A Treasure Has Been Discovered

It's been nearly four years since Florida Keys Watches ceased production of watches and stopped the development of new models.  The unexpected death of the principle owner and the designer of the watch line brought the company to an unexpected and tragic end.  The Key Lido collection, pictured above and below, has become something of a legend, a collectible watch highly sought after and desired by watch aficionados worldwide.  Gem of the Day sold it's last remaining watches two years ago yet they still get requests nearly daily and the Florida Keys Web Page (on the Gem of the Day website) is STILL one of the highest trafficked pages in the entire website.

As real credit to the partnership that founded Florida Keys Watches is that the remaining partners have continued to honor all warranties and repair watches as needed.  It helps that the watches nearly never need repair.  It's almost the perfect watch.

This past week Florida Keys Watches contacted us at Gem of the Day and asked it we would help them liquidate a tiny group of remaining watches they discovered in their vaults.  Of course we instantly agreed.  Originally selling at $475.00, we've agreed to sell the remaining watches for just $299.99 each.  Florida Keys will continue to honor the two year warranty and these watches are new, not refurbished.

REGRETFULLY, WE HAVE SOLD OUT OF ALL OUR FLORIDA KEYS TIME WATCHES. NO ADDITIONAL WATCHES ARE AVAILABLE.

The History of Florida Keys Time

The story of Florida Keys Time is as unique as the watches themselves. Originally founded in 2002 by a group of retired executives of some of the world's largest and most famous watch companies, the goal of Florida Keys Time was simple: Create a series of watches without compromise. Build the best watch possible without regard to cost. Florida Key's founders were tired of the endless compromises made by the big watch companies. In the end, they believed, such compromises only shortchanged the customers.

Using this philosophy, Florida Key's founders insisted the crystals would be highly  scratch resistant synthetic sapphire glass. The case and bracelets are made of be solid titanium for strength and durability combined with very light weight. Naturally the watches would be depth tested to 100 meters (330 feet) below sea level.


The movements in the Lido Collection are at the very leading edge of technology. Because digital displays make multiple functions like alarms, dual time and chronographs easy to use, the watch needed to utilize large digital displays with full bright backlighting using electro-luminescence.


But the watches also needed to have great styling. Florida Keys chose the newest color digital displays, available in Black, Blue, Yellow or Orange. And the digital display can actually be turned off, yet available to the owner at the simple touch of a button.

Development and field testing of the new Lido Collection was done under the most demanding conditions. Just as there was no compromise in the design, there was no compromise in the testing. These are remarkable watches that can handle any sport, any activity, any work conditions and any situation!


The unexpected death of one of the founders of Florida Keys Time brought the company to an end. The watches are loved by owners world wide and remain one of the most demanded watches Gem of the Day has ever carried. We are proud of our long association with the company and the people who originally envisioned this ground breaking watch.

The Test of Time

Ten years ago TODAY, October 31, 2007, we added the Citizen Eco-Drive TITANIUM RACING CHRONOGRAPH, model BL5250-02L to our on-line catalog on Gem of the Day.  In the world of watches, especially from the large (gigantic!!!!) Japanese Watch Companies, it is rare for a model to continue to be produced for so many years.  Slow sellers are discontinued almost immediately,  In fact Citizen Watch Company discontinues nearly a third of their line every year!

Yet the Eco-Drive Racing Chronograph has endured for all these years and shows no sign of slowing down.  It has always been one of our top best sellers, and I'm betting it's been a consistent best seller for Citizen, too.

The real question is "Why?" Citizen has produced several hundred (you read that right) models with the identical features of alarm, chronograph, perpetual calendar and dual time zones.  These models have come an gone.  Far fewer have had a TITANIUM CASE and that may well be part of the secret.  Titanium is lightweight and stronger than steel. 

The Eco-Drive Racing Chronograph is water resistant to 200 meters or 660 feet below sea level.  It is suitable for deep diving (although not with the racing leather strap).  The key here is the BL5250-02L is incredibly tough and no one is afraid to wear it under any conditions or circumstances. 

Beyond that you quickly get into subjective features of looks, styling and comfort.  I always felt it was (and still is) one of Citizen's best looking watches,  The gray dial and easy-to-read hands and numbers and subdials create an understated elegance.  

I certainly don't want to underestimate the importance of the battery-free Eco-Drive movement.  Combined with the nearly indestructible Titanium Case, the watch never needs maintenance.  It simply runs and keeps perfect time forever!  The Citizen Eco-Drive Quartz Movement, Caliber E820, is one of the most tested and proven watch movements Citizen has ever made. The power reserve is nearly 6 months and recharges in two hours of sunlight.

How long with the BL5250-02L Citizen Racing Chronograph be available.  Obviously we don't know, but if you buy one today you'll have yours forever!

Available from both Gem of the Day and Top Flight Watches just by clicking the links.

Traser Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph

The Traser Outdoor Chronograph

Say hello to the all new Traser Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph.  Its the latest series available from Traser and it does something none of their other watches do.  It's an all new series with all new tricks!  On the surface, the watch looks like another in the ever expanding P6600 series but closer inspection reveals something completely different.  It's true there is a family resemblance but pretty much everything is new here.  It's slightly slimmer measuring in at 44 mm across the diameter and a little thicker top to bottom, measuring in at a chunky 14mm thick. 

But there is a reason for this extra thickness.  Firstly, this is a chronograph series and those movements require a little more room than a traditional 3-hand movement but more importantly, there is a little more room in there for it's secret weapon, the Tritium Illuminated Date Window.  That's right!  For the first time ever, Traser has made a watch with a fully illuminated date window.  

This was done by cutting out the numbers on the date wheel and then placing a Tritium tube underneath.  At night the effect is a perfectly readable date just like the rest of the hands/markers.  It works flawlessly and really adds that "X factor" to this series.  Normally this type of feature is only found on the really high end Tritium watch but Traser has done it and managed to keep the cost down too!  At a full retail price of $525, the Outdoor Pioneer Chronograph is a fantastic deal.

The rest of the watch is equally impressive as well.  just take a look at this list of features:

• MOVEMENT: Ronda Caliber 5030D Quartz Chronograph Movement
• 42 Month's Battery Life
• Lightweight Fiberglass Reinforced Polyamide Case
• Blackout Style Unidirectional Rotating Bezel
• K1 Ultra Tough, Scratch Resistant, Mineral Glass Crystal
• Water Resistant to 660 feet / 200 Meters below Sea Level
• Black Silicone Dive Style Strap
TRITIUM ILLUMINATION:

• Green Tritium on Number Markers 1 through 11
• Orange Tritium on the 12 o'clock marker
• Green Tritium Marker on the Time Elapse Bezel
• Green Tritium on the Hour Hand, Minute Hand AND Large Second Hand
• Green Tritium BELOW the Date Window to Illuminate the Date

Robust, durable and ready for anything, the Outdoor Pioneer series lives up to it's name.  It's the perfect watch for any situation and full Tritium illumination means that you will always be able to see the watch no matter where life takes you.  For more information, pricing and ordering information you can call us Toll Free at (888) 243-6329 visit us at one of our stores: Gem of the Day, TopFlight Watches or Time 4 Tritium.  Real watch experts are available to answer any of your questions in a no-hassle, no-pressure environment.  We love to talk watches.  Give us a call!                          

Seiko Solar Chronograph Collection

Introducing the ALL NEW Seiko Solar Chronograph! That's right! Seiko has gone Solar and in a big way. These new watches are absolutely amazing. It's the perfect watch for any occasion. 

The Seiko Solar Chronograph collection has a built-in stop watch with 60 minute and 24 hour subdials, suitable for timing long events. Yet the watch is 200 meter water resistant thanks to a screw down crown, screw down case back and very rare screw down stopwatch pushers. The pushers must be unscrewed for the stop watch to be engaged. This is an exceptional feature and will prevent costly accidental pushes when underwater.

The SOLAR POWERED Calibre V175 Quartz Movement has a 6 month power reserve when fully charged. You will never need to replace a battery or open the case back and break the water resistant seals. Plus the watch continuously recharges in any light. Indoors or outdoors this watch is ready for action. The case is entirely made of stainless steel and the crystal is the very tough and durable Hardlex Crystal, developed and perfected by Seiko.

The model SSC017 has Steel Bracelet is solid, not hollow and the attachment uses a new, extra thick steel spring bar for extra durability. The bracelet itself has a double-locking 3-fold clasp with a dive suit extender. The model SSC031 has the traditional Rubber Dive Band.

For more information, watch features and purchase information please visit us online at Gem of the Day or call us Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329.

Mondaine Chronograph with Night Vision

A bold yet sleek statement, the Mondaine Official Swiss Railways Watch Sport II has the classic Mondaine award winning design with the highest technology Swiss Chronograph (stopwatch) movement and Tritium Night View Illumination. It is the perfect combination of style and functionality.

The Sport II has a 42 millimeter brushed stainless steel case highlighted with a black PVD fixed bezel that is decorated with six polished stainless steel screws. It is available in two dial choices, either black or white with opposite color hands and the signature red stopwatch sweep second hand. The continuous sweep second subdial and the 30 minute elapse time subdial also have red hands.

As you can see, the hands and dial have tritium illumination for perfect night illumination. In addition the watch features a large double window date display that is easy to read at a glance, yet adds to the classic design motif.

The classic simple and straightforward design of Mondaine Watches is considered a work of great modern art. Mondaine Watches are collected by museums throughout the world. For example, Mondaine is the official watch of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The simple design, the unmistakable easy-to-read face, distinctive hands and the famous red seconds hand have made the Mondaine collection successful the world over. In 1944, Hans Hilfiker, a Swiss Engineer and Designer and employee of the Federal Swiss Railways, created a clock, which has become known as the Official Swiss Railways Clock. It is amazing just how long this design has endured and now it appears to take a place in the eternal hall of fame along side other well known design icons such as the Coca-Cola bottle, the Mercedes star, the Toblerone packaging, or the design of the US dollar bill.

For more information or to order this watch please visit us at one of our stores: Gem of the Day, TopFlight Watches or Time 4 Tritium.

Atacama Field Series by Luminox

Luminox 1825 (Pictured above) is part of Luminox latest series, Atacama Field Day/Date series. This new series is a direct spin off of the popular standard Field Series. Same great watches but with all new attitude!

The Atacama is a region in northwest Chile where the Atacama desert is found. This is one of the driest and harshest environments in the world, as well as breathtaking at times. This series of watch was inspired by this unique region and perfectly balances the ruggedness as well as beauty. You will find unique gun metal colored PVD plated steel cases and buckles, 24mm suede leather straps, with dial markings to match the strap colors (Model 1823 pictured below).


These watches feature 200 meters water resistance, screw-down crown and case back, anti-reflective sapphire crystals and Tritium Illumination. Accurate Swiss quartz movements with full day/date capability. Alarm Chronographs are also available in each distinctive color option (and Oversized too!).


(1883 Oversized 47mm Alarm-Chrono)

For more information and sales please contact us at 1-888-243-6329 or visit one of our websites: Time 4 Tritium or TopFlight Watches.

Tour de France

I simply must add a note about the extraordinary WEB SITE for the Tour de France.

The promise and the power of the Internet are close to being realized with this dazzling news, sport and analysis web site. For any fan of the Tour or of bicycle racing, this is a wondrous site full of features and information.

The Tour itself began in London (yes, London!!) back on July 7th and runs through the end of July. It is tragic that drug use and controversy have tainted the race. This journey through rural France is worth watching for the scenery alone. The countryside is simply beautiful.

In keeping with the theme of the Tour de France, Gem of the DayTM has introduced six new Festina Tour de France Alarm Chronograph Watches for our sport and athletic customers.

We continue to strongly recommend the Festina Tour de France models to anyone who is active in any sport. It is simply the best, toughest and easiest to use of all alarm chronographs. No one has ever designed an easier to use alarm function. It's simple to set the alarm time and you can verify the fact the alarm is set at a glance.

Click on the following link and you can see the new color dial and color padded and stitched strap Festina Tour de France watches.

TECHNORATI TAGS: FESTINA TOUR DE FRANCE WATCHES TIMEPIECES CHRONOGRAPH ALARM WATCH BICYCLE RACING BICYCLE RACING WATCH ATHLETES WATCH