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.

Torgoen's Newest Series - Alarm, GMT

We are pleased to introduce the newest series of Torgoen Swiss Professional Pilot's Watches, the T30 Collection. The T30's are the first Alarm Watches ever offered by Torgoen Swiss. And they off a fully independent 24 hour Military Style Hand and outer dial for tracking ZULU Time or a 2nd Time Zone. But we like the T30's because we think they are, by far, the best looking watches in the entire Torgoen line!

The Dual Time Hand (marked by a "24" on the end of the hand) hand can be set independently of the primary watch. It keeps track of time on the 24 hour scale with markers around the outer dial. Most pilots will set this hand to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), often also called ZULU Time and used by all pilots for logs and record keeping. Travelers might want to use it to keep track of a 2nd time zone. The watch is easy to read and features a big triple date window and a sweep second subdial.

The T30 has a 12 hour analog alarm feature. Like most alarm wristwatches, the alarm is not loud and might not awaken a sound sleeper. It is ideal for keeping track of appointments or timing intervals. And like all the best Alarm watches, it is extremely east to set and use.

This really is my favorite Torgoen model currently available. It has style, function, clean design and easy to use. What more could you want? If you are interested in purchasing one of these you can visit one of our online stores. There you can find more photos, pricing and the full specs on this series. Check it out at TopFlight Watches or Gem of the Day.

Innovative Alarms

Almost since the beginning of timepieces, people have been buying watches with an alarm. Seems like a handy feature. I mean you always have your watch with you, why not use the alarm? Maybe to remind yourself to pick up the kids. Maybe to take some medication. Frankly, we use alarms for dozens of reasons every day.

The problem? Well, for the most part, they are often too hard to hear. Unless you are in a quiet room by yourself, you may completely miss out on whatever it was you were trying to remember.

The solution? The New Bulova Marine Star Vibro-Alarm Watch. Finally! A watch alarm that you can actually use. Bulova has really done it this time! And frankly, I'm not sure why it's not a requirement for all watches. That's right, I said Vibro-Alarm, as in Vibration. This innovative time piece gives you a choice of either a traditional Audible alarm or a Vibrating one! Inside the watch is a small weighted vibrating mechanism which notably "Pulses" when the alarm is activated. In a crowd? In class? At the Post Office? No problem. No matter where you are, or how loud the environment, this watch has you covered.

Plus you get the advantages of a Silent Alarm. You may not want to announce to everyone else that it is time to take your meds. Once again, No Problem. Set the watch to vibrate and no one knows but you. Now, you may be asking "Is it hard to use?" Most certainly not. This is actually one of the easiest to use alarm watches ever designed. No confusing set-ups or pulling buttons. Just easy, intuitive operation. Anyone can operate this watch and we highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for a alarm watch. Especially for those of us who are a little hard of hearing and or work in a loud environment.

Couple all of this with a great looking case and bracelet design and you get a truly magnificent timepiece. Do yourself a favor and check this watch out today. You will not be disappointed. One "touch" and you too, will be sold.

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