So It's Come To This...

As the guy who literally wrote the book on the Watch of the Presidents, it was inevitable that folks would ask me for feedback about the new watches bearing the name of former President and full-time flim-flam man Donald J. Trump.

"Magnificent Trump Watches!"

Courtesy of Trump Watches

Okay, as my wife Wendy so aptly put it, this is the one time that I will go on record as being in agreement with Ariel Adams and Adam Craniotes -

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/trump-watch-likely-made-in-china-overpriced-1236013728/

While Mr. Adams is partially correct on what a white label company is and how the process operates, he was more than a wee disingenuous as to how the assembler (white label) business works writ large, very incorrect as to the "quality" of work performed as a whole, and while there are "off the shelf" options, there are several assemblers / white label companies that can create entirely unique options with quality at a very high level. And to that point? More than a few not-insignificant Swiss and Japanese high end brands utilize the services of third party operators. Just so that we are clear on that point.

As to the actual assembler of the higher end Trump Victory Tourbillon (or whatever this abomination to good taste and watchmaking credibility is called), there is more to it than the simple dismissiveness of Mr. Adams, but as the old saying goes - 

Those who will say don't know, and those who know won't say.

Now, back to the matter at hand - it does seem a fairly disparate collection - a tourbillon (with a dial that looks as if it was polished with a hot Hershey bar). The more affordable Fight, Fight, Fight models do not have dials with the made in Switzerland legend. If some of the insiders who have spoken are right, the movements of this less expensive model are Japanese with a fair amount of Chinese and Indian components and content. If and when the people behind the Trump watches decide to be more forthcoming on the actual origins of the contents of watch itself, well then we can have an informed conversation. Until then?

Well, I don't think any of these are going to supplant the Vulcain Cricket any time soon. But then again, if the folks in Le Locle keep half-assing it with unsellable limited editions and dozens of SKUs...

Election Day, Vulcain, and Finally the Rest of the Story!

There is a certain shabby nobility in laboring away in anonymity, not least of which is that you get to write about just what you like ; )

Now one of my passions has been, and remains even now, the Vulcain Cricket.  But my passion is rooted more firmly in the "between time" between quartz crisis and the later "tarting up" of the brand by new owners.  That time being when the Paajanen family had the Cricket produced under license and presented them as gifts to US Presidents.

Now one very important factoid that the Big H, and then every other outlet that keeps referencing them (like GQ),  keeps getting slightly wrong is that the actual Vulcain that was actually given to Joe Biden, who actually wears it was actually not given to him by Vulcain, but rather by the Paajanen family. 

Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

But today is, a wonderful day for me - because FINALLY someone else out there has reported the true story of the Paajanen family, and the revival of the tradition of giving a Vulcain Cricket to the President (and sometimes Vice President) of the United States -

The Allure of The President’s Watch

THANK YOU Penelope Colston and the New York Times!!!

So I have already completed my civic duty and cast my ballot.  I dressed up my "Paajanen Cricket" with a beautiful new blue ostrich foot strap, and I am going to savor today as the day that hopefully, the rest of the world will finally learn about the true Vulcain ambassadors, and particularly Keijo Paajanen.

Sadly, I finally confirmed that Keijo did, indeed, pass away last year. Curious to relate, about three years ago I pitched the idea of creating a new watch called the Paajanen Friendship 1.  Like so many ideas, it never happened, but I like to think that maybe it could still could ; )

The last US President to receive a Cricket from the Paajanens was Donald Trump who received it in 2018, and sadly, that is the end of this part of the story.

Wishing you well Keijo, and wishing you were still here -

Dear Corum - YES, It's Too Soon

Okay, I know that Switzerland is, allegedly, neutral.  I know that being cheeky can be fun and a clever way to pitch an idea.  I mean, I like to poke fun too!

But...

Given the current tensions in the US and UK, I honestly do NOT think that your choice of names for your recent Bubble press release was really that well thought out.

The level of tension currently in the US regarding the political situation and leadership of the country is at an all time high.  People who have been friends for years are no longer talking to each other, and regardless of which side of the rapidly expanding cultural and political divide you find yourself, it is safe to say that you wish that things were different.

While I realize that this was meant to be a clever jab, it really is a bit too far.

Shamelessly borrowed from the worldwide infoweb

 
I truly do like Corum and I love the Bubble, but I think all things being equal, following the controversy of retaining Booba, the incredibly tacky "Make Corum Great Again" hats intentionally designed to resemble the then candidate (now President) Trump's headgear that were being handed out at BaselWorld, and now this?
 

BUT...

that is just my opinion, and in the interest of avoiding being accused of not reporting fairly, or spreading "fake news", here is the press release exactly as I received it -

Courtesy of Corum

Bubble America First & Bubble Brexit  
In Bubble We Trust

Flag flying high, America's greatness takes centre stage. Corum introduces a proud and independent Bubble. On Stars & Stripes, the colours of the New World are on majestic display for Independence Day. In God We Trust, In Bubble We Trust. 

This "4th of July", Corum is giving prominence to those colours associated with the land of Uncle Sam. True to the grandeur and power of the country, the La Chaux-de-Fonds watch brand has chosen to immortalise not one, but two nations on its dial.
This is how the United Kingdom’s tricolour flag also came to be represented on the dial, suitably enlarged thanks to the legendary magnifying effect of the Bubble’s sapphire crystal.
In keeping with the bubble style unique to Corum, the Swiss watchmaker proudly exhibits the colours of both nations, united in their exceptional power.