Archive for July, 2007

The new stainless steel hype started..


The new stainless steel hype started..

Until recently, there was a waiting list for the Submariner LV. These Submariners are easy to get now, the prices on the grey market have gone down to list price and the watches are sitting behind the windows of the authorized dealer again. However, the authorized dealers have set-up new waiting lists for the new stainless steel GMT-Master II and the Millgaus. At the grey market dealers, the new GMT-Master II watches fetch around 6K (Euro) and the list price will be around 5300 Euro. Some premium has to be paid to be one of the first owners of this watch. However, seeing pictures of a German meet&greet of Rolex collectors (www.r-l-x.de) it is obvious that people are able to get one fairly easy

Velatura Ocean Racer by SEIKO


Velatura Ocean Racer by SEIKO

Wow Seiko’s new Velatura line is actually pretty good looking. Here is a shot of the new Seiko Velatura Ocean Racer with their Kinetic Direct Drive movement. See more of their new Velatura collection at Seiko.

LVMH Watches and Jewelry Up 17% for Half-Year


LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group, reported Thursday revenues of 7.4 billion euros ($10.1 billion), a 6 percent increase during the same period of the prior year. Its net profit increased by 2 percent to 834 million euros ($1.1 billion) for the period.

All business groups enjoyed double-digit organic revenue growth, with results particularly good in Europe, the United States, and Asia, the Paris-based company said. However, while sales are strong for all of its products throughout the world, growth in revenues and net profits were hampered by the weakness of the dollar and the yen against the Euro. Not taking currency fluctuations into account, the company’s revenue growth was 12 percent for the period.

Fortunoff Names Sensale to Top Marketing Post


Fortunoff has appointed Bernie Sensale to be its new chief marketing officer. Sensale most recently was senior vice president, Marketing at Zale Corp.  

Sensale’s expertise is in the areas of marketing, merchandising, and e-commerce. He joined Zale’s in 1995 as vice president of Marketing & Merchandise Planning for the Bailey Banks & Biddle division and integrated the Piercing Pagoda brand into the company. Prior to joining Zale Corp., he was vice president, General Merchandise manager for Ames Department Stores and held various merchandising positions at Caldor’s and Macy’s.

Wristwatch by RICHARD MILLE and PHILIPPE STARCK


Watchmaker Philippe Starck has designed a new watch with Richard Mille for the “Only Watch” auction that is organized by Antiquorum. The Only Watch auction will be held on Thursday September 20, 2007 in Monaco. All proceeds will go to a Duchenne muscular dystrophy charity. On a side note I just noticed that Philippe Starck also designed the new Fossil watch I featured earlier this month.

Franck Muller USA Wins Court Battle


Franck Muller USA, Inc., the exclusive authorized importer and wholesale distributor of Franck Muller watches in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, is claiming victory in a trademark and copyright infringement court battle with Elini Designs.

In a statement, Franck Muller USA said that a federal court in Manhattan has issued final judgments in a settlement agreement between the parties, "which bars Elini Designs Corp. and Elini BVBA, and their owners, from manufacturing, importing, selling, or otherwise distributing any watch bearing Franck Muller trademarks, copyrights or designs throughout the territory."

Lumi Terra for Women by SUUNTO


The new Suunto Lumi Terra is the first Suunto watch just for women. It has an altimeter, barometer and compass like most of the Suunto lineup. It also has a sunset and sunrise function and a personal day counter. To appeal to women they make it in ten different strap colors. It costs between $300-$350 and will be available September 1 2007 at Suunto.

Pomerantz Named WFDB Roving Ambassador


Howard M. Pomerantz, executive vice president of Gem Certification & Assurance Laboratory, has been appointed by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses as roving ambassador for the WFDB Mark.

Pomerantz was named as the special envoy to the WFDB Executive Committee by WFDB President Ernie Blom. As roving ambassador, Pomerantz will concentrate on developing and presenting an Associate Membership program during an upcoming international tour of the 26 WFDB bourses worldwide.

Luminor 1950 Submersible Depth Gauge by OFFICINE PANERAI


Luminor 1950 Submersible Depth Gauge by OFFICINE PANERAI

Officine Panerai originally supplied the first divers’ watches and depth gauges to the Italian Navy back in the 1950′s. Now Panerai has created the Luminor 1950 Submersible Depth Gauge, which combines both measuring devices in one instrument. This divers’ watch has an automatic movement which is officially certified as a chronometer by the (C.O.S.C.). On top of the chronometer certification the depth gauge calibration has also been individually tested by the Swiss Federal Office for Metrology (METAS). The 47mm case is made of titanium and is water-resistant to 120m. The depth gauge operates from what is essentially an independent movement that is electronic for extreme accuracy and reliablitiy. The depth gauge is actually powered by a lithium battery and can be activated by a push-piece at 10 o’clock. The gauge even has a memory function to record your depth. This is a really nice watch with some really cool features. ….

Updates on the Steiner Limited watches


Updates on the Steiner Limited watches

Steiner Limited watches, one of the few Dutch watch brands, have a new price tag as per 1 July 2007. One year after the introduction, the original (introduction) prices have gone up a bit. However, when purchasing a Steiner Limited you will also get a leather watch winder, a one-time opportunity to exchange the dial (with another color), to have the caseback engraved and to request a specific number from the 50 pieces of each limited watch (IF still available). Additionally, Steiner will always take the watch back if you want to exchange it for another watch.