Swiss inventor and architect Ulrich Van-Heusen was a master craftsman who dedicated himself to his trade. He lived in an era when only the wealthy could afford a timepiece. But in 1923, Van-Heusen completed his first automatic calendar watch - only one of seven he ever completed. It displayed not only the time, but also the date, day and month; and it was the first to designate the difference between AM and PM. Van-Heusen named his brand Steinhausen after the region in Switzerland from where his family came. He was steadfast in his belief that wristwatches, not the prevalent pocket watch, would eventually become an item people could not live without. And he was correct! The Great Depression almost eliminated handmade watches of this quality. One that remains today fetched $300,000 at auction. Wristwatches became the must-have item for people of all social strata, but the distinguished gentry continued to buy Steinhausen's handcrafted marvels.
Steinhausen continues its reputation of producing the finest workmanship and classy designs. And now, we are pleased to re-introduce the original Steinhausen model with stylish updates. Like the original Steinhausen, each watch is painstakingly reproduced by hand from 185 genuine Swiss parts. Then it is so rigorously tested for two weeks that just six percent of movements made end up in a Steinhausen. Swiss automatic movement standards allow for an accuracy of +25/-27 seconds per day and the Steinhausen watches rate +15/-13 seconds per day, making it more accurate.
The Limited Edition Leonardo follows the tradition of displaying the movement through exhibition frontcase and backcase. The sweeping second-hand movement, brushed and polished stainless steel, and gold tone dial with Roman numerals is included, too. However, they added hand-cut precious sapphire gemstones from Vietnam to the buttons to add a rich luster, 21 jewels aid movement and accuracy; and interchangeable brown, black leather and gold/stainless steel wristbands to match whatever you're wearing.
HIGHLY COLLEC TABLE AND HARD TO FIND EBERHARD & CO TRIPLE DATE MOON PHASE CHRONOGRAPH GENTS WRISTWATCH - 1ST CHRONOGRAPH RE-ISSUE
WHITE PORCELAIN DIAL
CRYSTAL IS CLEAN WITH NO CRACK OR SCRATCHES
SOLID 825 SILVER WITH GOLD PLATED 30 MICRON CASE
ANTIQUE POCKET WATCH STYLE CASE (SEE PHOTOS)
THE 25 RUBIES EBERHARD & CO MANUAL WINDING COMPLICATED MOVEMENT
LUMINOUS BLACK HANDS
BLACK ARABIC MARKER
CASE MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 39mm EXCLUDING THE CROWN/PUSHERS AND 43mm LUG TO LUG
DISCONTINUED LIMITED EDITION RE-ISSUE MODEL... VERY VERY RARE!
EXCELLENT CONDITION AND KEEPING TIME. CHORONOGRAPH IS WORKING, RESET TO ZERO
PRICE : RM8,500.00 (NEGOTIABLE)
EBERHARD & CO IS ONE OF VERY EXPENSIVE WATCHES. LOG ON TO EBERHARD & CO OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO SEE IT YOURSELF WIDE RANGE OF EBERHARD & CO WATCHES
HISTORY OF EBERHARD & CO WRISTWATCHES
George-Emile Eberhard, the founder
The Eberhard & Co manufacture was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the historic birth place of watch-making industryby George-Emile Eberhard. Eberhard was the son of a prominent Bernese family tracing its origins back to the 10th centurywhich has become instrumental in the development of the Swiss watchmaking industry. His father early initiated him to the art of watch making and Eberhard was only 22 when he founded the company.
1900-1947
In 1907, the company has become one of the largest swiss watch manufacture and inaugurated its new headquarters which takes an entire block at the very center of rue Leopold Robert, La chaux-de-Fonds's main avenue. The Parisian-like five-stories building was designed in distinctive Beaux Arts style with a round tower topped by an impressive eaglescuplture has become one of the city's wellknown landmark and its highest construction until the 1960s. In 1919, Eberhar's sons, George and Maurice took over the company.During the 1930's, the brand designed some of the most modern and innovative watches of the time such as the very first chronograph with self-winding movement in 1930,the first featuring a stop and start again buttons in 1935,the first wrist-watch with counter device in 1938 and the first double timekeeping chronograph of 1939.
1947-1987
After the end of World War II, the manufacture resumed its activities and, in 1947, made its first woman's watch,starting its jewellery collections. The brand continues its innovations: in 1950 it launched the Extra fort (Extra strong) with a single button to start and stop the chronograph, in 1960 it launched devises with simultaneous date setting, in 1968 its chronometers performed 36.000 vibrations per hour, making them among the most precise in the world,in 1980 it is the first Swiss Watch company to re-introduced mechanical chronographs in the market. In 1987, Eberhard & Co celebrates its centenary.
1987 - NOW
Since 1996, the manufacture has decided to focus on luxury king-size wrist watches and launched a new Grande Taille (Super Size) collection. True to its history of technical challenges, Eberhard & Co launched in 1997 the 8 days"a manually winding mechanical watch that needs to be rewound every eight days only"thanks to a special winding device and, in 2001, it launched the Chrono 4 "the first chronograph in the history of watchmaking whose counters are arranged in one row". In 2007, the brand celebrated its 120th anniversary.
WORKING CONDITION, KEEPING TIME, DISCONTINUED MODEL
PRICE/HARGA: RM1,600 (NEGOTIABLE/BOLEH DIRUNDING)
BRIEF HISTORY OF GRUEN WATCHES
The first Gruen watches are of very high quality and are beautifully made. Both 18 and 16 size versions were manufactured, each in both open face and hunter styles, and in 18- and 21-jewel versions. The earliest D. Gruen & Son serial numbers started around 62000. The Gruens dealt directly with individual jewelry stores; there were no wholesalers or jobbers involved in the distribution of their watches. In 1898 George Gruen joined the firm as treasurer and financial officer. The company incorporated and its name changed to D. Gruen, Sons & Company.
In 1903 Gruen introduces its "VeriThin" line of watches.
In 1908 Gruen introduced both men's and women's wristwatches. These proved popular only with women. Gruen was one of a very few companies to take wristwatches seriously this early, seeing their potential in spite of disappointing early sales to male customers.
Gruen made both wrist and pocket watches for the military during World War I. Most had silver cases, which would tarnish but would not corrode under adverse conditions. To satisfy U.S. military regulations, these watches all have luminous dial markings and hands.
1911 Dietrich Gruen dies suddenly. Fred Gruen takes control of the company.
In 1913 the company purchased Nanny Goat Hill, a pasture just outside of Cincinnati, and renamed it Time Hill. Work began on a new building designed by architect Guy C. Burroughs at a construction cost estimated at $50,000 USD. The company moved to the new location in 1917.
1921: Gruen introduces The Cartouche wrist watch calling it "The logical wrist watch shape".
1922: Gruen introduces "The Pentagon" pocket watch. "the Croix de Guerre of American achievement"
Up until 1922 there had actually been three Gruen companies: D. Gruen, Sons & Company; The Gruen National Watch Case Company of Cincinnati; and The Gruen Watch Manufacturing Company of Biel, Switzerland. In 1922 all three businesses were merged to form the Gruen Watch Company, with Fred as President.
In 1924, Gruen released a special pocket watch in an edition of 600 to commemorate their 50th anniversary. The watch cost $500 at the time.
In 1925, Gruen introduced the men's Quadron. These were rectangular watches containing very high-quality 15-j or 17-j tonneau-shaped movements.
In 1928 Gruen releases The Techni-Quadron. The famous Techni-Quadron "doctor's watches" are so-called because the large seconds dial was handy for timing a patient's pulse.
In 1935 Fred Gruen, now 63 years old, became Chairman of the Board and Benjamin S. Katz was brought in as President of the Gruen Watch Company. In 1935, Gruen was about $1.8 million USD (roughly $36 million USD today) in debt; nervous stockholders and investors were behind the change. Fred would retire in 1940, but continued to sit on the board for the rest of his life.
In 1935 Gruen introduces the most famous Gruen wristwatch- "The Curvex". These watches are one of the greatest examples of 1930s streamlined design.
1937: Gruen introduces "The Ristside" or "driver's" watches.
In 1938, continuing the success of their VeriThin pocket watches, Gruen also launched a series of Veri-Thin wristwatches. Contemporary Curvex and Veri-Thin movements often are closely related, and can share many parts. By the 1940s, most Gruen wristwatches were either Veri-Thin or Curvex models.
Although Gruen did not manufacture watches for the U.S. military, they offered the public a collection of eight military-style watches, to be used as personal watches.
In 1949, the company introduced their first watches made entirely in the U.S., a line of 21-jewel men's models called the "Gruen 21". The movements are marked "Cincinnati" or "US" instead of the usual "Switzerland."
Fred Gruen retired in 1940 and died in 1945, and his brother George died in 1952. In 1953 the Gruen family sold their interest in the company. The same year, Gruen president Benjamin Katz was forced into retirement after a scandal, and in 1954 the company bought out his shares for $2 million USD.
In 1953, the Gruen Watch Company had its highest sales in its entire history.
One of the most deeply-held myths about Gruen is that Gruen and Rolex at one time manufactured movements for each other's watches. Both firms did use some of the same movements—the best known examples are the Gruen Techi-Quadron and its twin, the Rolex Prince. In reality, these movements were manufactured by a third company, Aegler, who was a very close neighbor to the Gruen Precision Factory.
Above:The Aegler factory in Biel. Aegler made movements for Rolex (which had no manufacturing capability at the time), and this building is the main Rolex factory today. Aegler was partly owned by Gruen.
Gruen and Rolex were Aegler's biggest customers, and were both large shareholders as well—the full company name at one time was, Aegler, Societe Anonyme, Fabrique des Montres Rolex & Gruen Guild A. Gruen and Rolex both occasionally showed pictures of the huge Aegler factory in their advertising, making the implication that this was a Gruen- or Rolex-owned facility, although ownership at the time was divided among Gruen, Rolex and Aegler itself. Gruen sold their Aegler shares in the 1930s, after they moved all production to the Precision Factory. After this time, Aegler became increasingly tied to Rolex through the sale of stock. Today, the main Rolex building in Biel is the old Aegler factory, and though it is now owned by Rolex, it is still run by the Aegler family.
This article taken from Complete Price Guide to Watches, American Wriswatches, Rolex Wristwatches: Best of Time and Gruen Master Book
Back in 1933, the single most important watch ever built was engineered for a quiet millionaire collector named Henry Graves. It took over three years and the most advanced horological technique to create the multifunction masterpiece. This one of a kind watch was to become the most coveted piece in the collection of the Museum of Time near Chicago. Recently this ultra-rare innovation was auctioned off for the record price of $11,030,000 by Sotheby's to a secretive anonymous collector. Now the watch is locked away in a private vault in an unknown location. We believe that a classic like this should be available to true watch aficionados so Stauer replicated the Graves design in the limited edition Graves '33.
The antique enameled face with four interior dials is true to the original vintage design. But the real beauty of this watch is on the inside. We replicated an extremely complicated early automatic movement with 27 jewels and seven hands. There are over 210 individual parts that are assembled entirely by hand and then tested for over 15 days on Swiss calibrators to insure accuracy. The watches are then reinspected in the United States upon their arrival.
What makes rare watches rare?
Business Week states it best, "It's the complications that can have the biggest impact on price." (Business Week July, 2003). The four interior complications on our Graves™ watch display the month, day, date and the 24 hour clock graphically depicts the sun and the moon. The innovative engine for this timepiece is powered by the movement of the body as the automatic rotor winds the mainspring. It never needs batteries and never needs to be manually wound. The precision crafted gears are "lubricated" by 27 rubies that give the hands a smooth sweeping movement. And the watch is tough enough to stay water resistant to 5 atmospheres. The movement is covered by a 2-year warranty.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
BRAND/JENAMA: AUTHENTIC RAYMOND WEIL TRADITION MECHANIQUE GENTS WRISTWATCH
MADE IN/BUATAN: SWISS
CIRCA/TAHUN: 1990's
MODEL: GENEVE
CRYSTAL/CERMIN: MINERAL CRYSTAL
MOVEMENT/ENJIN: SWISS ETA21 JEWELS AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT
DIAL COLOR: WHITE
FUNCTION/FUNGSI: HOUR, MINUTES, SECONDS AND QUICKSET DATE AT 3:00
HANDS/JARUM: METAL BLACK TONE
MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: RAISED BLACK ARABIC MARKERS
CASING : 18K WHITE GOLD ELECTROPLATED SS CASE
BEZEL:
LUGS: 18mm
MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 30mm DIAMETER EXCLUDING CROWN and 43mm LUG TO LUG
DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: ~RAYMOND WEIL LOGO~RAYMOND WEIL~S/N 2020 X054533~WATER RESISTANT~ 18K GOLD ELECTROPLATED
CROWN: ORIGINAL SS
STRAP/TALI:NEW BLACK LEATHER BANDS
SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5" FULL LENGHT
PRICE/HARGA: RM850.00(NEGOTIABLE/BOLEH DIRUNDING)
BRIEF HISTORY OF RAYMOND WEIL WATCH
The company was created by Raymond Weil, now Chairman. His son-in-law, Olivier Bernheim, became President & CEO in the 90s and now the third generation, Elie and Pierre Bernheim, has joined the company.
1976 : M.Raymond Weil creates the company which bears his name at a time when the Swiss watch industry is in turmoil.
1982 : Olivier Bernheim, M.Raymond Weil's son-in-law, joins the company, underlying the family commitment.
1983 : The Amadeus collection is launched in conjunction with Milos Forman's world acclaimed film of the same name.
1986 : Launch of the Othello collection. This ultra-thin timepiece (1.2mm) plays a great part in the worldwide success of RAYMOND WEIL.
1988 : Launch of the Traviata collection, where RAYMOND WEIL reviews its traditional aesthetic tastes.
1991 : Launch of RAYMOND WEIL's collection, Parsifal.
1994 : The award-winning Precision Movements advertising campaign consolidates RAYMOND WEIL's image as Brand committed to the arts.
1995 : Launch RAYMOND WEIL's still actual collections, Tango (one of the most famous collections).
1996 : Launch of the W1 collection. Innovative timepieces, distinctive because of a fresh look.
1998 : The Don Giovanni line is added to the RAYMOND WEIL collection.
1999 : The Celebrate the moment advertising campaign is presented, emphasising RAYMOND WEIL's attachment to music, art and culture worldwide. The Research & Development department is created for RAYMOND WEIL to have full control of the watch-design process. Among other innovations, the R&D has created the complication for the GMT function of the famous Don Giovanni Così Grande two time zones watch and the interchangeable bracelet system for the Shine collection.
2001 : RAYMOND WEIL celebrates its quarter of century of existence and brings to life the new Othello collection.
2003 : The new Parsifal collection is launched around the world.
2006 : Elie and Pierre Bernheim, Mr. Raymond Weil’s grandsons, join the company. This same year, the Ladies' Shine collection is launched and RAYMOND WEIL is the first luxury watch brand to propose a club for their fans and RAYMOND WEIL watch owners: The RW Club.
2007 : Launch of the Nabucco and Freelancer collections. The new brand identity, logo and “Independence is a state of mind” concept is revealed.
2009 : Launch of the Ladies' Noemia collection.
RAYMOND WEIL produces luxury timepieces for men and women. The models are modern and use noble materials such as 18ct gold and high-quality diamonds. Their range goes from a stainless steel quartz model to an 18ct pink gold, titanium and carbon fibre mechanical with automatic winding watch. Their watches are renowned for the elegant design and their comfortable feel on the wrist.
CRYSTAL/CERMIN: CLEAN SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL / BERSIH TANPA CALAR
MOVEMENT/ENJIN: CONCORD 7 JEWELS ETA MOVEMENT
DIAL COLOR: GOLD TONE
FUNCTION/FUNGSI: HOUR, MINUTE, SWIPE SECOND AND QUICKSET DATE AT 3:00
HANDS/JARUM: GOLD TONE
MARKERS/TANDA WAKTU: GOLD TONE STICKS
CASING : 18K GOLD ELECTROPLATED TOP CASING
BEZEL: 18K EP GOLD
LUGS: 20mm
MEASUREMENT/UKURAN: 34mm DIAMETER W/O CROWN and 40mm LUG TO LUG
DITANDA/ENGARVED BACK CASING: S/N 1788414
CROWN: BLUE CABOCHON CROWN
STRAP/TALI:GENUINE BLACK LEATHER BAND
SIZE STRAP/SAIZ TALI: 8.5"
DISCONTINUED MODEL, VERY VERY RARE HARD TO FIND, EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEEPING TIME AND RECENTLY SERVICED
PRICE/HARGA: RM2250 (NEGOTIABLE)
BRIEF HISTORY OF CONCORD WATCHES
Truly one of the most innovative watch companies, Concord has been creating timepieces of distinction for nearly a century. From the beginning, Concord focused on technical prowess and aesthetic advancements, quickly propelling itself to a premier position within the world of fine watchmaking
Since its founding in Bienne, Switzerland, in 1908, Concord has regularly turned out masterpieces.
Within the first decade of its existence, the brand carved out a niche for itself as a producer of luxury timepieces, crafting in platinum and accenting its watches with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
In the 1920s, Concord moved into the realm of clock design and unveiled the now-famed Concord Ring Clock—the first portable eight-day winding travel alarm clock. Nearly two decades later this clock was still so impressive that president Harry Truman presented it to several heads of state in 1945, including Winston Churchill.
In 1969, visionary businessman Gedalio Grinberg purchased Concord Watch Company and incorporated it into North American Watch Corporation in New York—which is known today as Movado Group Inc. Under Grinberg’s vigilant eye, the Concord brand flourished. Groundbreaking research resulted in the launch of the quartz-powered Delirium in 1979. The world’s thinnest watch, the Delirium measured 1.98mm. Within a year, the brand broke its own record with the Delirium IV—measuring just under 1mm.
A year later, in 1980, Concord introduced its Mariner sports watch,and in 1986 unveiled the Saratoga—an icon for the brand even today. A trendsetter in the sophisticated art of watch design, Concord went on to launch the Saratoga Exor in 1995.
Created in three versions, including a perpetual calendar, minute repeater and tourbillon, each of the Exor watches was so elaborately decorated with gemstones that they ranked among the world’s most expensive jeweled creations.
Today, Concord’s impressive roster includes not only the Saratoga, but the sophisticated Veneto watch (launched in 1996), the daring 18-karat gold geometric La Scala (launched in 1997), and the bold La Scala Stainless Steel Chronograph (launched in 2001).
In typical Concord style, the brand regularly adds new models to these collections—offering fresh intrigue and excitement.
Determined to adhere to the highest standards in watchmaking, Concord creates all of its timepieces with scrupulous attention to detail, performance and originality. Such is the case with the superb Saratoga line. First launched 17 years ago, the Saratoga was a sophisticated, elite timepiece that earned international praise. It has remained an important signature collection for the brand and was recently reinterpreted to reflect today’s lifestyles and designs.
The new Saratoga is the culmination of nearly a century of Concord watchmaking excellence. Its casually elegant beauty is emphasized by the eight-sided bezel—a hallmark of the watch—and by the striking modernistic scallop-engraved dials. The faces are graced with alpha hands, applied markers and numerals, with a date at 3:00.
A precision sports watch, the Saratoga is sleek and bold—a true expression of individuality. The newly designed Saratoga watches are crafted in solid stainless steel, 18-karat white or rose gold, and stainless steel with 18-karat yellow-gold or rose-gold accents.
They feature a distinctive woven-link bracelet with deployment clasp and elegantly engineered, patented crown protector that securely latches shut to ensure water resistance to 50 meters. The newest models feature embossed casebacks with an equestrian design, recalling the original sport for which the watch was created. New variations include diamond-adorned bezels and dials.
Paying homage to its heritage, Concord has unveiled a one-of-a-kind Saratoga Tourbillon that is crafted harmoniously in 18-karat white gold. This spectacular piece is a work of art and old-world craftsmanship.
It features a tourbillon escapement, minute repeater, chronograph, and power reserve. The watch features a sapphire caseback to view the magnificent movement.
Concord’s smoothly sculpted, incredibly elegant La Scala collection dons newness with color and gemstones. First introduced at the 1997 World Watch and Jewelry Fair in Basel, the La Scala stole hearts with its sleek design and bold beauty.
Already rich with variation, the La Scala collection of round and square timepieces boasts chronograph models bedecked in diamonds (colorless and black) or in gemstones (sapphires of all hues).
In the 1990’s, the Seamaster became famous for being the watch of choice for James Bond. The Omega brand has had a high profile association with the James Bond movies since 1995, when Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond in the movie GoldenEye and began wearing the Omega Seamaster Quartz Professional (model 2541.80.00). In all later films, Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer (model 2531.80.00).
Which Seamaster watch is the James Bond watch?
The Seamaster Professional Diver 300 M was worn by James Bond in five Bond movies. These Seamasters are made of stainless steel on a stainless steel bracelet, fitted with a blue dial, unidirectional rotating bezel with blue ring and a sapphire crystal. They have a diameter of 41 mm and are waterproof to 300 metres. In Casino Royale, before Bond was assigned his 00 status (“license to kill”), he was wearing a Seamaster Planet Ocean with a diameter of 45.5 mm.In Quantum of Solace, James Bond wears a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M with OMEGA’s revolutionary Co-axial technology and water resistance to 600 metres (2000 feet). It has a diameter of 42 mm and a dramatic black dial.
1995 Golden Eye Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2541.80.00, sold out by Omega)
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out by Omega)
1999 The World Is Not Enough Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out by Omega)
2002 Die Another Day Seamaster Diver 300 M (Reference 2531.80.00, sold out by Omega)
BLACK DIAL WITH LUMINOUS ARABIC WITH 0 -60 MARKERS, 3 REGISTER CHRONOGRAPH DIAL WITH RED CHRONO HANDS AND GMT
YELLOW SWORD CALENDAR POINTER
WATER RESISTANT 30 METERS/100 FEET
THE REAR CASE SCREWS IN PROPERLY AND STATES ORIGINAL SPEEDMASTER CASE S/N 56475577 - CIRCA 1998
SOLID STEEL CASE MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 41mm EXCLUDING THE CROWN AND 44mm LUG TO LUG
HALLMARKED ORIGINAL OMEGA CROWN
GENUINE BURGUNDY LEATHER BAND WITH ORIGINAL OMEGA BUCKLE - FITS 7.5" WRIST
DISCONTINUED OMEGA SPEEDY MODEL... RARE!
EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEEPING GOODTIME AND RECENTLY SERVICED
PRICE WHEN NEW : RM15,000 PRICE OFFERED BY 2ND HAND WATCH DEALERS AT BERJATA TIMES SQUARE AND THE MALL IS BETWEEN RM8,500 - 13,500 (DEPENDING ON THE CONDITIONS EITHER NOS, MINT, EXCELLENT OR GOOD)
