Swiss Watch Exports to USA Drop Nearly 50% in February
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry reports that the value of Swiss watch exports to the U.S. market declined in February by 47.5% compared with February 2008 levels. For the first two months of 2009, the value of exports to the U.S.A. is down 38% compared with the same period last year. Hardest hit were watches priced at 500 to 3000 Swiss francs (about $445 to $2670 at press time), sales of which were down by more than 40% in terms of both units and value. Exports of watches priced at 200 to 500 francs or $178 to $445 were down about 33%.Watches priced above 3000 francs fared best, registering a decline of 6.6% by value and a bit over 10% in units. Based on materials, as might be expected, steel watches were the hardest hit with exports down about 29% based on units and value. Gold/steel bimetallic watches were off about 37% based on units and value. Exports of platinum watches increased 9.7% by value while falling 13% measured in units. Looking at the bigger picture, Switzerla

Development of the mark of Vacheron Constantin in the market of the United States
Moving forward, Mr. pine will focus on the further development of the mark of Vacheron Constantin in the market of the United States, ensure that it must be a position of pre-eminence in the watchmaking sector. He will be based at the headquarters of the city of New York of Vacheron Constantin and live in the State of New York with his wife and three children.

Forged Carbon Diver or ROO Chrono?
I am considering a plunge back into AP. I have owned 3 AP's in the past SS Diver, Volcano, and 15400. All three are gone but I am getting the AP bug once again. Between the FC Diver and the new Style 42mm ROO Chrono's which do you gents prefer?

P.O. 2500 v P.O. 8500
I'm currently considering buying a Planet Ocean. In the UK the retail price for the 2500 is currently ?2800. The retail price for the 8500 is ?3800.While I generally prefer the look of the 8500 I'm just not entirely convinced (yet) on the more grey like colour of the ceramic bezel on the 8500.I'm assuming I would get little or no discount on the 8500 but would be confident I'd able to to negotiate something off the 2500, so the price difference between the two models could be in excess of ?1000.Does anyone have any experience of both models? Is the new model really worth the extra ??Also, having never owned an Omega before I would not be used to a bracelet that does not have a micro adjustment. I appreciate the PO has a half link for sizing but I'm assuming it does not give the same degree of adjustment as a Rolex clasp for example. How easy is it to get a comfortable fit with the PO bracelet?

Dial size versus watch case size
I tried to look this up from past posts but didn't find an answer is it true that the dial size of the DD2 and the dial size of the DD40 Are actually the same exact size?In other words interchangeable with each other's cases?So the 39 mm Rolex DD masterpieces are probably the same size dial as the 36Day date but just with the 39 mm case?