Bell & Ross Ceramic Watches

Watch maker Villemont Geneve recently filed for bankruptcy after the boutique brand declared it was insolvent. After closing its doors, the brand made no mention of being purchased or saved, though their website is still operational. This comes as sad news as the weakening economy is beginning to have a serious effect on watch makers, especially those with a low volume output. Villemont produced only 311 watches last year, with a volume around that amount on average each year. The company employed just over a dozen employees. When a watch maker sells only a small amount of watches each, it relies on a good deal of profit from each watch. A large dip in sales from a company with already slim distribution can spell disaster. Larger companies with higher volume and wider distribution are not immune from the economic situation, but can hold on much better. In stronger economic times, boutique brands with niche products offer wonderful variety to the watch industry. The current economic situation will likely spell disaster for many unique brands just like Villemont, and larger companies may be less likely to offer experimental or overly avant garde watch designs until the economy improves.Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The Regulator timepiece has an almost mystical status in horological history due to its traditional role as the reference clock used by the watchmaker to time the accuracy of all other clocks and watches. The case, in stainless steel, measures 46mm x 56mm x 20mm. It features various sapphire crystals in compound curves, beveled edges, with anti-reflection coating on both main faces and the display back. It is water resistant to 100 meters. The case is made of 45 components ! Movement is the automatic Rebellion in-house caliber REB-7, with 23 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 42 hours. It features galvanic black gold plates, a gold date ring and gold plated wheels. It was developed by master watchmaker Laurent Besse.