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.

 

Tutima Grand Classic Black Chronograph PR

The new Tutima Grand Classic Black Chronograph Power Reserve with the Red Dial is one of the most dramatic timepieces ever created. It will be noticed immediately and will set you apart with its stunning design. It is one of the most handsome watches we've ever offered from any designer or manufacturer. A watch this extraordinary can only come from the designers of Tutima in Glashette, Germany.

The exhibition Back of the 781 Series of Grand Classic Chronographs The new Grand Classic Black Chronograph PR can cope with anything that comes its way, thanks to the use of cutting-edge technology. The case and bracelet have a black coating which is largely resistant to shocks and scratches using a unique process designed by Tutima's German engineers. To begin with, the stainless steel itself undergoes a special process to harden it far below the surface layer. It is then given a coating of ultra-hard PVD coating (physical vapor deposition) in midnight black as extra protection.

The dial is also painstakingly designed to provide a clarity of the instrumentation including a rare power reserve display designed to make this chronograph the perfect companion for turbulent times. The Power Reserve instantly shown the remaining power stored in the mainspring. If the power reserve should start to dwindle, all it takes is a few shakes of the wrist and the Automatic Swiss selfwinding Valjoux 7750 movement produces new energy.

Gem of the Day is pleased to offer this and many other Tutima Grand Classic models. Call us TOLL FREE at 1 (888) 243-6329 to discuss our very competitive prices and all the options in the extensive Grand Classic Collection.

Tutima Limited Edition FX GMT

For many years Tutima Watch Company has been a supplier of precision time keeping instruments to NATO and the military and ari forces in Europe. The Pilot's FX GMT/Dual Time Watch is the standard by which all GMT watches must be measured. Its precise and detailed construction and design are world renowned.

Now, in honor of this great tradition, Tutima has made a special LIMITED EDITION of this heralded watch with a limited production of just 80 pieces worldwide (Model 633-31). The Watch Guys and Gem of the Day has been fortunate enough to obtain one of these watches and can offer this watch to one of our clients in the Internet.


If you are lucky enough to obtain one of these Limited Edition Pilot FX/Dual Time Watches, you will enjoy the precision benefits of this automatic timepiece encased in polished stainless steel case. The included strap is a water resistant black alligator leather with red contrast stitching.

Beneath the sapphire glass crystal are easy-to-read numbers and luminous hands and markers. Note the central red-colored 24-hour readout for your second time zone. Finally, the 24-hour rotating bi-directional bezel has 48 lockable positions that will allow you to keep track of a third time zone. With a double sealed, screw-in crown and date display, this fine Swiss movement is ready to keep you on track. As befitting such a prestigious Limited Edition timepiece, the watch is presented in a solid oak box with certificate.

Gem of the Day™ is pleased to be chosen as one of the very few Authorized Internet Dealers for this amazing watch line. For more information, pictures and details please join us at Gem of the Day or TopFlight Watches or call us Toll Free at 1-888-243-6329. Due to the extreme limited nature of this watch, you may want to call us to verify availability, price and delivery of this watch.

UPDATE: This watch has sold out and is no longer available

New All Black Titanium Commander 100 Pro

The Watch Guys are proud to introduce the newest version of the Commander 100 Pro, the international standard in Military Watches. The all new TRASER P6507-B Commander 100 Pro has a solid Titanium case and bracelet and is completely PVD coated for an amazing flat black finish. It's already one of the best Tritium Military watches available today and now it's one of the only ones available in Black Titanium!

Traser Watches, made exclusively in Switzerland by mb-microtec, are made for Military forces worldwide and are widely regarded as the best in the business when it comes to Tiruium watches. Traser is the original tritium Military-Spec watch, with watches issued to and worn by military personnel around the world. And mb-microtec has created the best illumination technology available today, Trigalight® Tritium Gas Illumination.

What makes the Commander 100 Pro really different is the rare WHITE Trigalight® Tritium Illumination. The illumination is bright and easy to read in low light and in total darkness. And Tritium never fades during the night. With the Commander 100 Pro the tritium gas tubes are on every hour marker, and on every hand, even the second hand.

The Traser P6507 Commander 100 Pro is made of solid TITANIUM, stronger and yet lighter than Stainless Steel. And the watch case has a Black PVD Titanium Carbon finish. The crystal is virtually scratch proof sapphire glass and the Swiss Jeweled Rhonda Quartz movement is one of the most accurate watch movements ever made.

Naturally, the Commander 100 Pro is depth tested to 200 meters below sea level and can be worn under any conditions.

The Watch Guys are please to announce that our stores will be one of only a few nationwide carrying this product. The unique and highly desirable all Black Titanium model can be purchased at any of our great stores, Time 4 Tritium, TopFlight Watches or Gem of the Day. For more information, pictures, pricing or of you would like to buy, please visit one of the above stores.

Walking a Fine Line: Luminox Battle for Positioning

Over the next few days both Zak (The Watch Guy) and I will be introducing several new Luminox Watches that will be available in extremely limited quantities before Christmas this year. Although almost all of these watches were introduced at the International Watch Fair in Basil, Switzerland in the early Spring, only a select few are making their way onto our shores late this fall. The world wide recession and especially the recession here in the United States are part of the reason for this delay, but Luminox own quest for its position in the marketplace also plays a major roll.

Luminox, as a brand, is torn between their heritage in the United States as a hunting ~ military - law enforcement brand and their Swiss manufacturing heritage as one of the world's finest watches.

Luminox's primary distribution avenue in the U.S. is still hunting and sporting goods stores. These dealers are the folks who brought Luminox to the attention of customers. And it was these dealers who made the original Series I and Series II Navy Seals Dive Watches one of the best selling and most highly regarded watches among law enforcement, sporting enthusiast and military customers in the world. Popularly priced in the $200.00 range in the United States, these watches are tough, accurate, dependable AND AFFORDABLE!

But Luminox parent, Lumondi Corporation in Switzerland, KNOWS that the quality of Luminox rivals and exceeds their better known competitors like Tag Heuer and Breitling. They realize Luminox can make and sell watches in the $1,500.00 to $2,500.00 price points that will easily out perform their competitors.

Back here in the U.S., the large sporting goods network simply cannot even display, let alone sell, watches in these price points.



As I mentioned above, over the next few days, we will show you these higher end Luminox watches like the Series 1500 Deep Diver Automatic pictured on the right, along with some interesting new lower price models. If you want to own one of these luxury Swiss Watches at the upper end you need to RESERVE THEM TODAY. In most cases the U.S. markets will received only tiny quantities, with the major distribution going into Europe and Japan.

Feel free to call Zak or me (Bob) TOLL FREE 1 (888) 243-6329 (weekdays 8:30 am to 6:00 pm) to reserve a watch or to get additional information.

Traser Aviator Bestmann 25 Jewel Automatic Watch

The Traser Aviator Bestmann is one of the best watches available in the Traser Tritium Watch Line.

Traser starts off be using one of the finest ETA Swiss 25 Jewel Automatic movement. Then encases this movement within a beautifully crafted retro design stainless steel case. the case itself is wonderfully designed and finished out beautifully from top to bottom. In fact, every part of this watch was well thought out and wonderfully produced.

Next we move to the dial which pays homage to Bücker Aeroplanes, featuring a special logo on the left side of the dial. Then top it all off with a Genuine Sapphire Crystal top and bottom (Exhibition case back).

The Traser Aviator Bestmann rivals the finest prestige Swiss watches and, frankly, beats them all. That's because, of all the most honored Swiss Automatic Watches, only Traser offers the incredible WHITE TRITIUM Trigalight® illumination. H3 mb-microtec is the only manufacturer of White Tritium Gas Tubes in the world, and they are simply not available to any other manufacturer.

The entire Aviator Collection has been created by Traser in homage to the great Bücker Aeroplanes. Pioneers in aviation, Bücker aircraft were among the finest and most innovative ever built. Traser is honoring that tradition with this fine series of watches.

The Bücker Bestmann was the last Bücker aeroplane built. It was a single engine plane with an enclosed cabin and a single low wing design. It was one of the finest aerobatic planes of its day. Many consider the legendary Bü 181 Bestmann one of the finest aircraft ever built.

Traser is crafting each individually made Aviator Bestmann with that same attention of quality, innovation and design excellence. World wide production is limited to just 200 pieces and each Bestmann is numbered on the case back with its own number out of the 200 pieces. In addition the watch comes in a wooden collector's case that has the Bestmann Seal Certificate, bearing the same number out of the series of 200.

The watch is fitted with an exhibition back so the owner can view the workings of the fine ETA movement. And the watch is equipped with a compass style bezel which can rotate to assist in locating directions, sundial navigation and map reading. A cream colored retro designed dial bearing the Bücker logo completes the design of the watch.

For more information, photos and purchasing information head over here - Gem of the Day, TopFlightWatches or Time 4 Tritium.

Worlds 1st Full Tritium 24 Hour Watch!

Virtually every other watch on earth tells time in a conventional 12 hour dial and the hour hand revolves around the dial once every 12 hours. In this new H3 Tactical Stealth Mission Watch, the hour hand only travels around the dial once every 24 hours! For pilots traveling day and night across many time zones, this design is extremely desirable. At a glance the pilot knows the time in the military 24 hour format.

Military personnel all also use the 24 hour time format to insure there are never any mistakes about the time for precision military operations. Likewise, this format is indispensable for people working under extreme conditions where it might be impossible to tell day from night, underground construction workers or miners, for example.

While only a very few of these 24 hour dial watches even exist, none has ever been made before with full Tritium Illumination. All 24 hour makers are tritium powered, as are the hour, minute and second hands. This means an amazing 27 tritium tubes are used to illuminate the watch dial.

The H3 Tactical Stealth Mission Watch is made entirely of surgical stainless steel. The crystal is virtually scratch proof sapphire glass. The Swiss Made Jeweled Quartz Movement is extremely accurate and durable. And the Watch is depth tested to 333 feet (100 meters) below sea level. All in all this is a great series of watches. Available in three different styles: All Stainless Steel Case and Bracelet, All PVD Case and Bracelet and a PVD model with a Rubber Dive Strap. For more information, pictures and details head over to any of our other sites: Gem of the Day, Time4Tritium or TopflightWatches.

Torgoen T07 Limited Edition Pilot's Watch

Now here is a watch that we are very excited about... The T07 Limited Edition Pilot's Flight Computer watch.

This beauty has a stunning rose goldtone and black PVD case, Carbon Fiber dial and black polyurethane strap. It is also packed with features like a very unique complete 2nd analog two hand watch subdial to track a second time zone or GMT (UTC or Zulu) time. As well as a E6B slid rule bezel located under the crystal and controlled by a second crown.

Production of this stunning pilot's watch is limited to just 500 watches worldwide. It comes in a one-of-a-kind red leather and black lacquer piano finish jewelry case and includes both a signature Torgoen Polyurethane strap and a fine padded and stitched leather strap.

In making this very special watch, Torgoen Swiss used the finest components available along with their expertise in pilot's watch design to craft this beautiful pilot's flight computer watch. The E6B Flight Computer Slide Rule Bezel is housed safely underneath the scratchproof sapphire glass crystal.

The case is solid stainless steel finished in black PVD and rose gold plating for a dramatic design. The crystal is virtually scratch proof sapphire glass. The four rose goldtone accent screws on the square case complete the design and add a richness and elegance unique to the watch.

Pilots often need a watch that will always display Universal Coordinated Time (also referred to as Zulu time). Many pilots prefer to have their watch display both their home time and their destination time, if it is in a different time zone. The T07 displays two time zones at a glance, one on the main watch face and the other in the analog watch subdial at the 6 o'clock position.

The T07 Limited Edition is a watch is a fantastic edition to any watch collection and a must have for the pilot/watch enthusiast. Torgoen Swiss makes a number of fine pilot's watches but this is truly the finest model they have ever produced.

For more information head over to Gem of the Day or TopFlight Watches. Find the latest details, more photos and pricing information. You own it to yourself to check this one out.

A $300,000.00 Watch That Doesn't Tell Time

I just knew all our clients and readers would just love to read this story, from The Wall Street Journal:

A $300,000 watch? Luxury. A $300,000 watch that doesn’t tell time — and that
sells out? Pure genius.

According to several news reports flagged by my friends at Luxist, Swiss watchmaker Romain Jerome just launched the “Day&Night” watch. The watch won’t tell you what time it is. That’s so yesterday. But it does tell you whether it’s day or night — helpful, I guess, for billionaire types who can’t afford windows.

As the company’s Web site boasts: “With no display for the hours, minutes or seconds, the Day&Night offers a new way of measuring time, splitting the universe of time into two fundamentally opposing sections: day versus night.”

What’s most impressive about the Day&Night is its complexity, given its absolute uselessness. The watch features two tourbillons — devices that overcome the ill
effects of earth’s gravity on a watch’s accuracy — connected by a differential mechanism. Instead of hands, the watch has a “contemplative tourbillon operation
whereby the ‘Day’ tourbillon operates for 12 hours to symbolize working life, while the ‘Night’ tourbillon takes over afterward to represent an individual’s private time.”

Like other Romain Jerome watches, the watch is made in part with steel salvaged from the sunken Titanic, along with material from the shipyard where it was built. That sounds creepy to me, but maybe today’s buyers prefer morbid metals.

The company’s chief executive, Yvan Arpa, cited statistical studies to explain how the watch better reflects the time-philosophy of today’s wealthy.

“When you ask people what is the ultimate luxury, 80 percent answer ‘time’. Then when you look at other studies, 67 percent don’t look at their watch to tell what time it is,” he told Reuters.

He added that anyone can buy a watch that tells time — only a truly discerning customer can buy one that doesn’t.

And here’s the best part: The watch sold out within 48 hours of its launch.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that we don't offer this watch for sale on any of our websites. But here is a link to Romain Jerome's Website.