| An interview with Markus Harris, the Director of | | | | other jewels. |
| Communications for the National Association of Watch | | | | Fans of Rolex watches will always love owning and |
| and Clock Collectors, gives us good insight into what | | | | buying more Rolexes, however today, there are so |
| propels one to buy a watch and what kinds of | | | | many choices that it almost seems "passé" to |
| watches are hot right now. | | | | buy a Rolex. A lot of celebrities favor Rolex and this |
| At the time of the interview which was conducted by | | | | has kept the brand alive, especially among today's |
| The Palm Beach Post, Mr. Harris was asked what kind | | | | young rich and famous. Other brands favored by |
| of watch he was wearing? The answer may surprise | | | | celebrities include Breitling and Audemars Piguet. Of |
| you However, his bottom line is that watches are | | | | course, Cartier watches will always be loved and |
| emotional purchases, things that are bought because | | | | sought after. |
| they become family heirlooms and as in Harris' case, | | | | Another thing which can influence the price of a watch |
| that doesn't mean it has to cost a lot. | | | | is when it was made. There is a comeback in vintage |
| He wears a 1906 Elgin pocket watch bought by his | | | | watches. Like vintage cars, if the piece has been well |
| great-grandfather and which has been in his family for | | | | preserved and runs well, then it can fetch an even |
| three generations. Because of its gold case it's worth | | | | higher price because it will appeal to people's emotions |
| about $300, but that's it. These days with the price of | | | | and memories of the "old times." |
| gold having sky-rocketed it's hard to buy a gold watch | | | | When asked about his favorite watch, Mr. Harris |
| for that amount. | | | | responds that he currently likes anything by Gallet and |
| Being made out of gold is one thing that will make a | | | | has always been a fan of Patek Philippe. When it |
| watch expensive. The brand that produces the watch | | | | comes to American-made watches he has an affinity |
| is also a factor, if it is a jewelry watch or not, what | | | | for those from the 1950's, specifically the Omega |
| kind of movements it has and what other precious | | | | Speedmaster and Rolex Oyster. |
| metals may be used - such as gold and platinum. Many | | | | When asked what he thinks is the most "important" |
| watches are made from stainless steel and the | | | | watch today, he responds by saying he likes some of |
| watchmaking industry is also using titanium and carbon | | | | the experimental designs of Japanese watches (the |
| fiber to create new looks and light-weight timepieces. | | | | one Japanese brand that most people know is Seiko) |
| The number of complications of a luxury watch also | | | | and that URWERK's UR 202 is "quite intriguing — |
| contributes to the price - a second hand, chronometer, | | | | the mechanical use of twin turbines in an automatic. |
| chimes and other features are "extras", as can be the | | | | That's cutting-edge horology." URWERK is a German |
| decorative design / engraving, etc. | | | | company that was founded by two brothers in 1997. |
| A brand like Rolex, because of its name and | | | | Taken from the company's website, a description of |
| reputation, can and does command high prices. | | | | the UR 202 reads "time on the UR-202 is displayed |
| However, there are many, many luxury watches | | | | using telescopic minute hands operating through the |
| produced by smaller, boutique - like companies that are | | | | middle of three orbiting and revolving hour satellites. It is |
| so unique and produced in such limited editions that | | | | the world's first wristwatch featuring an innovative |
| they can command upwards of hundreds of | | | | new winding system regulated by compressing air |
| thousands of dollars. Of course, these pieces are sure | | | | utilizing minature turbines. |
| to be jewelry watches, decked out in diamonds and | | | | |