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SLAP Testing Watch Industry Marketing

October 31, 2021 By Stephen Leave a Comment

If you’ve listened to The Watch Files podcast or read much here at Grail Watch, you’ve undoubtedly heard me refer to industry folklore. Clever stories are often repeated in forums, articles, and conversations, but they are often not entirely true. Then there’s the industry marketing machine, pushing surprising narratives and a-list connections with little grounding in reality. Let’s take a moment to consider the ways that folklorists spot false information and apply these watch industry marketing.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: Anordain, Concepto, Furlan Marri, H. Moser & Cie., Kickstarter, Kurono Tokyo, marketing, Ming, Panerai, Philippe Dufour, Podcast, Positive Coating, Rolex, Swiss Made

The Fall and Rise of Zenith, 1969-1988

March 3, 2021 By Stephen Leave a Comment

Zenith was “the first manufacture”, one of the greatest watch companies in Switzerland, and the economic force behind Le Locle. Then it was purchased by an American electronics company and ordered to destroy its mechanical watchmaking assets. This is the story of the mighty Zenith, brought low, and returning thanks to a machine tools baron, a humble watchmaker, and two other famous brands.

Filed Under: History, The Watch Files Tagged With: Charles Vermot, Chronomatic, Dixi, Ebel, El Primero, Georges Favre-Jacot, H. Moser & Cie., Le Locle, LVMH, Martel, Movado, Paul Buhré, Paul Castella, quartz, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, Tissot, Zenith, Zenith Defy, Zenith El Primero

In Praise of the Rolex Cellini Prince

February 25, 2021 By Stephen Leave a Comment

At Baselworld in 2005, Rolex introduced one of the most radical products in its history: The Cellini Prince was a high-end rectangular watch with a transparent caseback showing off a highly-decorated rectangular movement. The Cellini Prince was unlike anything else in the catalog, but did not find its way into the hearts of Rolex buyers and the line was cancelled in 2015. It’s time to give this model a closer look!

Filed Under: Commentary, Reviews Tagged With: Paraflex, Rolex, Rolex 7040, Rolex Cellini, Rolex Cellini Prince, Rolex Prince

What Was the World’s First Quartz Watch?

August 2, 2020 By Stephen 2 Comments

On Christmas Day, 1969, the Seiko Astron was launched; this was world’s first quartz wristwatch. Or at least that’s how the story goes. But the truth is much, much more complicated, as I have been researching and writing about for months. Only a few examples of that Cal. 35 SQ Astron were produced, and it was so expensive that not many were ever actually sold. And a raft of other watches (the CEH Beta 1, Longines Ultra-Quartz, various Beta 21 models, and even the Bulova Accuquartz) could make a credible claim. So what was the first?

Filed Under: History Tagged With: Armin Frei, Beta 1, Beta 21, Bulova, Bulova Accuquartz, CEH, Longines, Longines Ultra-Quartz, Rolex, Seiko, Seiko Astron

Why Are High-End Watches So Expensive?

February 28, 2020 By Stephen Leave a Comment

When people learn about my interest in watches, the conversation eventually turns to cost. Why pay so much for a watch? This is especially true once they learn that what they thought was expensive (a $10,000 Rolex) isn’t even considered “high end” in the world of watches, and once they discover that a modern gold or gem-set watch costs five times that much. Why are high-end watches so expensive?

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: high-end, Jaeger-LeCoultre, luxury, Patek Philippe, pricing, Rolex, Submariner, Veblen goods

The Real James Bond Watch Strap, Resurrected!

April 19, 2018 By Stephen 8 Comments

Most watch enthusiasts have a grail, a watch just out of reach whether through rarity or price. But once they attain their grail, they often turn to restoring missing accessories like the proper box, papers, buckle, and strap. Who wouldn’t want to put their “James Bond” Submariner on the proper “Goldfinger” strap?

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Bond Strap, canvas, dive watch, Diving Watch, Goldfinger, James Bond, NATO strap, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Submariner 6538, Strap, Submariner, Watch, watch strap

Squale 1545: Classic Swiss Diver

April 16, 2018 By Stephen 1 Comment

Yesterday’s affordable Orient diver gives way today to an even better Swiss alternative: The Squale 1545 has heritage, provenance, classic looks, and serious Swiss construction. It’s the real deal, yet costs less than 1/10 as much as a Rolex Submariner.

Filed Under: Collection, Watch A Day Tagged With: Classic Rolex, Compressor, Dive Watches, ETA 2824-2, Long Island Watch, Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Submariner 5513, Squale, Squale Usa, Squale Watch, Submariner, Swiss Diver, Watches

Americans: Do Not Buy Rolex Watches and Alligator Straps From Europe!

December 16, 2014 By Stephen 3 Comments

I’ve learned a few valuable lessons over the last few years in the watch collecting hobby, some through experience and some through research. So I thought I would share two really important ones with my readers today: Do not buy a Rolex watch and try to ship it into the USA, and do not buy a watch strap made of an endangered species and try to ship it out of Europe. These two rules are unrelated, but both can easily trip up would-be watch enthusiasts. And not all watch dealers will have your back if you run afoul of them!

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: Alligator, Auctionata, Caiman, Crocodile, Customs, European Union, Montres Rolex, Paul Picot, Rolex, Rolex Watch, Rolex Watches Usa, Tudor, USA, Watch, watch strap, Watch Straps, Watches

1984 Rolex Submariner 5513

May 13, 2014 By Stephen 1 Comment

Let’s say you wanted a classic Rolex Submariner to wear on a daily basis. What would you choose? If it was us, it would be this 1984 Rolex Submariner 5513. Here’s why…

Filed Under: Grails Tagged With: Rolex, Rolex Submariner, Rolex Submariner 5513

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