icoopernicus Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Hey guys, I just thought I would share this. I stumbled across a local watchmaker right in my backyard, making hand assembled watches in Canada. The movements are mostly ETA handwind 6498 that are disassembled and reassembled by the solo employee of Archer Watches in what I can only guess is a spare bedroom in his home. The cases come from Germany and the Crystals are Sapphire with double AR coating. Most of his models seem to go for around $1000CAD and are quite simple. Check it out, you might see something you like. http://www.archerwatches.ca/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Nice coop like the sold out dress 1440, actually prefer the dial in middle above but need Roman numerals for dress IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijnp Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) Very classy watches! Cool that he's building his "own" brand Edited October 16, 2013 by martijnp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3nj4min3 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I like the simplicity of the design, very nice. $1,000CAD is actually fairly reasonable for a reworked ETA timepiece from a smaller watchmaker. The maple leaf is a nice touch as well. All he needs is some marketing to get Kessel or someone similar for the Maple Leafs to wear his watch in a post NHL game interview and that should be his sales sorted for the foreseeable future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icoopernicus Posted October 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 The dial on the Sterling is apparently 925 Sterling Silver, I thought that was a pretty nice touch. I would personally make a couple of changes if it was me designing the dials but that's a very fair price for a nice looking watch. I'm thinking Panerai style strap swapping to create a personalized watch. I think I'll be contacting him, might be possible to take a drive down and check out the shop in person, maybe place an order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astonjenks Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Not dissimilar to the one that I made a couple of weeks ago, cost me about $200 and some time. Regards AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3nj4min3 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Funnily enough, I had a similar thought when I saw the watch. I was wondering if perhaps you had been moonlighting as a Canadian watchmaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Cool doorstep watchmaker find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astonjenks Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I struggle enough here let alone there Ben! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icoopernicus Posted October 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 If I'm being completely honest AJ, I prefer your creation. That thing is beautiful and the dial is stunning. Where do you get a dial for something like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astonjenks Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 Thanks A supplier in HK, he has a stunning electric blue version which I will do next time I think. AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris5264 Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 I put one together similiar to AJ but with parts from otto frei,,,,,did the blue hands...light dial....love that combo..this place has a nice set up....I wish my tools and table looked like his.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 (edited) Reminds me of Kemmner's pieces on eBay (or something put togther using his parts which he also sells). The 'customized' work done puts them in the same arena as Tourby's pieces, but they are way overpriced compared to the parts prices of what goes into them. Kemmner - $472.64 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kemmner-Flieger-Typ-A-matt-mit-Unitas-6498-1-swiss-/300990858622?pt=DE_Kleidung_Schmuck_Accessoires_Uhren_Armbanduhren&hash=item461474057e Aero 45 - $1,045.00 http://www.archerwatches.ca/aero45.html Granted the movement is finished better, but over double the price? Edited October 16, 2013 by tomhorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
automatico Posted October 16, 2013 Report Share Posted October 16, 2013 My favorite of the wind-up whopperwatches is the black dial Unitas/Eta 6497 Kienzle Atlantis.http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=mcsaoffblock&va=kienzle+atlantis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icoopernicus Posted October 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 The sum of the parts, for me to make one myself (without the customizing), would be about $400 Movement : $200+ Case : $130+ on sale Dial : $20 Strap : $20 cheap, up to $100 done right, I think the strap is very important, I'm sure I'm not alone. Then factor in the service that gets done on the movement <$100 The watches should probably sell fro around $700 unless he is running a watch building charity , so overpriced, I think slightly at $1000. But considering the number of Quartz watches that can fetch up to $1000 with a $35 movement and a mineral crystal from a large scale watch company i think his pricing is still fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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