New Ownership for De Bethune - A Deeper Dive

While Couture was rotting on the vine in the Las Vegas sun, and BaselWorld struggles to reinvent itself in what is starting to feel like "Ground Hog Day" regularity, some interesting news dropped that mostly went unnoticed by the watch media at large but that those of us who participate in "Rotisserie League" Fantasy Watch Brand Ownership leagues have discussed at length. And that would be the majority purchase of De Bethune by Watch Box. The basics are that the two principles Pierre Jacques (CEO) and Denis Flageollet (COO and Master Watchmaker) will be staying on the Board of Directors and in their current roles to "ensure continuity".  That is, at least the word from one report found at Timezone -

https://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=7705216&rid=0#msg_7705216

Within the "Watch Box" family resides one Patrik Hoffmann, of late "Mentor" to Chronoswiss in Lucerne and if I've understood correctly, a stake holder to some extent of Watch Box - readers, please feel free to correct/update as needed ; )

So if I were a betting man, at least based on the Timezone report, I would have put my money on the following scenario:

Hoffman tapped to oversee De Bethune, if not right away (if the press announcement is anything to go on), also not in the "too-distant" future. When the words "to ensure continuity" are used, that means that the "retirement clock's" alarm has already been set.

Why?  Well, also curious to relate, Watch Box tapped, Patrik Hoffmann, to give feedback on this story from Robb Report -

https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/watchbox-buys-de-bethune-1234633585/

So we will wait, and we will see.

But one important, pragmatic question to answer is how are the sales of De Bethune going to be moving forward. Curious to relate, De Bethune has a "pre-owned" section on their website which presently only has 2 pre-owned pieces for sale. Having said that, a quick pop over to Watch Box and you will find several De Bethune watches for sale, at least 4 of which are from 2020 & 2021.

With 30 or so employees, that is a lot of mouths to feed, and still recoup your investment.  So we shall wait, and we will see, but wishing De Bethune Godspeed as they move forward in this new partnership with Watch Box.

JUVO's Limited Edition Watch Boxes

Something fun to keep your watches in!

Courtesy of Juvo

Already known and appreciated for their winders, Juvo has taken the next step with their new series of watch boxes.  Some with a fun element, such as one dedicated to your pilot's watches (above and below) -

Courtesy of Juvo

And one for the desk divers out there -

Courtesy of Juvo

Both boxes are born out of a collaboration with Teun van Heerebeek of Watches and Pencils.  The box above features a Desk Diver illustration, and the one above it is with a Red Baron (Flieger) illustration. 

Both the boxes are limited to 100 pieces each, and retail price is $299 USD. 

 

A Do-It-Yourself Watch Organizer

Now you will no doubt have noticed that although there is a Tempus Fugit "shopping" page it is truly bereft of any sort of product for purchase.  And those who visit other blogs and "online magazines" will have no doubt noticed a "sundry goods" section where you can buy watch rolls, boxes, straps, etc.  And I think that is great.  But just as I would not spend the thousand dollars to go see "World Famous Blogger Ben Clymer" present the latest collection of watches at a press event across the country, I also have to draw the line at making purchases from other blog stores.  I mean, I am my own favorite blogger, right?

So in the spirit of self-improvement, and in hopefully passing on some potentially useful information to you who so diligently still read this little bloggy-wog (even though Jean-Claude Biver wouldn't wrap "virtual fish" in it), allow me to share with you a little project I just completed (with the invaluable help of the beautiful and talented Wendy).

If you have ever visited a watch brand's HQ, you will be somewhat surprised (then again maybe not) to see that the watches are often stored in what appeared to office filing boxes with the watches on top of micro fibre buffs. I actually liked that idea, honest and straight forward. Let's be honest, who are you trying to impress at that point?  Now the other thing that I noticed from a few of the other blog's web stores is that their storage solutions are lined with cork to protect the watches, which frankly makes a LOT of sense.  So as Wendy and I were in the process of moving into our new home, we had the opportunity to visit a lot of home-goods stores.  And it was there at the Container Store that I found the first piece of the puzzle -

Allow me to introduce you to the Bisley 5 drawer cabinet. Available for $99.00 US at the Container Store.

Now that was the easy part, the second part was highly challenging and technical and involved a further stop to Office Depot to purchase a roll of cork.

Now the good news for my fellow NAFTA denizens is that it is labeled in English, French and Spanish so you have no excuses for not being able to find it ; )

Budget about $19.00 US for this.

And now for the technical aspect - with extremely hard to find, and prohibitively expensive specialty tools I set to work on getting this project done -

The measurements were carefully recorded, the cork was unrolled, measured and marked, and then I had to draft in some help as coloring inside the lines and cutting straight edges are what most likely kept me from a promising career in architecture (and ensured a barely passing grade in Middle School Art class despite the best efforts of Ms. McEvoy).

Now here's a helpful hint for you fellow would-be handymen, once you have cut one piece of cork, simply use it as your template and trace around it for the remaining drawers.  Then with steady hands and steely eyes, cut out the remaining 4 pieces.

Place the cork in the drawer curl side down. Then arrange watches as desired. The weight and pressure of the watches will gently push the cork into a flat position.

And behold, you are now the proud owner of a "Big Boy" watch storage system just like to professionals in Switzerland use!

Enjoy your watches!

 

An Owl to Watch Over Your Collection

This is the latest from the folks at Style of Wood -

Courtesy of Style of Wood

a Wooden Box for 8 Watches, 100% manufactured in Italy.

the wood used for this item is Trim Birch with inserts in Walnut.

the owls-eyes are in glass and give a preview of the beautiful content of the box!

Brown Alcantara has been used for the interior.

Courtesy of Style of Wood

available online for CHF 1'790.-

http://bit.ly/VBud91 

Courtesy of Style of Wood

http://styleofwood.com