The Dutch watch brand Van Speyk launched its first models in 2011. Last week Van Speyk presented its newest Dutch Diver models, which are produced in the Netherlands (Dutch made). Normally we don’t write about watches but as announced we like to write an article about watches in combination with a watchwinder. For this review we did choose for a combination with the Swiss Kubik aluminium black. This watchwinder is one of the most popular models from Swiss Kubik and a bestseller since a couple of years.

Van Speyk Dutch Diver

The new Van Speyk Dutch Diver watch does surprise us. The specs are very good (Miyota movement, sapphire glass, 200m waterresistant, screw crown and double layer dial) but more amazing is the very interesting price; 329,00 euro (incl. 21% VAT and free shipment worldwide). We received the blue Dutch Diver from Van Speyk and the blue color is intriging. It’s a dial color which is quite normal for a watch, but it looks very nice. The advantage is that the watch is easy to combine with all kind of clothing. Blue simply does match with a lot of colors.

We did test the Van Speyk Dutch Diver for two weeks and it keeps time perfectly. At night the luminova does its work fine. We didn’t go snorkling or diving with it, which we should have done with a diver, but we expect the watch is extremely well protected against water as Van Speyk promised it us.

Swiss Kubik aluminium black

One of the most popular watchwinder brands in the price level from 400 to 900 euro is Swiss Kubik. The watchwinder is compact, effective and easy to control. It will wind any automatic watch without a problem. The battery function is great to use the watchwinder at a travel or inside a safe. The Swiss Kubik models don’t use a Swiss motor anymore, but it’s still a good watchwinder for an interesting price. A big advantage is the three year warranty, where many other brands only provide two years. Some call it a detail, but we think it’s proof of good service and aftersales.

We hope Swiss Kubik will introduce new models soon, as most available models are on the market for several years. Swiss Kubik watchwinders did prove its quality and therefore we are very curious about new models in another design.

The Van Speyk Dutch Diver wound by a Swiss Kubik watchwinder

As an automatic watch the Dutch Diver has a powerreserve of about 40 hours. Without any movement the watch will loose its energy, and that’s exactly the reason why a watchwinder is so handy. We did wind the watch with the Swiss Kubik watchwinder and we found out it’s a perfect combination.

Sometimes we "discover" a relatively unknown watchwinder brand. One of these brands is Jebely. This watchwinder brand is originally from Switzerland, but taken over by a Taiwan company. Since then Jebely focuses on producing good quality watchwinders. We got in touch with Jebely a few weeks ago and learnd more about this interesting brand. 

The Jebely watchwinders are available in many different styles, colours and materials. The entry-level watchwinders are made of plastic. The more luxury models are made of wood, aluminium and glass. Quite special is that Jebely developed an own gearbox technology which is used in all Jebely watchwinders. This is quite special.

When we take a look at the Jebely website we see a modern design with a nice presentation of all models. We have to say that we are attracted by several models because of the original design. The main markets for Jebely are China and Japan, which could be the reason we didn't know this brand. It's a matter of time till Jebely expands to Europe and the USA, as their watchwinders will be attractive for many automatic watch adepts. 

Soon we will present an interview with Mr. Tony Liao, who is responsible for the Jebely branding and sales. He will inform us about the values and traditions of this Taiwan compay. We are very interested as the Jebely watchwinders do look very promising.

Hopefully we can test a Jebely watchwinder soon, so we can write about its quality, functionality and looks. Thereby we hope Jebely will expand to Europe and the USA so that consumers can see the brand in real. 

Benson Watchwinders from the Netherlands had an incredible success with their Smart-Tech watchwinder series. This series was launched in 2012 and offer a perfect price/quality ratio. Now it's time to present a new series which will be even better than the Smart-Tech watchwinders. The name of this new series? The Benson Watchwinders Black Series. 

The goal of this Dutch brand is to produce a good quality watchwinder with all modern functions which isn't that expensive. In terms of functions and design the current Smart-Tech series can compete with all high-end brands. Some time ago we tested the 8.13.B (already sold out) and we were impressed about the functionality, quality and finishing.

Benson Watchwinders informed us that the new Black Series has even more functions and a beautiful design. We already saw some sketches and we are very surprised about what we saw, indeed the watchwinders of the new Black Series look astonishing. 

A complete new touchscreen was developed for this new series. Thereby the Black Series watchwinders do have some interesting feautures which will be convenient for the user. 

We are looking forward for this new Black Series, and hope it will be as good as Benson Watchwinders says. When we take a look at their current collection of watchwinders we are sure they will do a good job. 

Benson Watchwinders informed us that they are negotiating with interested companies to become distributor. They already signed several distributors and will expand with new distributors soon. 

Soon more news about the new Black Series from Benson Watchwinders! 

After a long and eventful journey through two centuries of European cultural history, a highly
unusual masterpiece of Italian blacksmith art has passed through the gates of the Döttling
manufactory and has been lovingly restored after 19 months of delicate work. Now this jewel of a safe is waiting to crown the exclusive home of a discerning connoisseur.

The safe, built in 1872 by the famous Morosini brothers in Milan, was apparently commissioned by Victor Emmanuel II, who reigned from 1861 to 1878 over the Kingdom of Italy. Its royal origin is visible on both inner doors of the safe, on which the fittings of origin are encased with ornate brass ornaments culminating at the top with the royal coat of arms of the House of Savoy with the crown.

The fact that the Morosini brothers’ safe was forged for the amorous correspondence of the king with his long-time mistress and later wife is indicated by two wonderful details on the inner doors that were engraved as a secret code. Hidden under the royal crown and lettering, both inner door fittings are engraved with a rose, surrounded by a heart-shaped crest which opens upwards. “Rosa” the first name of the king’s great love, means “rose” in Italian.

It can be assumed that the two Medusa-like medals on the outside of the safe depict the king’s mistress in her younger years. In any case, access to the interior of the safe is granted through one of the two. Only after activating a secret mechanism does one of the two medals move to the side, exposing the keyhole behind it.

How the safe found its way to Southern Germany, where Döttling scouts secured it in the aftermath of a house demolition, is unfortunately not known. What is certain is that after many months of detailed work, the Döttling manufactory has been able to restore it to the freshly radiant testimonial of a great royal love.

There are people on this world that have enough money to spend it on the most beautiful items. They buy special cars, build incredible houses and have a great watch collection. Buben & Zörweg notes the demand for secret safes to keep the valuable watch collections safe. 

A good example is the client recently commissioned Buben & Zörweg to install three of its 580kg, 2 metre high X-007 safes deep under the floor of his palatial European home, insisting they are completely concealed from view. The safes and the floor openings themselves, almost like a trap door on the stage of a theatre, only come into view when the owner remotely activates them. Thanks to a double lift system, the entire safe then dramatically elevates, revealing a 360 degree bullet-proof glass showcase, which itself then elevates to allow access to the contents of the safe. 

One client has recently kept Buben & Zörweg busy with demands for a high security fence outside his villa plus two high-security, double-lock doors leading up to the room where his three safes are located.

Another client, with a residence in London’s One Hyde Park apartment block, a building popular with international billionaires, wanted reassurance that the entire team installing his safe would never have any way of finding out the floor or number of his apartment. A top secret installation saw every last inch of the lift at One Hyde Park covered up with cardboard throughout the installation process. 

The really wealthy people do everything to keep their valuables safe. Their automatic watch collection is safe with Buben & Zörweg, as they combine state of the art German engineering technology, perfect hand craftsmanship, forward-thinking design and security systems originally masterminded for Swiss bank vaults to conceive and manufacture their world-class luxury safes and private museums.