Clerc

I am an absolute sucker for orange colored watches (any tinge of orange on the face, hands, dial and strap).  I was browsing online and I came across Clerc's Hydroscaph and I have fallen in love...again!  Based in Geneva, the brand has been around since 1874, and falls under the techno-luxury segment.  It's funny that I failed to visit their display at the Windsor House in Gloucester Road; I was already in the mall and I normally take time to look at watch shops, but somehow I missed it completely.  Oh well, I can dream, can't I?

Edox

By some unfortunate reason, I must have left the nitrogen release valve of my Edox Class I watch open, leaving the watch prone to moisture.  I love this watch; to me, it looks beautiful and furthermore, is supposed to be watertight to 500 meters.  Casing is cast in titanium and the sapphire glass will resist scratches.  When I bought the watch, it was Monique who gave me heart to make the purchase--despite the fact that her mother was absent, she clearly knew how much I felt about it and she just beamed with that perfect smile of approval.  It was a good thing that the watch is still under warranty, and I was able to retrieve the watch from the service center practically new and in great working order, without having to pay a single centavo.  Edox has been making watches since 1884 and has since concentrated on sports watches.  The company currently sponsors the World Rally Championship and is also active in keeping time at various water sports events.  I like the sporty feel of the brand, and good designs at an affordable price bracket.

Horological Machines

James Dean was the Rebel in Hollywood.  MB&F is the Rebel in Watchdom.  I particularly like Horological Machine No. 3, as I understand it is designed to be worn on the right hand.  I have only seen a handful of watchmakers who take particular notice of those of us who do so.  Thank you, MB&F, for your avant-garde designs, but most especially, for taking time to consider the minority in your designs.  Absolutely marvelous!

Magrette

I think it's the cutest face in all of Watchdom; absolutely Polynesian in origin, and something you can't miss (I break into a smile whenever I see it)--it's quite unmistakable!  Magrette of New Zealand has some of the best carving I have seen on watches!  Their watches are quite sturdy and have the clean-cut elegance I admire.  Take a look and enjoy!

Dutch Watches

I was browsing some boards on watches and I came across Gronefeld and Klaauw, two of the best Dutch watchmakers in the market.  I particularly like the GTM model of Gronefeld which looks masculine, yet very elegant (shown above), and the Planetarium model of Klaauw, which shows the planets of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn orbiting around the sun (shown below with a beautiful blue alligator strap).  I would imagine that these timepieces are very expensive, as they are designed with a lot of technical precision, are made in either rose gold or platinum, and require so many hours of manual production!  Now be careful there... it's nice to look at, nice to behold, but if you drop it, it's considered sold!

Sector Shark Master

I always thought that Sector only had quartz watches.  I have always liked their rugged design features and the reasonable prices of their watches (Japan movements).  It then came as a pleasant surprise to see the Sector Shark Master, an A/T diving watch tested for--note this--1,000 meters!  Yes, that's something like 3,300 feet!  Now I have gone scuba diving to a depth of 10 meters, and it was already eerie... the light starts to fade!  So if a watch can go down to 1,000 meters, that's mind boggling...  The watch comes with a rubber strap, a rotating bezel, sapphire top plus a free dive light!  With a Swiss movement for less than $1,000, this collector's item is definitely a must on my Christmas wish list!