What's in a Name?
Just picked up the new 2005 Wristwatch Annual. One of the best additions to this year's book is sandwiched without much fanfare between Ebel and Epos: a helpful pronunciation guide and summary of the brand name origins. Probably 90% of Watch Manufacturers are named for the founders (Audemars Piguet: Jules Audemars & Edward Piguet; Patek Philippe: Antoine Norbert de Patek & Adrien Philippe; Vacheron Constantin: Jean-Marc Vacheron & Francois Constantin).
But a few of them are not.
A few brands are named for places not people: Glashütte (for the city in Germany) and Ventura (for Ventura, California). Latin also has supplied inspiration for many watch brand names including Corum (quorum), Fortis (strong) & Tutima (protected). Hublot comes from the French word meaning "porthole", chosen by Swiss founder Carlo Crocco because his watches reminded him of Ship's porthole. And Rolex comes from a modification of the Spanish words "Relojes Excelentes" (Excellent Watches).
By the way I love it when people call and ask if we have any "Rolodex" watches.
posted by Rich at 12:17 PM
2 Comments:
I am always interested in findng a manual wind Man's Concord Centurian in 18k. One was recently on ebay with a Mother of Pearl and diamond face. It sold for I believe $3,000. I missed it by that much!
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