Desuetude

90 USD

Do keep in mind the requirements for Swiss watchmakers to keep "Swiss Made" on the dial, and the new legislation that will soon be coming before the EU to change the current requirements of 50% of watch components made and assembled in Switzerland to 80%. That said, like I said above, Sellita will be enjoying picking up the slack, and for the rest of the world, CN will be having a great time picking up some slack, and I'm sure that Japan, and possibly Germany will help with the rest. As far as the reps go, we've had copies of good movements for quite some time; I don't think much is going to change here!

One thing to remember...Swatch will still sell finished ETA movements...just not the ebauches. I personally think that Swatch is shooting itself in the foot. By doing this, they are creating a giant hole in the market that others will be more than happy to fill. Sellita is certainly one that comes to mind. I would hope that Zenith would see this as an opportunity to increase consumption of its' lovely El Premiero. This could also be an opportunity for German watchmakers, such as Union-Glashutte to get more market exposure. The swiss watchmakers might have a more difficult time than others, due to the issue of having "swiss made" on the dial, but I think that others will be just fine. There are so many other companies chomping at the bit to fill ETA's shoes, and are more than capable of collectively doing so. If anything, this reduction in monopolization will possibly help cut down costs in the long run. Without such a heavy hitter having a stranglehold on the industry, it could help us consumers out.

Jaquet Droz.....Ja-qu-ette Drahz (draz...etc)....Jhackay Dro Man, I suck at typing out the wonked and proper pronunciations phonetically. I think people get the idea though This one always gets to me...ADs and WISes alike mispronounce this one...I just chuckle to myself, and quickly begin referring to it as a JD so I don't really start laughing! That said, it's easy since plenty of people don't know the brand, so I'm mostly asked what I'm wearing, which then allows me to tell the person in question how to properly pronounce it.

I sincerely hope this isn't the case. I really wanted one!

Anton, great review! PS, don't get bent out of shape about the AR, the AR on my gen Navi World (bought new from an AD) was very blue, not purple. I think there's just some variation between various AR coating runs. The Blackbird looks great, if only they could rep the bracelet! The pilot bracelet for the Blackbird(brushed with the angled links) is really spectacular on the gen (friend of mine has an '03 blackbird), and would do wonders for this piece. Definitely a temptress!

I lol'd at the story, but also shook my head. I should show that CL post to my mother, so she can understand why I am cautious about finding women in this town. I can't blame her position, considering that she made more money than my father when they first met, although that changed. For all the blather that many women here spew about wanting to be treated equally, being just as capable of handling a high power, high stress lifestyle, etc, their actions certainly speak contrary to their words. A crying shame, because those 500+k/year guys she covets suffer as well, struggling to find a nice girl who isn't a vacuous bitchhoe. Shame how that works.

Wow, the black and SS both look SHARP!

Remember what I said about not thinking your collection would exactly be described as understated? See above...

Well I just went and clowned on myself there!

Shame on you all for taking so long to get this one! Everyone knows that the only TRUE manufacture in that list....JLC. JLC really is an amazing value, considering that their heritage is really beyond reproach. That said, Glashutte is also in that rare camp as well, IIRC...unless they used some outside ebauche during a pre-swatch group time of weakness. PS...Vacheron still uses JLC movements in some of their watches...my VC Patrimony Power Reserve has a JLC Cal. 928 inside.

+1

809... :wub:. Nanuq, that's the exact 809 configuration that I'd want, to the T! You have good taste, my friend! If only those ever showed up on the market! I think I see more Paul Newman Daytonas for sale than early 809s...

An 806 is always on my hunt list. I'm waiting for that gem...the one with the perfectly vintaged dial, the brilliantly preserved case...I passed on one 2 years ago in a moment of weakness. I have regretted it ever since.

Yep...I can't go to bars or restaurants near my office (and now my apartment, having just moved) without seeing at least one. I'm not exaggerating either. I see at least 3 a day. I yearn for the days when I would wear my 112F and everyone had no clue what the giant hunk of metal on my wrist was. Oh well...

Socialite dandy racecar driver with secret aspirations of becoming a naval frogman diving pilot. And Jfreeman...your collection may be many things...reserved and understated aren't the first words that come to mind. Nothing wrong with your style, those just aren't the first words that jump into my mind.

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Why do I feel a need to have a Subzero fridge, a Viking range and grille, Miele dishwashers, etc, etc? Granted, such items help resale value. But I can tell you from personal experience that Subzeros, while their twin compressors are great, they break quite often, and they still have their functional quirks. The Viking range looks awesome, but heat modulation sucks, and the ovens are a joke. Not to mention the fact that the supposedly "stainless" grilles on the built in Viking grille are always rusting. I've replaced those damn things 3 times. I gave up after the third time, and just accept the fact that it's rusty, and use copious amounts of Pam when I grille. Don't even get me started on the Miele dishwashers. They also look great, and function well...while they work. Those break quite often. Now, you may ask why I bring these things up. I could've easily gotten a Dacor range and fridge instead of the viking/subzero. I could've gotten any host of other dishwashers. I'm willing to bet that any of these alternative options would be functionally superior, longer lasting, cost less to maintain. Hell, I bet that bottom end GE stuff would've been better. In retrospect, I should have sucked it up, and just gone with what actually worked, especially given the fact that I actually use all of these appliances (most people with Viking ranges will never use them, lol)...but I didn't. I justified getting the appliances I have by the added appeal in resale value, and in some of their cases, the functional superiority. The reality is that I've spent more money in maintaining these appliances than whatever extra amount they might have added to resale. Not to mention the fact that I would probably be quite a bit happier having things that actually do their job when I am cooking. However, whenever people step into my kitchen...people recognize and are impressed by the Viking range and the Subzero...and in the case of those who are really in tune, they'll comment on the dishwashers and the Franke hardware. Are they the most functionally superior items? No; I could've gotten commercial grade stuff that really kicks butt. Are they the most universally recognized high end appliances? Yes. Ironically, I don't operate in this manner when it comes to watches, cars, clothing, etc. I buy what speaks to me, and couldn't care less what other people think. If someone else appreciates what I happen to wear or drive, good for them, they have great taste. . If not...well, they're not the one who has to drive/wear it.

fo' shizzle

I was in Alaska four years ago...I ate mine 15 mins after catching it...nothing tastes like King Salmon that was fighting 15 mins earlier! Sounds like a great time!

Good to know, my Railmaster XXL w/6498 began to have this problem. Great watch, but that asian 6498 certainly isn't the most smooth movement in the world to wind.

Jesus...those are incredible! Thanks for the post TTK!

Beautiful watch, TWP, I really need to keep my credit card from jumping out from my wallet again...I probably won't hold off too long, hehe! That said, I do hope you tightened the screw by the clasp, I wouldn't want to see that pretty piece mangled up from a nasty fall!

See, that's the problem. No offense to DD fans, but I am not a fan of the DD. Even if I had limitless funds, 5k for a foolish prank just wouldn't happen. Thanks for the tip though! *EDIT* Yes, Jfreeman, I've definitely seen YG DDs from the '80s and early '90s going for 5-7k, despite the skyrocketing price of Gold.

Such is life, Lady V...I forget who said this one, but it went something to the effect of, "I'd rather be scorned by history and loved by those who remembered me." History may not be fair, but look at the reaction of your Grandfather...I'm sure that being Lord Montgomery was a very lonely proposition. Alas, the WPB that I am familiar with is the WPB that you will shortly be confronted with...those sunbirds can be rough!