EU Probes Watch Manufacturers Over Parts Supply Policies
European Union (EU) antitrust regulators have announced that they will investigate claims that luxury watch manufacturers are refusing to supply spare parts to independent watchmakers and repairers, a breach of EU competition rules. The European Commission did not identify the companies involved in the probe, however Swatch Group has confirmed that it is one of the targets. Reuters quotes Swatch Group spokesperson Beatrice Howald as stating that the investigation “concerns almost the entire watch industry” and that Swatch Group is “confident regarding the outcome of this investigation.” As this story goes to press, Richemont and LVMH have not issued statements.The regulators will investigate a complaint lodged in 2004 by the European Confederation of Watch & Clock Repairers' Associations, or CEAHR. That complaint claimed that the manufacturers’ parts policies threaten to drive independent watchmakers out of business, as there are no alternate sources f

Luminox Sponsors USA Olympic Bobsled and Skeleton Team
The U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Team is well on the way to achieving medal-level victory in the Winter 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, in February, and Luminox is a proud partner in the team’s effort. Both the men's and women's teams have been performing with outstanding success on the 2009-2010 World Cup tour. The U.S. team has collected 13 medals to date, five of them gold. Reigning World Champion Steven Holcomb contributed six medals to the overall count after adding four gold medals to his growing resume, and currently leads in four-man standings.Bobsled legend Todd Hays had to give up his dream of racing in his fourth Olympics after he suffered a life-threatening brain injury from a crash during a Winterburg, Germany training run. Nonetheless, he was at the Lake Placid, NY America's Cup competition to bolster the US team forward. Only the top three ranked sleds among the nations will be granted a spot at the 2010 Olympics, and the U.S. has a strong chance to qualify the ma

Hands-On: Zenith Launches A Suite Of Three New High Complications In New Materials (Including A Platinum Hurricane)
Zenith has just announced that three of its most complicated watches, which premiered this year in new case materials, are now available – and we had a chance recently to go hands-on with the new models, and gather some first impressions of these very exotic and very rarely seen timepieces. The new models are a limited edition platinum version of the Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Georges-Favret Jacot, and titanium versions of the Academy Georges Favret-Jacot (with fusée and chain) and the El Primero Tourbillon. 1 OF 12 Above, Academy Christophe Colomb Hurricane Georges Favret-Jacot in platinum The Academy Georges Favret-Jacot was launched, as we reported last year, for the firm’s 150th anniversary and is named for Zenith’s founder, Georges Favret-Jacot, who founded the firm in Le Locle in 1865 at the age of 22. The Academy Georges Favret-Jacot is a technically very interesting watch; it combines a high-frequency escapement (36,00

Ap diver
New to AP what sorts of discounts would be expected on a diver? How much are they? Sick of waiting for Rolex stock levels and stupid waiting listsAny recommendations for an AD in and around sheffield South Yorkshire Preferably want to buy new or nearly newThanks

Planet Ocean Rubber Strap Question
Hi Guys, I have been tossing around the idea of buying the Omega rubber strap for my Planet Ocean. I have a friend with the same watch and he bought a knock off rubber strap. It looks good but seems to collect dust like crazy. I was just wondering if it's because it's a cheap rubber or if the real rubber strap attracts dust too. I would hate to drop $500 on the strap and end up hating it because it always looks dirty. If anyone has one they are offering to sell, I may be interested. Let me know. Thanks guys!