For small watchwinder brands it's hard to grow as the market is very competitive with many brands. Sometimes a brand is different than others which makes them interesting. One of these brands is Paul Design.

This watchwinder brand from Hong Kong does produce watchwinders with a very high level of quality and finish, for acceptable retail prices. We have seen the watchwinders in real time when we visited Hong Kong, and we were amazed about the use of materials and clear philosophy of the brand. The Paul Design watchwinders do become increasingly popular and are also sold in Europe by Watchwinders.com, a specialist in watchwinders. 

When we take a look at the different models of Paul Design we notice a passion for fine watchwinder making. The materials used are beautiful, the interiour finish is of a high level and the overal design is just great. 

Very important is the watch holder, which is specially developed and is suitable for any automatic watch, big or small. You just plug the watch holder with automatic watch inside the watchwinder, set the preferred settings by the control panel and there you go. 

The Paul Design watchwinders do wind any automatic watch regardless brand or model, as you can choose the direction of rotation and TPD (turns per day). You can also turn on the led light so you can see your watches rotating. 

Normally we see watchwinders with this kind of quality level for quite high retail prices. Paul Design watchwinders are not cheap, but certainly not expensive. You get real value for money, and that's important in a market situation nowadays. 

The new Buben & Zörweg Grande Private Museum presented this year at Baselworld in Switzerland can rightfully be considered a feat of German engineering having required over 2000 hours of research and development. The sheer complexity of planning and technology is visible in every detail, like the quiet motors that vertically move the 22 mm thick, 100 kg heavy bullet-proof glass in a steady soft motion in order to reveal the precious treasures inside. But even then, access is regulated by an invisible laser grid that guarantees there is no unauthorised access.

The lower part of the Grande Private Museum can now be used for storage, presentation, installing an SI-80 safe or even a humidifying system. And as most things in life, individuality plays a big role in this concept and is the reason why all its aspects can be adapted to reflect personal preferences. Secure and with aesthetic appeal, the Grande Private Museum by Buben & Zörweg is a masterpiece of German engineering, creative design and innovative technology.

“For some collectors, a treasure is more about personal memories and sentimental rather than financial value. What we know for certain is that anything our clients exhibit in a Buben & Zörweg Grande Private Museum is an expression of what they are truly passionate about,” says Christian Zörweg. 

Luxury safes from Döttling are imposing works of art that grace any room with their peerless design. The latest creation from the factory in Maichingen, the Fortress Maximus, is no exception, even though its concept is truly exceptional. That’s because it is actually two luxury safes in one: The upper section with its strong round doors is reminiscent of the legendary vaults found in American banks during the Prohibition era. The lower section is a high-tech, high-security safe with an incredibly versatile interior. Both are housed harmoniously in one body to produce a unique masterpiece.

At first glance, it is the solid presence of the upper safe doors on the Fortress Maximus that catches the eye. The smoothly functioning, highly complex locking mechanism opens upon entering a personal code. The door swings open, revealing the elegantly designed interior. There is room for 15 precision watchwinders here, or the optionally available and particularly innovative Döttling Touch & Move precision watchwinders.

The lower section of the Fortress Maximus provides maximum security, meeting the certified security class VdS/EN 3. If required, even VdS/EN 5 is possible. The interior is perfectly protected by a biometric fingerprint lock and can be configured to suit personal preferences. Additional watchwinders can be fitted, for instance, or drawers for jewelry and documents.

Both safe sections are housed in one body upholstered with the finest calfskin. But since individuality is an inherent attribute of a Döttling safe, it goes without saying that numerous other select materials, colors, and configurations are available.

The Fortress Maximus is available in a strictly limited edition of just five safes.

Early this year we wrote about RDI watchwinders on our blog. At Baselworld we met the team of RDI watchwinders and did get a presentation of this very exciting watchwinder brand. Now we have interviewed the owner of RDI, mr. Charles Kaeser. 

Could you please introduce yourself and describe your function at RDI watchwinders?

RDI Charles Kaeser CEO, I started my career 40 years ago. I worked for multinationals in the cosmetic and dental field. I developed also a unique injection moulding process for multinationals. RDI-Charles Kaeser society is also producing automatic units and equipment for the production and packaging of homeopathic products. For about 3 years, I did my true entry into the horological world, with the launch of the Safe-Lift. After the Safe-Lift, I did the launch of a luxury watchwinder range for the watch collectors.

How would you describe the RDI company?

RDI-Charles Kaeser is a family society based 10 minutes far from Lausanne. The society is in charge for the new products. All stages of the manufacturing are done in RDI-Charles Kaeser society, except the workpieces that are subcontracted.

RDI values are; quality, know-how, client satisfaction. Ask for your personalized watchwinder, RDI-Charles Kaeser will do it.

How would you describe the RDI watchwinders?

Just a few words for telling what are RDI-Charles Kaeser watchwinders: outside: elegance and simplicity, inside: sophisticated. An exceptional watchwinder for an exceptional watch.

RDI watchwinders have 16 programs. They consist of an economical motor protected by a clutch system which keeps them safe in the event of inadvertent mishandling. Their mechanism is considered to be one of the most silent in the world and ensures optimal user friendliness. Their distinctive design enables them to hold all kinds of models, from the most avant-garde to historical pieces.

Can you tell us more about the production proces?

Produced with high quality material they can be used with batteries or mains.
The Safe-Lift is a unique piece made of gold, palladium and ruthenium. He is activated by a remote control. Users can at will bring up the lift, open the doors to access the watches and then close them again.

What are the main markets for RDI? And can you tell us more about the business structure; do you have distributors, dealers or do you sell directly to consumers? 

The main markets are direct sales to customers or sales done by our distributors. We also have some of our watchwinders in some selling points. Internet sales is a strong point. In fact, it is a complement to direct sales. We want to develop this type of sale. We want to develop this sector.

Our project is new creation. We also want to develop our internet sales.

In which way will RDI develop the coming years? What will be the focus? 

Our goal: RDI-Charles Kaeser: your choice for your watchwinder.

If you would compare RDI with another watchwinder brand, which brand is this and why? 

The comparing brand would be Buben Zorweg. Why Buben Zorweg? Because Buben Zorweg is for us the upscale picture we want to give.

What new projects can we expect soon? 

We are working on a new watchwinder, a new RDI watchwinder creation.

Why should we buy a RDI watchwinder? 

Why buying RDI watchwinder? Because: You want to treat yourself

You are looking for quality
You are looking for beauty
You are looking for art in your watchwinder
You are looking for a custom watchwinder
You are looking for the watchwinder out of ordinary

We love to present (new) watchwinder brands with passion for quality, finish and fine materials. Good examples are Chronovision, Heisse & Söhne, Swiss Kubik, Wolf, Rapport etc etc.

On the other hand we like to be critical about “brands” which offer low quality products and pretend if the consumer buys a high quality watchwinder for a firm price. Aevitas watchwinders is such a brand. The website of Aevitas watchwinders looks professional and stylish. Neverthless the watchwinders are made in China with low quality materials and old fashioned technique. The trick to present high-end Swiss made watches in the watchwinders is to mislead consumers.

We all know that after some time the first signs of defects will appear; more and more noise, shaking watch holders, electronical problems, defective motor(s) etc etc. You better spend a little more money and buy a good watchwinder which you can enjoy for years.

Based on our experience and visits at several Chinese watchwinder factories it’s fair to say these Aevitas watchwinders aren’t probably worth more than 30-40% of the listed prices.

It’s like a Chinese factory owner told us; “if they want a cheap watchwinder, they get a cheap watchwinder”.