We are proud to welcome Kunstwinder as our new partner at Watchwinder Blog. This beautiful and very special brand from the USA did catch our eye some time ago. We love watchwinders which are original, and Kunstwinder certainly is. 

About Valentin Balter, founder of Kunstwinder

An engineer in Silicon Valley, Valentin Balter’s 30 plus years of professional experience with intricate machinery naturally grew to encompass the world of mechanical watches. As his collection expanded, it soon became impossible to wear each watch for the amount of time it deserved. He tried to find an automatic watch winder that would keep his automatic watches in proper working order and also provide a visually appealing display option for his collection. However, he was disappointed by the options available: most were unimaginative, mere functional wooden or metal boxes meant to hide the timepieces rather than properly showcase their artistry.

Realizing there was a niche in the market for a watch winder that would be appreciated by collectors such as himself, he started work on the initial design in 2007. After years of work, the Oil Baron was finally perfected and ready to be released to collectors. But what to call the newly created company? Valentin’s daughter was studying German at the time and so, after much deliberation, the name Kunstwinder—literally, “the Art of Winding”—was born.

Inspired to continue playfully reinterpreting existing mechanical apparatuses, Valentin soon added the Ferris Wheel and Chronos to the Kunstwinder product line. More than 150 units have been sold worldwide and several new prototypes are currently in various stages of development. Each new model is conceived and designed in accordance with the Kunstwinder mission: to combine superior functionality with imagination and artistry in a watch winder worthy of displaying your most valued timepieces.

About Kunstwinder

Kunstwinder is a family-owned, California-based watch winder manufacturer. They are in business since 2009, and they sold more than 150 watch winders since then. Their philosophy is that a watch winder can be a piece of art on is own and not just a mere functional box. The models are patented and limited editions of at most 300 pieces, you know when you are buying one of our watch winders you are acquiring something truly unique. 

The Swiss made watchwinders from Bernard Favre, a Swiss brand, are exceptional. The watchwinders combine quality with design and high-end materials. The original method of winding an automatic watch attracts a lot of watch adepts. With several programs the Bernard Favre Planet watchwinder can wind any automatic watch.

We tested two Planet watchwinders some time ago and they are still running perfectly without any sound.

Soon Bernard Favre will present some new innovations. These innovations and new models will be presented at Baselworld, Switzerland. Baselworld is the biggest watch fair worldwide. We are happy to meet Bernard Favre at Baselworld in march and certainly write about all interesting news related to this brand.

You know the feeling: you come home and just want to securely store your money, valuable watch, car key, or the jewelry you are wearing in a simple way. A typical case for the latest product of the luxury safe manufactory Döttling based in Sindelfingen – the Quick ’n’ Safe. It is extremely compact and particularly easy to use. But even if the Quick ’n’ Safe does credit to its name, the Swabian safe specialists have not shied away from spending time on its development. This also applies to the manufacturing. This makes the new addition to the lineup a real Döttling in terms of quality and design – through and through.

Fast and secure – this also applies to our new Quick ’n’ Safe when it comes to installation in the existing decor: thanks to its compact size, it can be easily integrated into cabinets, chests, desks, or other pieces of furniture.

The body of the Quick ’n’ Safe is covered in the finest calfskin. As for the doors, calfskin has also been used – here it is quilted – with up to 57 different colors available for the leather and seams. Either harmoniously color-coordinated combinations or exciting contrast variations can be realized. The electronic locking system is centrally positioned on the surface of the door and can be locked and opened in next to no time using a four-digit code. High-quality alcantara has been used inside the Quick ’n’ Safe. There is enough room here for up to six watch winders. Alternatively, weapons can also be safely stored. Upon request, they can also integrate a USB port for charging cell phones or laptops.

The new Quick ’n’ Safe is available at a starting price of EUR 5,000 (net). 

When Benson launched its Black Series watchwinders early 2016 we were positively surprised by the looks and quality. In fact we did test two Black Series watchwinders and they are still at our desks in our office. The design and functionality are of a high level, which are the reasons we kept them for everyday use. 

Within one year Benson realized a dealer network of more than 150 jewellers worldwide. The distribution in the USA just started and the forecasts are looking good. 

The Benson Black Series collection will be extended with a collection of watch cases for 8, 12 and 16 watches. The exterior colours will be black, carbon fiber, white and macassar. We have seen already some sketches and must say we are looking forward to see them when they become available. Benson expects these watch cases to be ready around february 2017. Soon we will post some pictures. 

As we are a Blog about watchwinders, we are even more curious about the new Benson Black Series Tower watchwinders of the Dutch brand. We already received some information which we are happy to share with you. The new tower watchwinders are based on the current Black Series watchwinder models. They will have the same control panel, LED light and functionality. Thereby they will be available in black, carbon fibre, white and macassar exterior. 

The new Benson Black Series Tower watchwinders do differ from the current Black Series collection as they have a different design/structure; it's a tower. They are bigger and offer a complete compartment to store other things as jewellery, other watches or whatever you like to store inside. 

Retail prices are not known yet, but we can expect very competitive prices from Benson. All watchwinders are supplied with manual and certificate. Benson expects them to be available around february 2017. 

From rare woods and leather to inbuilt sound systems, Buben & Zörweg handcrafted safes are as unique as the collectible treasures they protect and display. Buben & Zörweg, creators of multifunctional luxury safes, watchwinders and clocks for the world’s most passionate watch collectors, now presents their Bespoke Line; an innovative service which reduces the waiting time for customisable safes.

Luxury is in the details. With the Bespoke Line a choice of designs, materials and colours allows collectors to express their personality in the most indulgent of ways. Each Buben & Zörweg bespoke masterpiece can be personalised with a range of 10 distinct shades of fine Italian nappa leather and 10 individual high gloss lacquer finishes. Colours range from arctic white, to diabolo red, havanna brown, graphite and emerald green.

The Buben & Zörweg Bespoke Line enables collectors to create a masterpiece that is unique to them, receiving it in an expedited time frame. At only 12 weeks from order to creation, customers are able to individualise their safe in a stress-free manner and receive it far faster than Buben & Zörweg entirely made-to-order commissions.

Buben & Zörweg offers the Bespoke Line service across 10 of its handcrafted safe collections. and they also offers an installation service, flying specially trained technicians anywhere in the world to install its masterpieces.

Founder Harald Buben said: “Bespoke Line is the only service of its kind in our industry. Each customised masterpiece allows the owner to personally participate in the creation. One customer wanted his safe’s leather and stitching to match his newly ordered Bentley convertible. The safe now stands proudly in his bedroom beneath a photo of him with his two sons in front of his new car. With four in 10 orders at Buben & Zörweg comprising bespoke requests, Bespoke Line makes it easier for passionate collectors to create something unique to them.”