Omega Archives - The Truth About Watches

Coronavirus Watch 22: Which Watch Industry Brands Will Die?

Watch Industry Braces For Historic Downturn HoDinkee proclaims. That’s like saying a car crash victim lying by the side of the road is bracing for impact. Dude, the downturn is here. Last month, Swiss watch exports fell by a staggering 81 percent. There’s no sign of a “revenge shopping” recovery. The real economy is in the tank. Ho’ writer Joe Thompson offers us a piercing glimpse into the obvious, then shares the following eye-opening prediction . . .

Continue reading “Coronavirus Watch 22: Which Watch Industry Brands Will Die?”

Grand Seiko Makes ‘Em Like They Used To

Collectors of elegant two or three-handed watches are spoiled for choice – as long as they buy vintage. There are modern Patek Philippe Calatravas and Piaget Antiplanos that scratch that itch. But it’s slim pickins’ further down the food chain. With some exceptions, Rolex Cellini and OMEGA Deville dress watches have lost the plot. Jaeger Le-Coultre’s Master Control nails it, but Grand Seiko is your go-to modern day minimalist manufacturer . . .

Continue reading “Grand Seiko Makes ‘Em Like They Used To”

Rolex Wearing Criminals

“A lawyer who was an associate of organized crime figures saw [former FBI agent Babak] Broumand in a Beverley Hills cigar lounge and noticed he was wearing a gold Rolex watch,” Martin Woods writes at complianceweek.com. “The lawyer [considered] the Rolex and Broumand’s obvious expensive tastes as ‘an opportunity to recruit.'” And so he did. Broumand is only one of the least famous Rolex wearing criminals . . .

Continue reading “Rolex Wearing Criminals”

Zen and the Art of Grand Seiko Maintenance

The Grand Seiko maintenance video below is causing quite a stir, in its own little way. “I’m not the only one who gets emotional watching this,” Nicholas Packwood commented underneath Grand Seiko Complete Service. “Like family. It’s spiritual.” Davidc5191 reckons. “It’s like watching open-heart surgery.” It is. And I’m happy to report it’s the best thing to happen to Grand Seiko’s reputation since, um, ever . . .

Continue reading “Zen and the Art of Grand Seiko Maintenance”

Coronavirus Watch 4: Swiss Watches Nosediving

The Swiss Watch Federation has released its February export report. As you’d expect, the news isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. In fact, it’s tsunamis and tornadoes. While monochrome-watches.com is busy repeating the Communist Party line – Chinese shoppers are returning to the stores! – the stats indicate it’s the not even the beginning of the end. Coronageddon is a great buying opportunity and the world’s worst selling situation. Let’s run the numbers . . .

Continue reading “Coronavirus Watch 4: Swiss Watches Nosediving”