Tempus Fugit Initiative Update!

AND BIG UPS to 33 Jewels for Joining the Tempus Fugit Initiative!

We're getting there folks, we're getting there!

Filip & Co. Arrives in California

What started out as a local secret has started to spread to other parts of the country.

The Chinese Timekeeper is Coming to Santa Barbara!

If you are in the "neighborhood" come and check out the Chinese Timekeeper this weekend at El Paseo -
814 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA.

A good selection of the Chinese Timekeeper's time pieces to see, touch, hold - and even buy!  This Saturday and Sunday!  No RSVP required ; )

Hanhart Comes to Santa Barbara - An Invitation!

As most of you know, I live in Santa Barbara.  I am very pleased to invite anyone in the area who is interested to a three day Hanhart event at 33 Jewels in Santa Barbara!

Courtesy of Hanhart

Starting Friday afternoon, Anthony Siragusa - Hanhart North America, myself, and the team at 33 Jewels will be sharing the Hanhart collection.  This is not just a "cocktail" party with food and "props", this is an opportunity to meet the Hanhart North America team, check out the watches in person, and even buy them!  This is a three day (technically 2 day and one afternoon/evening) "Pop-Up" store, so for those of you who have been wanting to buy a Hanhart - this is your opportunity!

Courtesy of Hanhart

Anthony Siragusa is a longtime veteran of the watch industry and is often sought out by watch retail stores as a training advisor owing to his knowledge and experience.  And me?  Well, I know a little ; )

So SAVE THE DATE(s)!

Who: 33 Jewels at El Paseo 33jewels.com & Hanhart Watches

What: Special 3-day event to introduce the Hanhart watch collection and North American Team.

Where: 33 Jewels at El Paseo, 814 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 957-9100

When: Friday, October 12, 2012 from 5–7:30 p.m. with fine Scotch, beer and hors d’oeuveres. 

Reception continues Saturday October 13, 5–7:30 p.m. The collection will be shown all day Sunday.
Regular store hours: Mon.-Sat. 11a.m. – 6p.m., Sunday 12-5p.m., closed Tuesdays.

Something borrowed, something blue...

So there I was, walking down State street in Santa Barbara, and what do I see staring back at me but a big Rolex sign and display at 33 Jewels.


But on closer inspection, I saw that these were not your "father's Rolex".

Usually, you think of the Date, Datejust and the Air King - it's not unlike the Model T, you can have any color you want, as long as it's black!  Not so -

A wonderfully vibrant blue Air King has already caught Wendy's eye.

But let your imagination go further - a wonderful yellow date, and a beguiling orange/tangerine colored Air King.

And a pistachio green Date.

Now in fairness, I'm sure that many of you have seen these on Ebay, or some online watch sellers.  But I'd never seen one up-close and personal.  They are really wonderfully done, and the results are better than the average "re-dial".  The original watches are taken apart, serviced, and the dials are sent off to something of a spa treatment.  In the words of 33 Jewels:

"Unique Custom Colored Dial Vintage Rolex Luxury Watches from the 1960s and 1970s.  Built to last more than a lifetime.

These one-of-a-kind vintage Rolex watches with custom colored dials are serviced by an expert watchmaker and beautifully restored to the highest level.

The original dial is carefully painted or metal plated, lacquer coated and has the markers reapplied, luminescence reapplied, along with the application of silver indexes and silver 'batoon' hands."

What is particularly nice is that these updated Rolex's are backed by a 1-year warranty.

If you're in Santa Barbara, check them out!