Watch collectors know the score. You see a watch on Instagram or your Flip Board feed and fall in love. You search for the watch and it’s out-of-stock or, worse, fallen into a black hole. The watch above — the Scuderia Cronoscalata Pike’s Peak Chonograph — is one of the latter. Which sucks because . . .
Most chronos — even the most expensive — just can’t seem to coordinate the hour and minute hands with the chrono’s sub-dials. Everything gets in the way of everything else. With its layout, simplicity and use of color, the Pike’s Peak solves that problem. And raises another: where is the damn thing?
I contacted eight U.S. dealers listed on Scuderia’s website to try and source the Cronoscalata Pike’s Peak Chonograph. They either no longer carry the brand, don’t answer their phone, don’t return messages or don’t know.
One tells me to contact the distributor. A subsequent email reveals “Time Concepts is no longer the authorized distributor for the CT Scuderia brand. Good luck with your search!”
Scuderia’s website’s doesn’t include the watch. More ominously, the press section hasn’t posted new material in two years. And only twice in 2016 and 2017.
A little diggiing and I discover that isaacjewelers.com has a Pike’s Peak Chronograph listed. It’s $1,195.00, complete with ye olde Ronda Swiss Made movement. 46mm. Rose gold. I called. They have a whole case of Scuderias!
Black? She”ll call me back. I take the time to learn about the Scuderia brand’s history on Isaac’s website:
As a third generation Italian watch-maker, Enrico Margariteli’s impressive career includes collaborations with Fossil as well as for Emporio Armani watch collections and his own brands of the past, Soviet watches and Key West.
Enrico comes from a family of passionate watch-makers. His biggest inspiration, his grandfather, Ariodante Margariteli; Ariodante was a dedicated watch-maker in Parma, Italy where he created highly technical precision watch instruments for the Military during World War I and II.
Google searching Mr. Margariteli’s name unearths an article announcing that Scuderia’s Main Man has launched a horological venture called Glam Rock. Down the rabbit hole we go . . .
The brainchild of husband and wife watch designer team Enrico Margaritelli and Isabelle Maujean, Glam Rock is one of those rare watch companies that seamlessly fuses sophistication and trendiness. Their highly customizable watches, featuring interchangeable bezels and straps, are sported by everyone from NFL players to A-list celebrities at every occasion.
And there I was thinking NFL players and A-list celebrities are wearing Richard Mille, at every occasion. But wait! There’s photographic proof!
Each photo clicks through to an image of a not-of-the-moment celeb wearing a Glam Rock creation. Is this for real, then? Well, Glam Rock was featured on a home shopping channel video in 2015 (comments disabled):
Ms. Rebecca Brock’s YouTube video — seen by 121 people — doesn’t mention price and Glam Rock prices aren’t listed on their website. Equally worrying, clicking on one of the watches on the site brings this image up:
Glam Rock’s website shows five other six-watch collections: Diamonds, Mix & Match, Icons, Vintage Glam and Bal Harbor. (Three guesses where the Italian watchmaker calls home.) Clicking on any of the watches summons the same empty box.
The website’s contact button brings up an email submission form. No address or phone number. I send my deets down the Intertubz.
Waiting for Isaac’s Jewelers to report back, I spy with my little eye another comments disabled video. Raising the view count from 10 to 11. we see the man Margaritelli himself in 2012, pitching Glam Rock’s bezel interchangability.
So where do you get a Glam Rock watch? According to their website . . .
The choice of the distribution channel follows strict selection guidelines aiming to support and strengthen the high-end positioning of the brand and its products. Glam Rock is available only at selected prestigious watch and jewellery stores and department stores around the world.
A description that apparently applies to a long list of Bloomingdale’s and Nordstroms and more than a few jewelry stores. Sigh. I am not calling a department store.
The not-entirely-loved Joseph Edwards out of New York said they stopped carrying Glam Rock in 2014. There were two lines: one selling for $175 to $195, another at the $895 to $1125 (with diamonds on the bezel). More precisely, not selling. I couldn’t find anyone still stocking the brand. So, back to the Gallactica . . .
Isaac’s Jewelers — the Scuderia dealer — calls back. They don’t have the gold watch listed on the web or a black Pike’s Peak in their “most recent shipment.” The nice lady assures me the company is still in business, but couldn’t tell me the name of the distributor (even though they were checking with them to see about the black chrono).
Minutes later the ex-Scuderia distributor I contacted hours before — Time Concepts — emails again:
I’m not sure how they are handling the US distribution. I suggest sending an inquiry thru the website. I did get a request from Isaac Jewelers about the Chronoscaltta CS10107. That item was discontinued before we were involved with the brand so probably only available on an pre-owned basis.
With the explosion of micro-brand watchmakers, due dilligence is a must.