Seiko Mother of Pearl Swarovski Crystal Two-tone Ladies Watch SUJG55

Switzerland - China Free-Trade Agreement Will Greatly Disrupt Swiss Watch Sales Globally
Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs of Switzerland with the Chinese Minister of Commerce. Image Credit: AFPSeveral days ago something of great importance to the global luxury watch industry happened in Beijing. On July 6th, 2013 Switzerland and China signed a bilateral free-trade agreement. A historic move, it is the first agreement of its type between China and a European country, and the deal was motivated on the Swiss side by the interests of the watch industry. While potentially good for the Swiss watch industry, the move will likely have devastating effects on the global watch retail market over the next few years.China is the single largest importer of Swiss goods next to the European Union and the United States of America. Estimates put the trade value of bilateral trade between Switzerland and China at over $26 billion. About 32% of that is Swiss watches. Chinese consumers have a great fondness for European luxury goods, including, to a lar

Big Thank You to KW!!!
KW,I want to say a very big thank you for your leadership and contribution in this forum. Hope that your health will improve soon and please continue to share the things that make you smile - Orient or whatever watch that you fancy with us. your friend always!

Grail Time!!
In the late 50s, Elgin brought out the 13/0 711 series of movements. Most of them have sub-seconds, but a few had sweep seconds. The sweep second works were apparently not very successful, because when the Durabalance versions came out in 1958, the sweep second drive was much simpler.There were three models. There was a 17j model, the 630, which was actually a 8/0 round movement made in Switzerland, but with all the pieces compatible with the US built 711 series. There was a 23j version, the 724, which one sees in the Horizon Look modelsThe 724 comes up fairly frequently, and the 630 a little less.But there's also a 21j model, the 716. I have NEVER seen one on Ebay. For a while, I wondered whether they even made any. Then I found one on a vintage watch vendors site - for $700! Well, at that price, it was gonna stay there. I kept looking, but never saw one.Then last week, I saw something I haven't seen before. It was a Lord Elgin, in a stainless case, with a sweep second hand, b

Seiko Spirit GMT SBQJ015
What is the going rate for the Seiko Spirit GMT SBQJ015 these days? Normally I'd check auction sites, but this model appears to be harder to come by. I've got one in excellent condition, short of a slight blemish just below the 31 minute mark (see photo). It's also got the box, case, manuals, band links, and certificate. Just got it back from SCA where they replaced the battery and back. The original back got scratched very badly during a botched battery replacement; don't try this at home (Seiko sent the original back with the repair as a reminder). Only considering selling it at this point depending on market value. I'm genuinely not trying to tease people on this since I know some are seeking this watch; just trying to get more info. Thanks!sbqj015.jpg

Speedy on black or brown strap?
I prefer the black strap with the black face of the Speedy. However, you sure see a lot of brown straps and some that come with the watch.Does brown really go with black? Where are the fashion police?Which do you prefer?