- Joined
- Jul 15, 2014
- Messages
- 3,002
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.
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.
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.
The fit and finish of this lightly-brushed case is literally flawless.
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!
The dial and case back are both marked "Swiss", not "Swiss Made".
But we certainly have no doubt that the strap was made in China!
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.
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.
The fit and finish of this lightly-brushed case is literally flawless.
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!
The dial and case back are both marked "Swiss", not "Swiss Made".
But we certainly have no doubt that the strap was made in China!
I can find no reference anywhere as to what luminescent material is used on the Stratos. But, it is decent and fairly long-lasting. | |
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. 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. 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! And as always... Thanks for lookin', WiTs!!! |