Review: Balmer Stratos - One Very Nice Watch of Questionable Heritage.

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timetraveler

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This is the watch that I bought, changed my mind about and canceled, then changed my mind again and bought it again. This Balmer Stratos arrived a few days ago, and overall I'm quite happy with it.

MRPNwC.jpg


But I don't know much more about the brand than I did before the purchase.


Here's what I do know:

1. The Balmer brand was one of those sold on TV years ago by John House of "Always At Market". His other brands at the time included Magico, Wohler, Duboule, and several more. At the time it was the common collector-opinion that the brands were Chinese in origin and manufacture.

2. Several of those brands, including Balmer, remain on the market today... apparently under different ownership.

3. Today, the Balmer Brand is a registered trademark of Le Bonheur Group Sarl, Rue Du Rhone 65, 1204 Geneva. the TM was valid as of 5-17-17. They are legally represented in the US by the Richard Law Group of Dallas, TX. The most current phone numbers for Always At Market are "not in service".

4. Specs on the same model of a Balmer watch vary slightly, depending upon the on-line retailer.

5. The generic box is so cheaply made that I wouldn't even ship a watch to Bob in it!

5. But I really, really like this watch anyhow.


Specs from my seller, jClub (my comments are in parentheses):

1-year manufacturer’s warranty
• Style: 14145
• 316L stainless steel case, case back, and buckle
• Genuine leather strap with white accent stitching
• Scratch resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal (Sapphire, I'm not sure. AR coated - yes.)
• Swiss-made Ronda 7004.B big date movement (I do know it's "big date")
• Custom Balmer engravings on case back and buckle
• Large calendar date window at 12 o'clock
• Real time 60 second sub-dial at 6 o'clock
• Battery life: up to 4 years (We'll see.)
• Water resistant up to 10 ATM (330')
• Named after the legendary Lancia Stratos sports car
• Ultimate craftsmanship and quality (Ultimate?)
• Case measures 46mm L x 53mm W x 14mm H
• Band measures 7.6" L x 24mm W



And here we go...


I think most of you will agree that this is one good-looking watch.
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The crystal is very gently domed which lends interest but not great distortion. The fixed coin-edge bezel works well with the Pam-inspired cushion case. Note the deeply engraved and large signed crown.
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The fit and finish of this lightly-brushed case is literally flawless.
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Even under a loupe, I cannot determine whether the dial is a true sandwich, or pseudo-sandwich type. (Once you start questioning things, you can't stop.) But the Big Date window at "12" is a treat for these old eyes!
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The dial and case back are both marked "Swiss", not "Swiss Made".
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But we certainly have no doubt that the strap was made in China!
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I can find no reference anywhere as to what luminescent material is used on the Stratos. But, it is decent and fairly long-lasting.
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On the wrist this watch is a joy. It is well-balanced, strap and dial color match perfectly, and the nice 5mm strap is soft and supple, right out of the box.
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And here's the cheesy box the watch was delivered in - no brand name, a sprung-ish hinge, and just wide enough to let the top close over the watch. The pillow has loose threads, and the 3-hand instruction sheet does not sync up with this specific movement.
izkfBn.jpg




So there, my friends, you have it! A watch that asks as many questions as it answers.

It's certainly a mixed bag from a nit-pickin' collector's point of view. And since I haven't yet opened the case (I left my opener back in Luziana), I can't even verify that the watch contains a Swiss Ronda movement.

But this I
do know... It's a damn nice watch. And I really, really Like it!

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And as always... Thanks for lookin', WiTs!!!
:applaud:

 
(Sapphire, I'm not sure. AR coated - yes.)

Nice review. No doubt in my mind it is a sapphire coated mineral. The manufacturer makes no secret about it and openly has it in the specs. There is always going to discrepancies in descriptions from other sellers.

http://balmerwatches.com/watches/stratos/

Reference
#14145

MSRP
$1,499.00

CASE TYPE
Cushion style case with round coin edge bezel. Screw-down caseback.

MATERIALS
316L Stainless Steel Case, Crown, Case Back and Buckle. Leather Strap

DIMENSIONS
46mm x 46mm x 14mm

CROWN
Screw-down, waterproofing system.

DIAL
39mm, Sandwich style Dial
Green Superluminova

CRYSTAL
Anti-refflective Sapphire Coated Mineral

WATER RESISTANCE
100m (330 feet)

MOVEMENT
Swiss made, quartz, analog.

CALIBRE
Ronda Mastertech 7004.B. 6 jewels, gold plated EOL.

FUNCTIONS
Big Date, Hour, Minute and small seconds hands.

BATTERY
Standard 381 battery, 1.5 Volts, Battery life up to 48 months.

BAND
Soft Black Leather with Contrast stitching.
195mm x 22mm Strap Size.
Stainless Steel Buckle.

INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL

 
a nice looking watch TT-

gr8 thorough detective work and collective horo memory-

i did not know all that about brand provenance...and i found your current data about brand ownership, location, headquarters...particularly illuminating ....

-interesting how these old brands fall to earth...providing lower price point entries for collectors...and continuing to allow monetization of the trademark by cash flow and a multiple of cash flow for possible sale...


-another fine review...wear in your own style...punching above its weight no reverse mtg. necessary-
 
a nice looking watch TT-

gr8 thorough detective work and collective horo memory-

i did not know all that about brand provenance...and i found your current data about brand ownership, location, headquarters...particularly illuminating ....

-interesting how these old brands fall to earth...providing lower price point entries for collectors...and continuing to allow monetization of the trademark by cash flow and a multiple of cash flow for possible sale...


-another fine review...wear in your own style...punching above its weight no reverse mtg. necessary-

http://watchintyme.com/showthread.php?44326-Watch-Buyer-s-Remorse-TWICE!!!/page2
 
Nice... Ronda big dates are really nice. I only own one in an old RDQ but its served me very well.
 
Thanks for the research and review. Well done, Bill. Your new Balmer Stratos looks excellent on the wrist...Congratulations and wear it often and well!
 
Thanks for the research and review. Well done, Bill. Your new Balmer Stratos looks excellent on the wrist...Congratulations and wear it often and well!


Thank you! I had lots of help from several members here, and ferreted out some of the details on the interweb. But the watch is definitely one that I will wear often.
 
I like it, i have the bronze one same size, shape and movement. I agree, they are really made well, and yours looks really nice.
congrats and enjoy
 
Cool research into the brands origins.

John House brands were raging popular a ~decade+ or so ago... rousseau was the dressy brand, SUG was the sporty rugged looking name. Wasn't 32 degrees also a JH "brand"? Jim Skelton used to showcase the 32D name back when he was on Shop, the early days of watchgeeks. There are a bunch of other names I am certainly forgetting.
 
A fine review Bill!

Outstanding pics as usual too. After you finally decided on it you got a great looking watch. Congrats!
 
First instinct was spot on congrats and enjoy it often.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I HATE when I have to agree with you (and Joel on the rare occasion he's correct) but this is, indeed, a VERY nice watch. The blue and big date are outstanding. It looks very expensive. Wear it well.
 
Looks great to me, Bill. And looks right at home on the wrist.
Congrats on another cool score!
 
:outstand: A big congratulations, Bill!:up::applaud:
 
I thought Magico was a SWI brand, not John House?

In any case, great looking watch and a nice review.

Here's what I do know:

1. The Balmer brand was one of those sold on TV years ago by John House of "Always At Market". His other brands at the time included Magico, Wohler, Duboule, and several more. At the time it was the common collector-opinion that the brands were Chinese in origin and manufacture.
 
A very nice looking watch , we congrats
 
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