Excited? I hope you are because Grand Seiko isn't your typical cheap Seiko, it's more than that... say Rolex quality with out the Rolex prices.
1. The cost of metals - Gold, platinum and various base metals like stainless steel all rose in 2009. While 2009 didn't show price increases in many areas, the manufacturers will not carry that extra expense anymore. They, with the retails down-sized their production to meet the lower demand caused by the "Bankers Recession of 2009". The maximum increase I saw so far was 15%, but the average has been 7%.
The quantity of luminescent placed between the two dial plates ensures exceptional visibility even in any light condition or in total darkness. The numbers indicating the date and all the hands are all highly luminescent, as are the second-time zone hand with its arrow point, the am/pm hand in the small seconds dial and the horizontal cursor that indicates the remaining power reserve.
The Swiss maker of complicated movements for brands like Hublot, Concord, Bell & Ross and others was being praised by the industry and press reports for its phenomenal 200% annual sales increases some how just perished. Or did it? Like many companies growth, production and quality doesn't necessarily mean you'll get paid in cash-money. BNB was being paid with IOUs' and with their own bills to pay for... well they could keep their heads above water.
But it's not entirely a bad story because Hublot hired 30 to 40 watchmakers from BNB including Matthias Buttet, which was a founding father and now heads Hublots' new “Haute Horlogerie” department to make complicated movements for the brand.
Hublot also purchased BNBs' machines and some $2 million of finished and unfinished movements so it would not be cut short during the transition.
[source WatchTime]
The Bell & Ross
The design of the dial was derived from emblems that the US Airborne Division wore on their sleeves. The Bell and Ross
Its total diamond carat weight is 2.78 in both white/black.
Now as far as I know, there is no legal battle between the two companies, Tiffany and Kay Jewelers, but I believe they should. Why? Jane Seymours' Open Heart looks a lot like the Paloma Picasso Loving Heart. When I first saw the Seymour/Kay copy, I first thought of the Picasso/Tiffany design.
I'm not trying to start a fight, or pretend that I know all-things legal when it comes to designs, but if I'm seeing the direct correlation, other less jewelry savvy people are too.
I know they are two different customers which they know the difference. But what about the first time customer? Does Tiffany think they are to good for them or do they believe this battle will be won by the customers themselves?
It's been known for some time that the Swatch Group, parent company of ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, has wanted to stop the sale of it's Ebauches and it's unbranded movements. The Swiss government put a stop on it early 2006 mid 2005 asking the Swatch Group to allow other movement makers to fill the ETA vacuum and to keep as many (if not all) watchmakers in their jobs. Well ETA settled with a 2 year full-tilt plan then an additional 2 year phasing-out. ETA after 2010 will supply parts to fix the movements and completed movements stamped with the ETA logo.