The People You Meet On Vacation - Cimier and the 711 POP PINK

Courtesy of Cimier

Okay, vacation is often coupled with travel. And when your side-hustle is in Watch Town, at least once a year your vacation plans will be a busman's holiday in Switzerland. This past April found yours truly holding down the booth of one of the brands I work with. And I got a chance to see the other participating brands. In some instances it's very much like seeing old friends.

And you also get to have a closer look at some brands that you have admired from afar. Now make no mistake, I am loyal to the brands I work with, but I am, at heart, someone who loves watches. I am not (at least I don't think I am) a snob. I also make a point of living within reality (i.e. my means). At other times in my life I've owned two different Rolex models, and in hindsight the experience did not live up to my fevered dreams. And while it would be nice to own a Patek or Vacheron, I don't want a watch to own me. By that I mean if I have a watch, I want to be able to wear it without fear (of theft, damage, or worse).

So back to the matter at hand, and a little bit more about me. Up until three years ago, I would always spend at least a day or two in Biel/Bienne each Switzerland trip. And if I was particularly lucky, it might include a visit to Tissot Arena to either take in FC Biel/Bienne (football), or EHC Biel-Bienne (ice hockey).

You could say that I am the unofficial US supporters' club for both teams ; )

Okay, so what's the connection? After leaving each game at Tissot Arena, you can't help but clap eyes on the Cimier HQ as you are turning right to head out. So in an odd sort of way, I already felt connected.

So while I had been curious, and perhaps admired Cimier from afar, this past April was my first opportunity to spend real time with the collection, and get to meet two of the Cimier folks - Alexandra Lanz (CEO) and Antoine Abadie (Marketing Manager). And at least from my side, it was time well-spent. I will be coming back in more detail about the brand and the current offerings in later posts. But today is about (spoiler alert) my new-ish Cimier 711 POP PINK.

And as I am an impatient sort of fellow, I pulled the trigger without too much foot dragging ; )

Now I am a man of many moods, and I live in a climate that can be a bit unforgiving in terms of humidity and its effects on how a watch fits on. my wrist, I was partiularly drawn to Cimier's use of quick spring straps, but also the clever opening at the lug ends to ensure quick and easy changes. 

So much for that I also sprung for the bracelet, and a glad that I did ; )

After two months, let me just say that the love affair continues!

Now while I could drone on about tech specs, "value propositions", etc., I would rather just focus on what my philosophy about watches and time. You don't need one, and you can't escape the other. So at a bare minimum, a watch should bring you joy. And my Cimier 711 POP PINK brings me joy every time I wear it.

The 47° North River Blue

From Cimier -

Courtesy of Cimier

This is part of a new release from the folks next door to Tissot arena in Biel/Bienne.

The The 47° comes in several colorways which we'll spool out for you. This one is the The 47° North River Blue.

Courtesy of Cimier

The case is of stainless steel and measures 38 mm in diameter with a display case back.

The movement is ETA's 2824-2.

And the price - well it's well within reach at CHF 850.

You should want this watch!

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -

Functions

Hours, Minutes, Central Second, Date

Case Material

Stainless steel 316L

Case Diameter

38 mm (46mm lug to lug)

Case Thickness

11.25mm including crystal

Crown

Large screw-down crown

Lug width

20mm

Crystal

Box sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside

Case Back

Screwed exhibition case back with flat sapphire crystal

Movement

ETA 2824-2

Dial

Grained, river blue, slightly gradient

Indices

Printed numerals with thick Swiss Super-Luminova GL old radium (LE) lume

Hands

Brushed baton hour and minute hands with polished chamfers. Orange-painted seconds hand. All hands filled with Swiss Super-Luminova GL old radium (LE) lume.

Strap

Blue suede calf leather with matching stiches

Buckle

Pin buckle with Cimier logo

Power reserve

38 hours

Water-resistance

10 ATM / 100m with screw-down crown

I Fall In Love Too Easily...The Cimier 711 Pop Pink

Cue Chet Baker -

This is the Cimier 711 Pop Pink, and I am in love!

Passing through the NYC Wind-Up show before we kicked off The HYPE the next day, I got a chance to see this little wrist-rocket from Cimier.

As the unofficial head of the North American FC Biel/Bienne Football Club as well as Biel/Bienne Hockey, I know that when you are leaving the stadia complex, you will see the Cimier offices as you turn out onto the roadway. So suffice it to say, I feel a certain affinity with this one ; )

The asking price is CHF 2’575.00
Excluding taxes. Here are the pertinents -

TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS

Functions

Hours, Minutes, Chronograph, Tachymeter, Telemeter

Case Material

Stainless steel 316L

Case Diameter

39.5 mm (47mm lug to lug)

Case Thickness

14.45mm

Crystal

Box sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside

Case Back

Secured by 8 screws, with sapphire crystal

Movement

CIM 100 automatic chronograph (based on the Valjoux 7750)

Dial

Pink, Sand-blasted, with tachymeter and telemeter scales

Indices

Printed markers with voluminous C1 X1 grade Super-LumiNova®

Hands

Facetted hands with Super-LumiNova®

Bracelet

Choice of Calfskin leather strap, Steel mesh bracelet or Steel bracelet

Buckle

Pin buckle for leather strap / Safety folding clasp for steel bracelets

Power reserve

48 hours

Water-resistance

10 ATM / 100m

Visit a Watch Company, and Build Your Own Watch!

Okay, I've seen a few things a little bit like this, but I have to say that this is the COOLEST example I have yet to see -

Cimier

Courtesy of Cimier

So in an effort to expand our shared horizons, I have decided to dedicate the next few days to some of the watches you might not be so familiar with.