Watches

When it comes to designing wristwatches, Cartier has a long history, perhaps even the longest. It was in 1904, when watches resided in pockets, that Cartier created one for the wrist at the request of Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. That original design can still be seen in the Santos watch Cartier sells today. Others, like […]

The 1960s were the golden age of the so-called tool watch, those timepieces built with features for specific purposes. But it was the dive watch, which rose to prominence with the growing sport of scuba diving, that captured the public’s imagination more than the others. In 1967, an innovative dive watch was introduced that was […]

While the things we acquire certainly grow in personal value over time, even a fine piece of workmanship with relatively humble beginnings can capture the imagination, becoming a truly iconic object. Below, five examples, from timepieces to malt whiskies to guitars, that have grown into milestone collectibles. Rolex Cosmograph “Paul Newman” Daytona In the beginning […]

Both the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva and the Baselworld exhibition in Basel deliver an opportunity to view what is coming down the road for watch fans. With hundreds of new timepieces vying for attention, Melissa Swesey cuts through the horological overload to highlight the shows’ most covetable new watches — […]

Certified watchmaker Tim Louis is a lifelong devotee of fine timepieces and their upkeep. And it all started with a box of Ritz Crackers and a stint in the U.S. Navy. As a certified watchmaker (CW21) at Ben Bridge Jeweler for more than 25 years, Tim Louis has had the opportunity to work on some […]

My Cartier Panthère is the timepiece that has won over my heart and has also probably experienced the most special moments with me. I bought it for myself about a year after I opened our Ben Bridge Topanga store in Southern California. I have to admit it was a huge splurge for me at 23-years-old, but […]

Other than many a wedding band, a fine watch is a man’s signature jewelry piece. Watches inspire feelings in me the way I often see diamonds inspire feelings in women. My most cherished material possession is a vintage heirloom tuning fork-regulated Bulova Accutron that had once been my great-grandfather Ben Bridge’s daily wristwatch. However, it […]

I love watches and have quite a few. I guess you could say I inherited my love for watches. My grandfather, Sam Silverman, was a watchmaker who came to Seattle in 1912 and opened a small shop servicing pocket watches. I was born in Seattle in 1931, the third generation of a jewelry family. My […]

In the past few years, smartwatches have taken off. Every brand, including some of our favorite watch groups, are getting into the smart game. We get it. We are used to having the world in the palm of our hands these days — why not put on our wrists too? Smartwatches do everything from let […]

The terms “waterproof” and “water resistant” are thrown around quite a bit these days, but it is important to know exactly what that means. From iPhones to fine timepieces, knowing what the words mean — and what your device is capable of — will be a lifesaver. For watches, it is important to learn the […]

A timepiece stands for so much more than a device to check the date, or the hour. A timepiece represents history; a token of love and appreciation passed on from generation to generation. If your watch has a ton of sentimental value to it, or if you spent a decent amount of money on it, […]

Don’t know a chronometer from a chronograph? Our helpful glossary of essential horological terms to get yourself up to speed on the world of watches. Anti-reflection A film covering the sapphire crystal to eliminate light reflection, improving legibility. Anti-reflection functions best when applied to both sides of the crystal, but because it scratches, some manufacturers […]

It is a common question among watch consumers, particularly people who are new to the world of watches. Why are watches so expensive? Like with most luxury items, there is a huge price range in timepieces. Some well-made and intricate watches are very expensive, and some are not. Since the question comes up so often, […]

Marc Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler’s Vice President of Marketing, is not only an experienced watch and jewelry industry professional — he is also a dyed-in-the-wool timepiece fanatic. He shares some insight about the allure of fine timepieces and why he loves them so much. Do you have any specific memories about when and how your […]

Watches do a whole lot more than tell time. A fine timepiece is a combination of art, history, and engineering. Many watch brands have their own extensive history, dating back to the 1800s in some cases. From Breitling‘s history in the sky to Rolex embracing motorsports, there is always much more than meets the eye when […]

Don’t know a moon phase from a perpetual calendar? Our helpful glossary of essential horological terms to get yourself up to speed on the world of watches. Minute repeater A striking mechanism with hammers and gongs for acoustically signaling the hours, quarter-hours, and minutes elapsed since noon or midnight. Normally, a repeater uses two different […]