Which Watch Brand Spends the Most on Advertising?
Watch?brands spent almost half a billion dollars on advertising in the U.S in 2013. The total was $492.68 million: a record high, and up 23.3 percent from the 2012 total. That figure comes from Kantar Media, which each year compiles estimates of ad spending for a range of different products. The figures for 2013 signal that the U.S. watch market is still growing, especially as Swiss luxury brands turn their sights back from China to this country.Last year was the fourth year in a row of growth in U.S. watch advertising. Sixty-nine brands spent more than $1 million on ads, a new record. To reach last year's top 25, a watch company had to spend $4.66 million. That's 28 percent more than it took to make the list in 2012.?Rolex continued to hold its spot at the top of the list. The brand has been number one since 2000, when it dethroned Timex. Last year, it spent $61.48 million, making it the first brand ever to exceed $60 million. Rolex beat its 2012 record of $52.14 million by 17.9 perce

Roger Dubuis EasyDiver Blackswan Watch
As a supplement to the new for 2010 EasyDiver collection (that I wrote about here), Roger Dubuis has released a limited edition EasyDiver Black Swan watch you see before you. These are all revisions of years of EasyDiver watches and/or other sport models from Roger Dubuis - most have been good, all have been interesting.The Black Swan, as it is called, is named as such for use of a black ceramic bezel. While ceramic bezels are no longer particularly uncommon, this one is interesting given how complex the shape is. It is still not nearly as easy to cut ceramic as it is metal. For instance, how many square ceramic cases have you seen? While I don't know the particular ins and outs of how the bezel was made, I would guess it is significantly more complex than just a ring-shaped ceramic bezel. The complexity comes in with the notches and the numerals done in reliefwatches-dealerpared to the watches from 2010 the Black Swan certain has more of a night look. I would go so far as to say "blac

A Look At Cartier's New Maison de M��tiers d��Arts In La Chaux-de-Fonds
If, somewhere out there, there is a harmonious valley in which watch-lovers can meditate, if there is a monastery in which they can discover inner peace – then Cartier’s new Maison de Métiers d’Arts in La Chaux-de-Fonds is likely to be that Shangri-La. It’s a place where one can admire and concentrate on the meticulous effort that makes the dials of haute horology.Cartier has transformed an old barn into a state-of-the-art watchmaking facility, showroom and greeting space for guests. In doing so, they’ve fulfilled the manufacture’s goal of providing a space that blends the company’s rich history with its current innovative watchmaking techniques. 2 OF 15 The ground floor sets the mood in blending the old and the new. It’s a fusion of 18th century limestone, wood, and period furniture that provides a conversational environment for visitors. The main lobby that leads to the other floors of the facility is a modern struc

About to take the plunge on a Diver
Hi guys,Long time forum reader but wanted to jump in with my first post. I am narrowing in on a long considered purchase of a ROO Diver 15710 with black dial. For me the open case back is the biggest factor vs the 15703 to see the amazing workmanship of the movement, especially as this will be my first 'holy trinity' piece. When I first began scoping out AP I was set on the 15400, but even after trying all three dial colours it never grabbed me the same way as when I first tried on the diver - I almost bought it there and then on the spot !One thing though that I am intrigued about is the price difference (when at full retail at any rate) between the diver and the 15400. In my book the diver, absent the virtually handmade bracelet, which clearly adds to the overall cost of manufacture should be positioned at a lower cost than the diver with a rubber strap. This is further compounded when the difference in dial manufacture method is taken into account, considering the presumed cost to m

AP Movements
Does AP ever supply movements to other companies? Someone said Chanel may use AP movements in some of their watches.Can anyone confirm or deny? And if so, are they standard AP movements or something different?TIA,-Marc