The "It's Good To Be King Watch:" Backes & Strauss Berkeley Diamond Watch
Ah...back way before you were even a sprinkle of DNA in your ancestors' gene pool, Backes and Strauss was supplying the world with precious precious diamonds. This was in 1789, when I hear diamonds were still cut using dinosaur teeth, or something similar. From diamond supply all over the navigable planet, to headquarters in London, Backes and Strauss was supplying the landed aristocracy all over with shiny bling. There is bling-worthy, and then there is top-of-the-heap classy that will get even royalty to take notice of the not so small fortune on your wrist. This is where the Backes and Strauss watches come in.The Franck Muller Group -owned Backes and Strauss watch division has a mission that seems pretty simple. In my own words; make really nice, well designed watches, that are prohibitively expensive, with lots of diamonds. Despite this lofty ambition and young nature as a watch maker, they are succeeding. My favorite among their growing line, is the Men's Berkeley watch. And what

Spoke with my favorite dealer on the phone and . . .
he had some interesting info for me.As has been reported, Omega is increasing the MSRP of the Speedmaster Professional line of watches. This will be in the range of $500-$600 to cover the cost of the new box and goodies:Always thinking ahead, my dealer has greatly increased his inventory of Speedy Pros in their various flavors. These he will make available at the current MSRP but when they are gone, there will be no more.Don't know about you but I wear the watch and not the box. No way I am going to spend that kind of money on packaging. I've even put a couple of my special Omega boxes (one mahogany and one leather) on the market. They were just taking up space in the closet.He also mentioned that he still had a few of the Gen I, cal 2500 Planet Oceans in stock. I am now awaiting arrival of my BNIB, 42mm, cal. 2500D, Planet Ocean. (It may become a safe queen.)

OMEGA my 2nd 3573.50
Omega Hand cranker on Bond such a versitile timepiece

Pam375
One of the most comfortable 47mm luminors on the wrist.

Everyone is asking if I still own my Rolex?
At some events I wear my New Datejust and at some I don't. I like my collection that includes other quality brands. However, it is the Rolex that everyone notices but do not comment on. On vacation this week in Maui with family and friends the question came up where's the Rolex? I didn't bring it. It made me think about their question since they have never mentioned the watch before.Rolex is the one brand that eyeryone knows, notices and respects. I'm wearing another Swiss chrono that no one remotely cares about outside some golfers 🏌️*♀️ at the Sentry tournament who give it a look.The truth is folks in this forum know that there are lots of other excellent brands available. The problem is they are still not a Rolex. Should you buy one you might be the only person in the room that knows what it is!