Inside Nivarox - The Heart Of The Swiss Watch Industry
Nivarox is probably the most important company in the entire world of Swiss watch making. Now owned by the Swatch Group, Nivarox makes the vast majority of the parts that make mechanical watch movements function. Today the company's official name is "Nivarox FAR" and I finally now what that means. The term allows you to understand the industrial nature of the group's goal. Comprised of about four plant locations around Switzerland, "Nivarox" is a contraction of "ni variable, ni oxydable." In other words "neither variable nor oxidable." I'll explain what that all means in a moment. "FAR" roughly translates into an acronym for "Affiliated Assortments Manufacturers."So what is not supposed to be variable or oxidize? Balance springs of course (also called hair springs). These little necessary parts are at the heart of what Nivarox has historically produced, and the primary component they are known for today. Though in reality the Nivarox FAR of today produces so much more.For those who are

Fortis "Cargo" Movie Limited Edition Spacematic & Spaceleader Watches
Heard of the science fiction movie Cargo? No? Neither did I until recently. It will be released soon and is a Swiss film. I didn't know they make sci-fi movies, but I will go with it. Check out the trailer here. We have seen this plot before. Can't say how good the movie will be based on the trailer so we will wait until it comes out soon. Nevertheless, Swiss Fortis will come out with two very cool watches in celebration of the movie. My favorite being the Fortis Cargo Limited Edition Spaceleader watch. A very cool timepiece with a sophisticated futuristic look and a nice Valjoux 7750 mechanical movement.To be fair, Fortis did not come up with all of the design themselves. You can see some borrowing from brands such as Xemex and Ventura, but you should really not care. The spacey looking asymmetrical case make for just watch the spaceship captain ordered. The the design was actually a collaboration between Fortis and Volkswagen Design. More on the watches in a moment. You know that For

Watch Spotting: Roger Dubuis Wearing A Roger Dubuis Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Moonp
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Roger Dubuis manufacture outside of Geneva and had the double pleasure of meeting Mr. Dubuis himself. After touring the manufacture and learning of the rigorous processes behind the Poinçon de Genève standard, we were led into a large conference room with a sweeping view of Mont Blanc and the not-yet-completed Richemont Campus Genevois de Haute Horology. When Dubuis entered the room – situated quite literally at the crux of the old guard and future of the industry – one of the key things on my mind was what was on his wrist that day. 2 OF 4 The 37mm case sits elegantly on the wrist. The Roger Dubuis Sympathie Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Moonphase was introduced around 1995-1996. The 37mm stylized cushion-shaped gold case appears baroque, but not in an offensive way. On the off-white dial, the real features of the watch stand out: a minimal moon-phase complication at 6 o’clock with a s

Any pics of 26405 on grey Schumi strap?
Wondering if any of you guys who have the ROO 44mm ceramic with anthracite dial has mounted a grey rubber strap off a Schumacher LE? Seems like I saw some buy can't find them now...gotta be a killer combo!Thanks in advance

Day Date 40 YG vs WG opinions please...
I would love to hear the communities opinion on these two beautiful pieces.