Cars Change, Watches Don’t: Looking At Cadillacs & Rolex Over The Years

I'll admit it. I love watches and I love cars. To me, they both represent a higher state of where design and machinery intersect. And being in the watch business for all of my life (I’m a 4th generation watchmaker, and founder of TimeZone.com), I always seem to find a correlation between people who own fine luxury cars, and those who own fine cheap watches. Having said that, the world of watches is amusingly different than that of cars.
I’ve always played a little game in my head as to what car corresponds to which watch - like those matching games you’d play in the newspaper. So match the car with the watch... Here are a few of my matches: Panerai and BMW, Lange and Maybach, Patek and Mercedes, Jaeger and Lexus, IWC and Audi, and the quintessential American luxury car: Cadillac and Rolex. The luxury car and watch for the masses.

I was brought up in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and I remember so vividly the anticipation of the new car design lineups each September when the car companies released the next year’s models. What shape would the car be?…how would the taillights look? Would the grill be redesigned? What colors would be available? What horsepower would the engines have? It was a veritable cornucopia of new head spinning stuff. In the same vein, when I became an authorized dealer for luxury watches, I couldn’t wait to go to the Las Vegas Jewelry and watch show each June and see what tasty morsels the gremlins from Switzerland had in store for us. What shape design would the watches be, how would the case back show, what color dials would be available, what would the crown look like, and how many jewels would the movement have? It was a veritable cornucopia of new head spinning stuff (again).
But, I always seemed to scratch my head when I saw what new stuff Rolex would come out with… nothing really seemed to change for the most well-known models.
Rolex introduced their quintessential model, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust, sometime in the mid 1950’s. And it slowly evolved into the traditional model of today around 1957. Most of the models from this time were produced in yellow gold, although they did produce some in rose gold for the South American market. Rolex made the radical decision to release this watch in steel in the late 1950’s, and the watch took off. In fact, to Rolex’s surprise, the steel versions started to far outsell the gold models so much, that they decided to release the “two-tone” version in 1962 to fill in the marketing gap. And the rest is history. The Rolex “two-tone” Datejust became the quintessential Rolex watch.

However, to Rolex’s chagrin... this watch also became the most copied watch in the world… everyone made a Rolex “two-tone” Datejust: Seiko, Benrus, Invicta, Bulova, Citizen, etc., etc...
If everyone made this watch, why didn’t Rolex evolve the design to stay ahead of the pack… as the car manufacturers did? The Rolex from the early 1960’s pretty much looks like the Rolex of the current year. Can a watch company rest on its design laurels forever? Some would say yes and some would say the competition is very healthy.
Certainly, the car companies didn’t rest on their design winners, and each year they strove to refine and expand their design concepts for each model, and the same models from the 1960’s don’t even remotely resemble the models of their current lineups.
Taking my car match from above, let’s take a ride through history on the design evolution of the quintessential American car, the Cadillac, and the quintessential Rolex watch, the “two-tone” Datejust. Both Classics.

Here we see the 1959 Cadillac in all its glory. Long, with the beautiful and famous rear fins. Great colors and trademark grille. Also pictured is the early 1960’s Rolex “two-tone” Datejust in all its glory. A radical new design concept for the watch connoisseur.

Classic Cadillac from 1962, with more refined and streamlined fins. New colors. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

1968 Cadillac with more refining on the body style. Elimination of the radical fender fins. New Colors. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

1974 Cadillac with more refining and streamlining. New Colors and new appointments.. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

1980 Cadillac. Exploring new design directions. Much more refined and aerodynamic. Interesting luxury colors. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

1986 Cadillac, Still long and luxurious, but now refined for better gas mileage. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

2006 Cadillac. Sportier and more European design looks. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design.

2010 Cadillac. Design more futuristic and aerodynamic for better mileage and less drag. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Continuation of a winning design (sic).

2013 Cadillac. Completely unrecognizable from its 1959 ancestor. Modern, sleek, futuristic. Classic Rolex “two-tone” Datejust . Waking up next to the same face.
Of course, many of you will say, “If it isn’t broken, then don’t fix it.” Why screw with a design that works and is still popular? The DateJust is king," etc... One thing that is interesting is how the Datejust watch looks relevant and tasteful next to each of these Cadillacs, but in a slightly different manner alongside each different car. Another response is that it is time to move on, look towards the future and let’s upgrade the design of the Datejust. Rolex could create a whole new quintessential Datejust (though they did increase the size with the Datejust II). Time marches on...   745TDBanty 130913

Sony: PS3 to PS4 upgrade pricing set

During Sony's Gamescom press keynote, president Andrew House revealed a program that would allow consumers to upgrade from select PS3 remote titles to their PS4 counterparts for a "significantly discounted price." UK managing director Fergal Gara told Digital Spy that the pricing will be dictated by publishers.

"What will happen is, the PS4 digital file will be made available on the PlayStation Store - as it would be anyway - at launch, and the PS3 discs will be sold through retail. What the consumer can then do, for a premium to be defined by the publisher, is access the PS4 digital game and then provided they still have the PS3 disc, they will be able to play the PS4 version when they decide to buy the next gen."

Call of Duty: Ghosts, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Watch Dogs and Battlefield 4 are the first games eligible for this promotion. GameStop and Amazon both announced they will offer similar upgrade options for Xbox 360 to Xbox One games, though nothing has been announced from either retailer regarding PS3 to PS4 upgrades. 745TDBanty 130909

PlayStation 4 and PS3 controller comparison

Here are some interesting GIF animations that compare the PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controller with the PS3 one. As you can see, the difference is noticeable in almost every aspect of the controller design.
The new DualShock 4 certainly looks larger and more “rounded” than the old PS3 controller. Although we have to admit, we’re not sure which one we prefer — we’ve gotten used to the old DualShock design which has been with us for over a decade.
The PlayStation 4 controller features several improvements, including a much more accurate accelerometer, digital buttons, and triggers with more pressure points. And it’s got the brand new touch pad and “share” button. We’ll have to wait and see how it fits in our hands. If you’re not sold on the DualShock 4, you’re out of luck — the PlayStation 4 won’t support the older PS3 controller.
Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section!  745TDBanty 130904

Gioteck GC-2 PS3 controller tweaks pressure sensitivity on the fly, tips hat to Xbox 360

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Love your PlayStation 3, but prefer Microsoft's controller layout? You've got options, the latest being Gioteck's GC-2 PS3 gamepad. Adopting the Xbox 360 controller layout, the GC-2 appears to do an admirable job of repositioning your thumbs, but its appeal lies in how much you'll have to twiddle those digits. Hidden among the controller's bevy of commonplace features (wireless connectivity, a turbo button and force feedback) is a thumbstick sensitivity toggle -- allowing gamers to switch between four different levels pressure sensitivity. Hardly revolutionary, but it's nice to know there are options when in-game settings don't cut it. PlayStation 3 owners can pick up the GC-2 now for $40, and Gioteck says a Wii U variant will be available in April. See the full press release for yourself after the break.

Hide Press Release

TAKE CONTROL OF THE OPPOSITION WITH THE NEW
GIOTECK GC-2 WIRELESS CONTROLLER
Designed by gamers for gamers using high-quality components
Gioteck, the award-winning independent gaming accessories manufacturer, is giving gamers the opportunity to blow away any opposition with the launch of the GC-2 Wireless Controller for PS3.
Designed to enhance gameplay, the GC-2 Wireless Controller features juxtaposed joysticks, as preferred by first person shooter (FPS) gamers, for more natural finger positions and longer gaming sessions. The presence of two rumble motors ensures you feel every collision, explosion and tackle while the turbo function allows for fast and repetitive firing during intense battles.
There's no need to worry about running out of power as the high quality lithium battery allows for over 100 hours of playing time with a rumble-disabled sleep mode to extend battery life, meaning gamers can battle until they are the last man standing.
Including pressure-sensitive buttons that offer a variety of different movement and actions on the same button, the GC-2 controller also comes armed with high-quality analogue sticks to ensure accurate player movement on screen, making sure you're always one step ahead of the enemy.
Superior ergonomics including cut out shoulders and a soft touch lower cabinet ensures the profile of the pad fits all hand shapes and makes it more comfortable to hold during extended gameplay, meaning there is no excuse for defeat.
The GC-2 is the latest in a series of products brought to you by Gioteck, the leading third party accessories manufacturer which had the two top-selling wireless third party PS3 pads in 2012 (UK).
The GC-2's connection to your console is also future-proofed against any changes within Sony's firmware, as the latest updates can be downloaded straight from www.Gioteck.com should you need them.
The GC-2 not only gives you a competitive edge to take your friends apart, but has a look that will stand out from the crowd with a sleek black finish. Check it out below:
GC-2 controller for PS3
The GC-2 is available now on Amazon.com for $39.99 with more retailers to come. A Wii U version of the GC-2 will be available in the US beginning mid to late April. For more information and to join our mailing list visit www.gioteck.com
Key features:
2.4Ghz Wireless Connectivity – Simply insert the supplied dongle in a USB port and you will be gaming wire-free in a few seconds
Pressure Sensitive Thumbsticks – Programme one of four different levels of sensitivity to reflect your gaming style. Utilises the best component parts for rotational precision and no deadspots
Ergonomically Designed – For the utmost comfort for hours of gameplay with a tactile silk finish underneath and perfectly weighted rubberized handles
Superior Bumpers – Using state of the art technology for optimal spring loaded feedback.
Dual Vibration Feedback – 2 x rumble motors for more life-like immersive and responsive gameplay
Turbo Functionality – For user programmable rapid fire
Advanced Li-ion Battery – Installed to ensure hours of gameplay and rapid recharging
Auto Powersave – To conserve energy the auto powersave feature shuts down your controller after 5 minutes of inactivity.  745TDBanty 130826

What Are The Best Watch Movements?

Zen L. from Shanghai, China asks:

I have become pretty knowledgeable about watches in a relatively short time thanks in no small part to your wonderful site. But movements are still largely over my head. I understand that such technical knowledge comes with experience over time, but I would like more guidance. For example, I would like to be able to compare side by side many watches using the same ETA (or other) movement, but I have not yet found an internet source that quite achieves this. Prices often vary substantially between watches with the same machinery inside. So what characteristics make certain movements particularly good? And why specifically are Japanese (and others) so much cheaper? So I know there are many variables, but I am trying to phrase this in the form of a question, like on Jeopardy... As a relative novice, what should I look at in a watch's movement?

There is no straight-forward answer to this because for one thing the answer depends on what you value in a watch movement. Some people want the most accurate movements, some people want the most complicated. Others want the most beautifully decorated movements, while others want those that will work and work for years to come. Few movements are able to incorporate all of these things.
Having said that there are a few things that we can state. Also, we aren't watch makers so we can't go ultra in-depth comparing machine to machine as that level of insight isn't our forte. Swiss ETA movements produced by the Swatch Group are mostly excellent. From a sheer quality perspective these are hard to match. They may be common, they may not all be complicated, but they are durable and mostly very reliable. ETA produces a huge volume of movements each year, and has had decades to work out small issues in them in order to make some of the best mass-produced mechanical movements around. All things equal, they are fantastic.
To a large degree, those same qualities apply to Rolex movements, which are known to be accurate, dependable, and easily serviced. Something that is very important to know is that mass produced movements that do the same thing (say, three hand with date) but made from different companies are going to be technically very similar. In a way, it is like a car engine. If three movements are designs with the same functions and require the same level of performance - assuming they each use the same technology, how different are they actually going to be? In reality, not very different at all.

Then you have lower production and exotic watches. As a rule, the lower the production, the more expensive the movements are going to be. That is because the producer cannot earn revenue with volume and must recoup their investment on a limited number of produced items. There is also less incentive for low-production watches to be properly engineered or tested. The watch industry is full of horror stories of highly exotic watch movements not working from day 1 - and then the manufacturer asking for the clients to pay for the repair of defective movements. This is not the norm, but it happens a lot. 

So going back to our original thoughts, The more simple and higher production movements that have been produced for the longest are the best. Even the same movements are available in many grades. The famous Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement comes in many grades that increase in price for better parts and decoration.
Japanese movements are cheaper because of their production philosophy. For the most part, if you compare a mass produced ETA with a Miyota the ETA will have a higher level of performance and more attractive parts. But, of course, be much more expensive. Japanese movements are produced much more efficiently, and some of them actually come very close to Swiss performance, even if they don't look as pretty. Japanese movements are often produced outside of Japan where labor is cheaper, while the "Swiss Made" designation requires a more Swiss labor, and the price thereof. Those are some of the reasons that Japanese movements tend to be cheaper.
As you can see, a comparison of movements would be complex, and require a serious level of watchmaking and engineering that few people have. People who buy mechanical watches accept that they aren't as accurate as quartz movements, are more beautiful, and as machines will need to be serviced from time to time. If you are worried about quality and performance, go with brands that use high-grade movements from ETA, or have produced their own movements in-house for a long time offering them the ability to perfect the manufacturing process and work out any kinks in their movements. 745TDBanty 130820
From:http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ask-watch-experts/what-are-the-best-watch-movements/

Vintage Watch Collections

Please enjoy the following article by Jason Cormier of Matt Baily who sells watches in Canada. He is a vintage watch lover (lots of love to Rolex it seems) and natural born historian.
In today’s watch market, buyers are spoiled for choice. You can have any variation, any function, any material, and in any price category. And within each category you will find dozens of brands offering competing products. It’s overwhelming, but it means you will never be at a loss when looking for that special watch (or five).
Some of us prefer to reject all that choice altogether and go for the old junk.
Yes, I am a vintage watch lover. To a modern watch geek this obsession with the old can appear curious. To the average layperson it is absolute madness. I am the sort of lunatic who seeks out unpolished cases, perfectly faded tritium markers, and esoteric stuff like original crystals and stamped warranty papers. I am an unabashed and unapologetic vintage nut. And I would like to make a case for my obsession; not to justify it or convince anyone it is somehow superior, but merely to explain the passion that drives me to seek out vintage watches rather than purchasing new ones.

I’ve long followed Ariel Adams and John Biggs on the blogosphere. I am a fan of their candid and straightforward opinions, and their podcast together is a real treat for watch lovers who want something more than the typical industry press-release drivel. But I have taken exception to their attitudes towards vintage watches. Ariel and John are clear that they much prefer new watches to old ones, and have a hard time understanding why anyone would chose to buy vintage. That’s where I come in — I’m here to offer the counterpoint on behalf of vintage watch lovers and collectors.
Why would anyone want to collect old watches when the new stuff is far superior in terms of finishing and engineering? Everyone has his or her own reasons. Some older collectors purchase pieces that seduced them during their youth, but they couldn’t afford at the time. Others love to complete collections of a particular brand or model, obsessively seeking out different variations. Others still want to own rare pieces that are extremely exclusive and historically important. In my case, I have two main reasons — firstly I am a historian, secondly I always seek out things that are distinctive.
I have a degree in history and pieces with historical significance have always had a particular allure to me. Something about owning an object from another period that has witnessed decades of use, and perhaps been related to some important event, is a very romantic notion to me. I own a vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional because of its direct connection to the space program and the moon landings. I lust after an early Rolex GMT Master for its relation to aviation… and because my favourite author, the ever-gonzo Hunter S. Thompson, wore two GMT Masters at once. The other reason, distinctiveness, is the exclusivity of owning a vintage piece. Anyone can walk into a dealer and purchase a new watch. Vintage watches are much more exclusive and elusive, not for their prices, but for the small number of collectors who wear and trade them. Finding a good vintage piece requires hunting, research, and sifting through dozens of examples until you find “the one”. Some people seek out grail watches — for me every vintage watch is a grail piece that needs to be obsessively hunted down. The thrill is as much in the chase as it is in owning the damned thing.
Some vintage lovers will proclaim, loudly, that vintage was better than all this modern mass-produced junk. They pine for the good ol’ days where Swiss farmers finished wheels and cogs in their attics during the winter, using the finest tools wrapped in unicorn hair and only assembling components on the thighs of beautiful virgins, and say that modern mass production has nothing on good old-fashioned hand craftsmanship. I disagree. I work with cheap watches on a daily basis and I have no delusions about vintage stuff. It is not better. Often times it is worse in terms of performance, reliability and finishing. For highly collectible pieces the price does not reflect the essential value of the piece, it only reflects the rarity. That isn’t to say that vintage is garbage, far from it. You can have a reliable, accurate daily watch that was made several decades ago. But in terms of finishing and an overall feel of quality, new stuff wins hands down. You need to realize this when collecting vintage — just because prices reach into the stratosphere doesn’t mean the item will be astonishingly well made. It usually isn’t the case.

Being a vintage collector means having a different set of criteria for what you expect from watches. Where many people would gravitate towards a perfectly restored and polished examples, a true collector will scoff at those pristine rebuilds in favour of one that is entirely original (and probably well worn). This means the case was never re-polished, the dial and hands are original and nicely patina’d, and the bracelet is original to the watch. Finding a watch that is more than 20 years old with the original box and papers is a damn near religious experience, if you find one that is unmolested and completely original to boot it is a miracle.
If you can’t understand why this is important, then vintage probably isn’t for you - If every hairline scratch on your watch enrages you, or you obsessively scan over the watch with a loupe looking for tiny flaws, you are better off sticking to new pieces. This is usually what alienates people the most from vintage, the fact that old and beaten up is valued over new and pristine. Think of a concours restoration on a car versus a good running example that has never been restored. Collectors will go ga-ga over the original car, while the everyday person will gravitate towards the flawless nut-n-bolt restoration. Perfect originality is rare, and is thus desirable.

Ariel and John made a point in one of their podcasts — when collecting vintage, there is a lot of crap out there. And I agree. The market has shifted considerably since the 1970s. After the Quartz Crisis decimated the Swiss watch industry in the early 70s, mechanical movements were considered obsolete. In the 1980s and 1990s, the mechanical watch industry rebounded by focusing on the craftsmanship of fine mechanical movements (and aiming mechanical watches at the high-end market). Before the Quartz Crisis, mechanical movements were the only watch movements out there and had no such mystique outside of haute-complications.
Many inexpensive watches of yore were disposable commodities, like a modern Timex. Most were poorly made and were not at all impressive in terms of function or finishing. But with the emergence of quartz and the subsequent elevation of mechanical movements people are now viewing any mechanical watch as a luxury piece, no matter how awful it really is. Blame eBay and Antiques Roadshow for making people think that any old piece of junk is a potential fortune. Most people who get burned by the vintage market fall into the trap of buying junk, or are seduced by franken-pieces / fakes due to lack of research. I’ll admit that collecting vintage is not for the faint of heart and requires a lot of background information — which I find is most of the fun.

Collecting vintage is not for the uninitiated. I don’t recommend it to people with a casual interest in watches. You need to inform yourself and be aware of junk, fakes, aftermarket parts, disreputable sellers, poorly serviced movements and basket-cases, franken-watches cobbled from parts, etc. Today’s buyers have the advantage of reams of information available online for just about any marque. If you have an interest in a particular brand or model, start researching. You’ll be amazed at how much information you can find on websites, blogs and forums. You’ll also be amazed by how many horror stories are out there, which is good fodder for learning from the mistakes of others. It helps to find a reputable brick and mortar store that deals in pre-owned and vintage watches; if you build a relationship with a knowledgeable retailer you will be much less likely to get burned. You will also want to find a good watchmaker with a lot of experience, as it is inevitable that you will need to get your pieces serviced. Having a good watchmaker at your disposal can make the process much less painful and far less expensive.
I’m not here to try and convince anyone that vintage is better. If you look at it logically it doesn’t make sense at all — you will have far fewer headaches if you stick to new stuff with the backup of a manufacturer’s warranty and the support of a modern sales and service network. What I hope to have done is given a small glimpse of the passion I have for watches in general and how this has turned into a love of vintage pieces. I find it irritating when people dismiss vintage watch collecting out of hand. It takes a particular personality to enjoy vintage collecting. If you have that spark, run with it - if you don’t, then find your own niche. It’s a lot more fun to hunt down rare vintage items than it is walking into an authorize dealer and walking out with a watch. Loving vintage watches is all about passion — it can’t be rationalized or made logical. If you think about it, owning any high-end watch isn’t rational anyway. You can tell the time with your cell phone with perfect accuracy - why spend thousands on a device that tells time with obsolete and archaic technology? Why indeed.

Are There Watch-Wearing Style Rules?

Zen L. from Shanghai, China asks:

Is there any conventional wisdom, style guidelines, or style taboos about wearing a watch?? It seems a lot of people are wearing watches below the wrist bone, which I do with a steel bracelet, but not with a leather strap. My dad and people in old photographs sometimes wore them on the underside of the wrist, which seems to work for smaller, thinner watches. Am secretly I being mocked by fashionistas for wearing a steel watch at the same time as a brass belt buckle?? These are silly questions. So silly answers are not inappropriate.

There really isn't an answer to this because as is the case with all things, personal style and what you want to communicate coincides with how you dress and carry yourself. We shared an Esquire article back in 2008 that discussed what they felt wearing your watch in certain ways said about you. It was just one take on the matter, of course. When it comes down to it, you will look your best when you wear what you like, comfortably.
Having said that, we have some rules that we feel most watch lovers tend to abide by. First of all, sizing your watch is important. It doesn't need to but ultra tight and fitted if you like a slightly loose fit, but don't just take it out of the box and strap it on. The watch shouldn't fall off your wrist (or look like it is about to). Also, while some people seem to prefer it, it is sort of a 'no no' to wear your watch on the underside of your wrist. It not only defeats the purpose of allowing people to see it, but in a lot of instances it can make it easier to scratch up your watch. Where you wear your watch on your wrist (high or low) is really up to you.
We can also mention that from a size perspective the lugs shouldn't extend much or at all past the edge of your wrist (then it is too large), and watches that appear too small are usually considered feminine on a man. When it comes to colors and how to match a watch with your wardrobe, conventional wisdom is best. You should match your watch strap color with your shoes and belt, and it possible it looks nice to compliment your clothing colors with your watch... or for some people compliment your watch with clothing colors.
Because we've seen it before (a lot) we'd also like to stress that wearing a quartz watch with a dead battery makes one look like a fool. 745TDBanty 130813

From:http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ask-watch-experts/what-are-watch-wearing-style-rules/