Rolex has a long history of producing water resistant watches and was in fact the first watch manufacturer to produce a water resistant watch when in 1926 it released the Oyster. Many variations of the Oyster model are highly valued on today’s used watches market. Rolex improved the Oyster in subsequent years as well as releasing a new water resistant model, the Submariner, in 1953. The Submariner was water resistant to 100 metres and was shortly afterwards improved to be water resistant to 200 metres. Rolex continued to develop the Submariner and in 1971 launched the precursor to today’s Deepsea called the Sea Dweller, which featured a helium release valve and could be submerged to 610 metres.

To make a watch withstand the pressure of being submerged to great depths, a watch usually has to be made so sturdy that it becomes very bulky and impossible to wear comfortably on the wrist. Rolex wanted to design a watch that was wearable on a daily basis so it took a different approach to the design of the Sea Dweller Deepsea. Rolex designed and patented the ‘Ring Lock System’ for the Sea Dweller Deepsea that uses three different parts to enable the watch to withstand the enormous pressures of being submerged to great depths.

The first component is the crystal made of sapphire and 5.5 millimetres thick. The caseback is made of Grade 5 titanium and is the second component. Grade 5 titanium is an alloy with vanadium and aluminium and is four times stronger than the 904L steel case of the watch. In between the sapphire crystal and the Grade 5 titanium caseback is a ring made of BioDur 108 steel which provides extra support for both components. BioDur 108 steel is three times stronger than 904L steel and due to its high nitrogen content is very corrosion-resistant.

Choosing to use the combination of 904L steel, Grade 5 titanium and BioDur 108 steel to manufacture the Sea Dweller has resulted in a watch that can withstand the enormous pressures of being submerged to such great depths. But not only can it withstand the pressure, its dimensions of a case diameter of 43 millimetres and 18 millimetres deep is still very wearable by today’s standards. And don’t worry if your dive ends up going deeper than 3,900 metres, this watch has been tested to a water pressure of an amazing 4,900 metres!

Subscribe to our feed

Somewhat surprisingly, 2008 was still a record year for Swiss watch exports with the total value of exports 6.7% higher than 2007, which itself was a record year. The final result doesn’t tell the whole story however with the final quarter of 2008 showing a 7.8% decline as the Global Economic Crisis started to hit home for most markets.

The top 15 markets for Swiss watch exports in 2008 with the percentage variation against 2007 and the total value in million US dollars are:

1. Hong Kong ($2,405, +10.9%)

2. USA ($2,111, -3.0%)

3. Japan ($1,053, -4.5%)

4. France ($1,008, +15.1%)

5. Italy ($932, +2.5%)

6. Germany ($814, +10.2%)

7. China ($736, +43.1%)

8. Singapore ($698, +16.8%)

9. United Arab Emirates ($600, +27.6%)

10. United Kingdom ($571, -2.7%)

11. Spain ($403, -13.5%)

12. Russia ($259, -9.7%)

13. Taiwan ($258, +5.1%)

14. Thailand ($236, +11.8%)

15. Saudi Arabia ($213, +24.0%)

The decline in Swiss watch export values seen in the final quarter of 2008 has continued into 2009. The results for the first two months of 2009 released by The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry show the value of exports to the US declined 38% against the same two months in 2008. Exports to the US in the month of February 2009 alone fell by nearly a half with a drop of 47.5%. Other markets have fared better however with the next largest market decline being Japan with 13.5%.

As not all markets have been declining to the same extent (with some markets still growing), not all price ranges of Swiss watch exports have been affected the same. Higher priced exports fared much better in 2008 by growing 20% when compared to their 2007 results. Watch exports with a value of USD $2676 (at time of writing) grew while watches priced between USD $446 and $2676 fell.

In hard economic times, luxury items such as watches become purchases that are more difficult to justify for middle income earners while high income earners still have enough discretionary income to afford a high end luxury watch. So as was expected, the higher end of the luxury watch market held up in a generally declining export market while those watches in the lower end suffered the most. This trend has continued on into the first quarter of 2009 and only time will tell whether the market for luxury watches will show signs of recovery by the end of 2009.

Having seen sustained growth in the value of Swiss watch exports year on year, some of the declines being experienced in 2009 can appear alarming. However it should be remembered that 2008 was a record year for exports and even though the market in a number of key markets, adjustments are being made by the Swiss watch industry to ensure a healthy long term future.

Subscribe to our feed

There are few items more elegant than a men’s Rolex watch. The Rolex brand is well known for being well made, timeless and very expensive. The watches are worn by the rich and famous, and sought after by those who can afford them. The Rolex brand is the most prestigious brand.

Did you know that you can get the Rolex watch showed above for lots less at an Internet auction site? Specifically, this beautiful watch is currently up for bid. The bidding ends on May 26 at 3:02 a.m. ET. The retail price for this watch is $10,180. The watch comes with a certificate of authenticity so that you know you’re bidding on the real deal. Now here’s the great news. This watch is currently at only $1,200. Imagine owning this watch for way under retail! It’s possible.

Men’s Rolex Watch

If you’re looking for luxury watches, and price is important to you, it makes sense to look online at an Internet auction site. You will find that items presented online are often much cheaper than you can find in brick and mortar retail stores. Why pay more if you don’t have to? Luxury watches are made so well that buying a used one is nearly as good as buying one that’s brand new.

You can start your search with Government Auction Network. They list luxury watches and other items of value that can be found at Internet auction sites. If you’re lucky, you could be the owner of a men’s Rolex watch for less!

Contact me with any questions you may have. Simply click on “About Lindsey” then click on “Just Ask Me.” I’m here to show you the best deals possible on all types of items.

Government Auction Network – Internet auction site – luxury watches – Rolex watch

Subscribe to our feed

Glenn Palmer, WatchChoice.com’s Owner and Founder, knows from from his own experience that transferring money across the world or even within your own country for a luxury Swiss or German watch or even a pre owned watch you haven’t been able to see with your own eyes and touch can cause some anxiety. “The guide provides dozens of tips in an easy-to-follow format and gives buyers practical actions they can follow without leaving their computers” says Palmer.

The first section of the eBook caters for those new to luxury watches and covers the basics of buying luxury watches such as the different types of mechanical watch movements, the importance of the number of jewels and resale values. The second section talks about knowing the total price of your watch purchase so that costs such as shipping and handling costs and import duties if you are buying from outside your country are included in your total price. Warranties are also covered in this section and the various types of warranties and the real protection they give you are discussed. This section also gives some tips on how to spot a fake luxury watch and the tactics of luxury watch imposters.

The final section covers finding the best online luxury watch seller and talks about the importance of sellers displaying multiple contact channels and being clear about their policies on returns and authenticity. It also includes the protection offered by all the various payment types such as credit cards, wire transfers and escrow as well as looking at the security of the seller’s website, identity fraud and third party rating services such as BBBOnline.

Palmer said he believed “it was time that buyers were given access to comprehensive and easy to follow tips on buying luxury watch brands online. We hope our eBook and simple checklists will help buyers feel more comfortable when they come to make their next online luxury watch purchase.

Download the free Luxury Watch Buying Guide “Buy the Watch and the Seller” from WatchChoice.com.

Subscribe to our feed

As the Global Financial Crisis deepens and the luxury watch market slows, a greater number of luxury watch enthusiasts on WatchChoice.com are shifting their attention from new luxury watches to pre owned watches. Glenn Palmer, WatchChoice.com’s Managing Director, says feedback from Watch Choice members indicates there are a range of reasons for the rise in interest in the second hand market. The soft economy and the concern about whether the economy will decline further or when it will bounce back has lead to low levels of confidence in enthusiast’s prospective financial circumstances. That means buyers planning to purchase a luxury watch have found it harder to justify the outlay and have turned to the second hand watch market as a cost effective way to acquiring a luxury watch for themselves.

Other feedback from luxury watch enthusiasts shows the current financial environment has also affected their buying patterns. Some collectors have reported they are more likely to sell one or more luxury watches from their collection to raise money for the purchase of their next watch where previously they may have simply just added watches to their collection. Enthusiasts who become sellers before buying have therefore added to the number of used watches for sale.

Luxury watch buyers in countries that have in recent times experienced substantial currency rate declines, such as Australia, against stronger currencies such as the US dollar, English pound and the Euro have seen significantly increased watch prices. Buyers in these countries are particularly looking for the best value and are looking to quality second hand watches to meet their luxury watch needs.

Glenn Palmer says that the new levels of interest in second hand watches is likely to continue for at least as long as the economic climate remains depressed and possibly longer. He says “we could see higher interest levels in second hand watches maintained in the long term as the current economic climate has introduced buyers who would not have normally considered buying a used watch to the value and variety of the second hand watch market”. It will be interesting to see whether second hand watch sales return to their usual levels when the economy recovers.

Subscribe to our feed

As far as sturdiness goes the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is built to last.  It’s a extremely rugged telephone that can take some punishment and still be functional.First things first the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is water resistant.  Many designer watches in fact are water protected but the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph will still run even if it is submerged 300 feet ( 1,000 meters ) underwater.  Most watches will simply cease to function thanks to the extraordinary pressure. Breitling allegedly has found a way to guarantee the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is functional under such tough conditions.  The watch housing comprises curved sapphire crystals and brushed titanium.  These materials permit the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph to have an anti-reflective surface.  For extreme saturation diving the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph has a helium release valve built in also.  For perfect viewing in low light situations the bezel is engraved and has a luminescent marker.  The Breitling logo is chicly placed on the back of the case. 

Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph watch dials are available in blue, grey, and yellow.  The date is handily displayed next to 3 o’clock.  To round off the customization of this designer watch one can get the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph with the pro divers leather strap or the titanium bracelet. 

Of specific interest is the Super Quartz movement, which is ten times more accurate than the standard found in standard quartz watches.  Such accuracy is alleged to be done by making the movement delicate to the changes in temperature that cause most quartz modules to lose or gain time.  Being thus thermo compensated means the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is, in effect, self-correcting.  There’s a regatta timer, as well as the standard timepiece feature-set, for yacht races which need measurement in ten minute scales. 

One of the more prominent things about the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is the magnetically activated push pieces.  These push pieces permit the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph to be completely sealed against the elements and foreign damage.  Anybody ( deep sea divers mainly ) who are in need of a durable and sturdy watch will certainly benefit from purchasing the Aeromarine Avenger Seawolf Chronograph.

Subscribe to our feed