really love it before it arrives on your doorstep. With the trusted reputation and variety of products Breitling has available, they are sure to offer what you are looking for and it will be something you enjoy for the rest of your life.
The Navitimer Line
There are eleven models in the Navitimer line, starting with the:
Navitimer- These hit the market originally in 1952, and have been a big hit ever since. Sporting a sleek design and attractive black leather band for the wrist, this piece also comes with a built circular slide rule for pilots to calculate flight plans with. This is the world’s oldest chronograph.
Navitimer World- The two distinguishing features of this time piece is that not only is it ten percent larger than the other products in this line, but it also is capable of charting two time zones, a handy feature for any pilot.
Cosmonaute- Made for service in space, today these are used also in the armed forces. The face on this product has a twenty four hour dial, avoiding the confusion between midnight and noon, as night and day have no real meaning in space.
Limited Edition Cosmonaut- Very similar to the piece mentioned above, but with a metal band bracelet and a retro styling to the face. Only a thousand of these will be made, and the lucky few who will own them will own a piece of history.
Montbrillant- A smaller face, about 38 mm as opposed to the usual larger sizes in the 40mm to 45mm range, this piece was crafted in mind of older times, the styling that was used in 1940, with the screw in back and the Breitling logo designed on the back. The 18 carat gold face is an attractive look as well.
Montbrillant Legende- Unlike its counterpart above, this large time piece by Breitling sports a 47mm 18 carat gold face, as well as a metal bracelet band, which makes it both considerably heavier as well as larger.
Montbrillant Olympus- Complete timing through the leap year cycle, this time piece is made up of almost two hundred fifty different components which makes it exceptionally accurate, as well as a nostalgically designed tool.
Montbrillant Datora- The uniqueness of the date and weekday display is beautiful, and the calendar month is also not only attractive but practical. An old favorite of Breitling, this piece is neither too gaudy nor too awkward.
Chrono-Matic 49-This 49mm self winding monster is a simpler piece compared to some of those mentioned above, but is no less legendary in quality to any of them. Chrono-Matic itself is a long standing tradition in Breitling, and remains so today.
Chrono-Matic 1461- The current model offered by Breitling, this time piece has a braided metal band for the wearer to enjoy. 49mm just like the model offered above, this model has its own unique look which was a surprise to me.
Chrono-Matic QP- This amazing piece of equipment has five hundred miniature moving pieces, and is immune to the effects of even the leap year, charting moon phases, times, dates, you name it. The only model to have the rubber comfort band, this model is capable of it all.
Other lines offered by Breitling are the Windrider line (featuring seven models), the Professional line (also featuring seven models), and the Aeromarine line (featuring a whopping sixteen models). With this many great products to offer the public, why not trust one of the best names in the chronograph business and enjoy a truly legendary time piece. More than mere watches, these can be an invaluable piece of equipment should you find yourself in a survival situation and it would then really be priceless, should your life ever be on the line.
Related Posts:
The Mechanical Watch vs. the Quarts Timepiece: What You Need to Know Before You Purchase
by on Jan.23, 2010, under Dress Watches, Mechanical Watch, Sport and Dive Watches
Ever since the advent of the quartz watches, people have been asking themselves which is better. To answer that question depends on what you prize in a watch, more accurate time keeping ability, or a more solid, heirloom like piece. Whichever you prefer, take a moment to learn a little about both types of watch and see for yourself which type is best for you or the person you are buying a watch for.
Why Buy a Watch, Don’t All Cell Phones Keep the Time?
Yeah they do, till the battery dies and you are stuck somewhere without any idea of time. Divers need quality watches, hikers should always keep one, no self respecting business man ever catches himself watch less, and farriers (that would be a person who shoes horses) always keep one hand as you always need to know if you are on schedule, so that you can let your appointments know if you will be on time or not or even if you are going to make it. You may have to take an injured animal’s pulse, and you can’t do that with a cell phone. Cell phones can be unbelievably fickle, and I can think of good reasons for everyone to have a watch handy, so ask yourself which side of the watch war you are on.
Quartz Watches: Pros and Cons
The pros to keeping a quartz watch are mainly the time is more accurate, with quartz watches losing as little as a second a week. They are said to be over sixty times as accurate as a mechanical watch, and require significantly less maintenance and care. They are much cheaper that the average mechanical watches, and you barely have to think about owning one at all. They can be found almost everywhere and have very few moving parts for things to go wrong with or for time to wear down.
The downside to quartz watches is that in the end, they are a cheap product and are simply not going to last the way a properly maintained mechanical watch is going to. No one hands a quartz watch down to their children in a will after they die, and even if they do know one is going to fight over dad’s old cheap watch. They are not an heirloom piece and no matter what you pay for one they never will be.
Mechanical Watches: Pros and Cons
The big plus to mechanical watches is their real quality. Not just any bozo can make a mechanical watch, and the craftsmanship is really impressive. These are heirloom pieces, real works of art, and anyone who leaves one to a favored relative or friend is leaving behind a real treasure, something that if properly maintained, can last for generations. If anything does go wrong with one, they are all moving parts, and one can usually be replaced with relative ease should it fail. They also stand cold much better than does quartz.
The cons to purchasing a mechanical watch is that they have to be wound, a lot, they are also expensive, and there are fewer of them due to quartz taking over the lower end watch market. In short, there are no cheap mechanical watches. They also have to be maintained regularly, at minimum every four years, and more if you do any sort of outdoor activity with the watch. Get ready to be on first name terms with your jeweler, because if you own a mechanical watch you will be seeing a lot of the guy.
Related Posts:
-
Welcome to Swiss Watch Guide
You can also subscribe by email by filling the field below:
