$1,001-$5,000

The Rolex Submariner is one of the most recognized luxury watches in the world. It originally went into production in 1953, and was first presented to the public in 1954 at the Basel watch fair.

For this photo review, I got my hands on one of my friends recent acquisitions, a pre-owned 2007 Black Bezel Submariner. This watch is probably the most copied timepiece on the market, with many replica manufacturers copying the design. Even with all the knockoffs, this classic timepiece still commands top dollar on the pre-owned market. Due in part because of its fame, high demand, and of course, the name on the dial. Another less known factor, is that Rolex generally raises its price every year. You can generally find a pre-owned stainless steel Submariner in good condition for $3,500-$4,500 with the date (a little less without a date function). A new Submariner, with a ceramic bezel, starts at about $7,000. So as you can see, just going a few years back, will literally save you thousands. And in the case of the watch that I have photographed here, the buyer actually got it less than the selling price range above. (I'll tell you the actual price he paid below.)

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Breitling has issued a new version of their Chronospace quartz pilot watch. The movement, like all Breitling movements, is COSC chronometer-certified. Passing the chronometer standards that the COSC sets is actually fairly easy for a mechanical timepiece, however, for a quartz caliber, it must be much more accurate in terms of rate. The end result is a movement ten times more accurate than an ordinary quartz movement - SuperQuartz™.

Ever since Breitling launched the Navitimer in the 1940s, with a navigational slide rule bezel, they have been known for their professional use pilot watches. And like the Navitimers of past and present, the Chronospace features the famous circular slide rule bezel for handling essential calculations regarding airborne navigation.

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During a recent visit to the Maurice de Maurice, Zurich based boutique, workshop and headquarters, I was so impressed by the styling, value and quality of Maurice de Mauriac timepieces, that I had to have one. So, I ordered one, with my exact dial, bezel, case and strap preferences. Two weeks later, my watch arrived at my house in Denver, Colorado.

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Edox recently announced the WRC Chronorally timepiece for use in professional rally racing. In conjunction with the World Rally Chamionship, Edox has created an entire collection dedicated to the world's best rally drivers and their co-drivers.

The new WRC Chronograph has many functions. In addition to the standard displays, it offers a host of new possibilities including stage timing with an accumulated stage time, recount/replay mode, countdown mode and chronograph.

All these functions are operated by means of the pushpieces and the crown, which, with its outsize design, is easily gripped by the gloved hands of a rally driver. The WRC Chronograph also boasts other rally-themed details like a raised caseback which represents a WRC wheel rim and a rubber wristband featuring a car tyre tread pattern.

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Maurice de Mauriac Storefront in Zurich Financial District

During my annual trip to Switzerland, to attend the Baselworld show, I like to visit some of the important Swiss watchmakers who do not exhibit in Basel. I started doing this last year, when I toured the renowned Vallée de Joux manufacture Audemars Piguet, in Le Brassus. This year I actually setup two separate watchmaker trips, one to another famous Vallée de Joux manufacture, Jaeger-LeCoultre, in La Sentier (photos coming soon). The other, to Zurich's only watchmaker - Maurice de Mauriac.

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Xetum is a hybrid Swiss watch brand, designed and incorporated in California, with all timepieces being produced in Switzerland. Like so many recently launched small watch brands, they sell to their clientele exclusively via the web. This network-based organizational structure is a great way to offer customers quality products, at more reasonable prices than many of the bigger brands.

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Magrette is an interesting new watchmaker, based in New Zealand. They offer all of their watch collections in limited editions of 500 or less. This particular wristwatch is actually limited to only 10 pieces worldwide. Prices range from under $500 for watches with a Miyota 8215 movement, to over $4,500 with an ETA 2824-2 movement. The Magrette "Tane" (pictured) is powered by a swiss made ETA 2824-2 and features beautiful hand engraved artwork on the case, caseback , buckle and rotor. The box is even cool, it is handcrafted from timber milled from the Kauri tree, a protected New Zealand native.

(Note: I am currently testing one of the new $485 mechanical dive watches from Magrette. It will be online, with original images, before Baselworld 2010.)

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