An unexpected act of kindness that almost brought a tear to my eye

As strange as it sounds I have never received a watch as a gift except once. A while ago after the watch night talk a visitor to our workshop pulled out a Russian watch in a cardboard box. "This one is for you Nick. Thank you for a wonderful night". I had the watch for a few years and ended up regifting it, which I believe is an appropriate thing to do.  Literally half an hour ago, Trent, a sales representative for Mondaine watches came to the office. He brought with him a bunch of the latest catalogues and we discussed a new order. Then, out of the blue, he showed me a watch from another brand - a sample that had just arrived to Australia. A limited edition carbon fibre body sports piece on a cherry red rubber strap. "Oh, this is an amazing watch" I said. "I am sure many of your subscribers would love it" he said.  I said: "no I would love it for myself. We actually just got back from Switzerland and I met the manufacturers who make those cases. Carbon fibre watches are really a big hit in France and Switzerland. It's such an understated material and it looks like frozen meteorite. And before I can recommend it to our subscribers I would love to wear it myself for a month. Please invoice it and send one whenever it becomes available."  On that note Trent simple handed over the watch. "You can have it Nick. It's a present." I really don't know what to say, I am absolutely blown away with Trent's generosity. The reason why this newsletter is delayed is because I couldn't help myself but to play with the watch. I'm not going to disclose the brand or the model but it is a Swiss automatic watch. 47mm case size, 52mm including crown. I will keep you posted over the next few weeks but if you stop by you will see me wearing it.

Is an automatic watch the right watch for you?

(Or would you be better off with a battery operated one?) Battery operated watches have a number of benefits over a mechanical self-winding (automatic) watch. Without exception, quartz watches keep much better time, they are more robust, and easier to repair. Actually, from a practical perspective, and from the view of a watch owner who needs a watch just to tell time, nothing beats an inexpensive quartz watch. So why would anyone invest in an expensive mechanical watch which is a rather average time keeper, complex to service and sensitive to shock and magnetic field?  Unfortunately I have no answer to this question. Some questions are simply impossible to answer in a logical, meaningful way. The real question is this: how do you know if an automatic watch would be a good choice for you? You don't, unless you actually try.  Yes, it is tempting to go online and Google for a 'cheap automatic watch’. Unfortunately, very soon, you will find out that cheap automatic watches are just that - either cheap and nasty, or worn out, or in need of repair. Waste of time and waste of money. I suggest you save your time and do the right thing: invest in a brand new automatic watch. There are plenty of choices, and as said before, nothing beats a brand new watch. However, if you are busy, and your time is precious, and you have no desire to search thousands of watches online from thousands of sellers, I propose that you put your trust in me. I have been handling watches for decades, have sold tens of thousands, and I am more than confident to recommend an affordable, well made, automatic watch. Put it this way: if a watch of my choice does not meet your requirement and expectations, then you are simply a person better suited with a battery operated timepiece. Why am I so confident?  1. Money is important. You won't get a Swiss Made automatic watch of a decent quality for less than $999. 2. Design is important. You want a watch of timeless design that can be worn and enjoyed, but also passed on to the next generation. 3. Servicing is important: a watch has to be robust, reliable and above all, repairable. 4. Choice of straps: again, very important. There is nothing more annoying than to find out in two years time that a strap for your watch is no longer available, or that it costs more than the watch itself. A watch strap of an ergonomic design and standard lugs width is what you want. Any leather, any colour, any thickness - endless choices. 5. Guarantee on performance is crucial. Not 3 months or 12 months, not even 3 years. You trust my choice, and I'll be happy to offer a 5 years guarantee on performance! So here it is: a Swiss Mondaine Railway Watch, 41mm case size, automatic, robust, reliable, repairable, water resistant with 20mm lugs width! List price $1,099. Yours for just $999.  Buy it, wear it for a few months, and if you are not happy with the performance of an automatic watch, then there is really no reason to look for an Omega or a Rolex. It's simple as that, risk free exercise. There is one more thing I must stress out: the price of $999 for this watch is simply amazing. I only have a few watches in stock, and the next order is not coming in any time soon. When the new batch arrives, the price won't be the same. Be quick, take advantage of this generous offer.

Fitted on a Hirsch Artisan Leather strap ($70)

Hirsh red stitching strap ($50)

Easy-release spring bars. No tools required to change strap.

What is the official Swiss Railway clock?

 

What is the official Swiss Railway clock? In 1944 the Swiss Federal Railway made the decision to standardise and modernise the railway platform clock. Prior to then, every station had its own clock, often in its unique, local style. To add to that, only a few of those electric clocks were synchronised to central time. The first official clock was designed by engineer Hans Hilfiker in 1945. Hilfiker’s last and final version dates from 1955. Since then the official railway clock remains unchanged.

No numbers? Hilfiker was Swiss German and designed the clock dial in an industrial Bauhaus style. The core principle: minimalist but highly legible. Seventy years later, the clock dial design still remains as fresh as ever. Actually, the clock dial is now regarded as one of the 20 most iconic watch faces of all time, on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Arts in New York.  What is the deal with red 'dot' seconds hand? The seconds hand symbolises the red train master’s paddle. It is synonymous with punctuality and accuracy. A clock like no other? Indeed. The official railway clock features a unique function know as the 'stop to go'. That famous red seconds hand completes a full rotation in 58 seconds, and then pauses at the 12 o’clock mark for two seconds while the black minute hand jumps forward - starting its next rotation. Back in the 1950s the two second ‘pause’ was required to re-synchronise the network of over 3000 clocks run all over Switzerland. Today it is an iconic feature associated with what we call ‘Swissness’. SBBCFFFFSWTF? The letters on the dial are acronyms for 'Swiss Federal Railways' in German, French, and Italian: SBB CFF FFS 'Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses, Ferrovie Federali Svizzere' Who is Mondaine? In 1986, the Mondaine watch company, owned by the Bernheim family, obtained the license from the Federal Swiss Railway to make timepieces featuring the Official Swiss Railway clock design. Mondaine makes wrist and pocket watches, as well as clocks. Who wears Mondaine timepieces? Watch enthusiasts who are fussed about minimalistic design, architects and graphic designers, those who have an ‘artistic flair’, or those who are simply concerned with the environment. But above all: people who value punctuality. The challenge The main challenge for Mondaine is to remain relevant while remaining ‘true’ to probably the most stringent design requirement: the watch dial. The fundamental premise is that dial design must remain unchanged to the last iota of shape, font, and style. This is an extremely difficult task for any watch brand. Mondaine keeps pushing the borders with technical innovations, variation of mechanisms, strap colours and environmentally friendly materials incorporated in the never-changing watch style. Actually, the very fact that the next Mondaine watch will look like the one from 1986 is the reason for the loyal support of hardcore brand followers. Mondaine is a club. The Mondaine project is timeless, and it’s here to stay.

We are pleased to offer you a range of the official 'Swiss Federal Railway’ Mondaine timepieces Buying a watch from a watchmaker makes a lots of sense. In all fairness - why would you shop anywhere else? Like any other watch, Mondaine watches are repairable as long as the spare parts are made available to the watchmaker, and as you are fully aware, we are passionate about watchmaking. Meaning: we will be on Mondaine’s back on your behalf, for as long as possible. In addition, we offer 5 years battery replacement free of charge on all Mondaine watches. A battery replacement is easy and could be done on the spot, while you wait. Does Mondaine make mechanical automatic watches too? Yes. We have the 41.5mm steel auto in stock. See below.  What is the “Original Mondaine”? The original is the purest white dial design watch which comes in 3 sizes: 30, 36, and 40mm and bears no other markings on the dial except ‘swiss made’. Battery operated.

A sophisticated present - to yourself I cannot think of a more sophisticated present than the official Swiss Federal Railway designed clock. Silver, black, or red, varying in size, built to last, and priced correctly. My personal pick: the largest of them all - the 40cm monster in brushed aluminium. An absolutely stunning clock; the kind of clock which would fit perfectly well in a harbourside mansion, busy city office, or a summer house cottage somewhere in the Snowy mountains. The smaller 25cm clock is just adorable. I am looking for a specific Mondaine timepiece…? If it is available in the current catalogue, then we can get it for you. Price match? You bet.