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 Big Date Chronograph

The Watch Guys are proud to present the Tracer Big Date Chrongraph Series.  This is not the newest series available from Traser but it is one of my favorites.  The BIG DATE CHRONOGRAPH has the classic styling of the legendary Traser H3 Military Watches, but with the newest Swiss Made, Jeweled, Chronograph quartz movement. As you can see in the photograph above, the new Chronographs feature full dial tritium illumination from H3 mb-microtec.  This means that you can easily see the watch day and night in any condition.  These watches are available in four different options, two in lightweight Titanium and two in Black PVD.  Each with either a traditional Green Tritium or the newer Blue Tritium variants. 

Worldwide, people who know about tritium illumination watches know that the Traser is the "real deal." Traser H3 by mb-microtec was the first military timepiece ever to be equipped with the patented tritium H3 permanent light technology. And the H3 mb-microtec models were actually the first to be issued to the men and women of the US Armed Forces. Today they are still the world standard and are the watches made for NATO armed forces.

The Big Date Chronograph Series is one of the best watches available from Traser today.  Solid Stainless Steel (or Titanium) construction, 100 Meters Water Resistant and a Sapphire Crystal are just some of the amazing features this watch has to offer.  It's a beautiful and well made timepiece that anyone would be proud to own and it won't break the bank.  One of my favorite features of the Traser brand is that they are reasonably priced.  And by comparison with other brands they are practically a steal.  You don't have to sacrifice any quality and can save hundreds of dollars!

For more information, specs and pricing please visit one of our sites: Gem of the Day, Time 4 Tritium or Topflight Watches or call me Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329.  Just ask for Zak.