Early last year we wrote about Avante watchwinders. This brand from Hong Kong produces since 2009 watchwinders in the higher price range. The first generation Avante watchwinders did have several nice features as world's most compact auto elevated watch winding system and a smart-card to set the watchwinder. We were curious about how Avante developed in one year. 

The Avante watchwinders are not that famous in Europe and the US. They focus on markets as Asia, Australia and Russia. We are not sure why they don't have any official dealers in Europe and the US as we expect they can be pretty successful. Avante watchwinders combine modern technique with good designs, which is an attractive combination for many watch adepts. 

Recently Avante presented its newest series; "Prestige". The Prince J4 and J6 are good examples of the craftmanship and features this Hong Kong brand does offer. 

We also did check their Facebook page and we see not much activity. Unfortunately, as we think Avante watchwinders are very interesting and we love to read more about this brand. We will follow this brand! 

It's some time ago that we wrote about Rapport watchwinders. Then we were not really convinced about the technique and durability. We heard different experiences from users, and the watchwinders design did look a bit old fashioned in our opinion. Last "Baselworld", world's biggest watch fair held in Switzerland, we visited their booth and talked with them.

Rapport appointed some new distributors which resulted in better sales. Rapport told us that they put a lot of effort in producing watchwinders of better quality, and that new series will achieve that goal. In our opinion the last five years Rapport lost the competition with other brands like Swiss Kubik and Wolf, but it seems they found a way up. This way up didn't result in new series yet, but Rapport informed us they will present new models soon.

The old fashioned look will stay (and maybe we have to say "traditional"), but that doesn't mean that Rapport can't be really successful. We believe there is a big market for watchwinders with a more sophesticated and traditional look. The materials of the Rapport watchwinders do look and feel good. It's a nice accessory for many watch lovers, and will look great in the living room, study room or office.

We expect that Rapport will be successful in its own way. With its "British" look they are an interesting alternative for other watchwinder brands as they offer quality and tradition for an affordable price.

Our blog is about watchwinders, an accessory for automatic watches to keep them running. Normally we write only about watchwinders. It's what this blog is about. The last period we received multiple messages from readers who asked us to combine watches with watchwinders in our articles. We gave it a thought....

We think it's a good idea to write articles about watchwinders sometimes in combination with one or more automatic watches. But our focus will be on watchwinders, and we only write about automatic watches as there is no link between quartz watches and watchwinders. 

We already spoke with a promising Dutch watch brand which will send us a few of their newest watches when they will be available. We will test these watches in combination with the most popular watchwinder of Swiss Kubik. We hope to present you this article within 2-3 weeks. 

When you have ideas, suggestions and tips for our blog please don't hesitate to write us. We learn every day!

Last year we met mr. Chen, owner of Paul Design watchwinders. During our meeting Chen told us about the history, philosophy and characteristics of his brand. We noticed a drive to produce watchwinders which have their own design and modern technique. You would say this is quite normal, but we have seen different from Chinese brands. Many Chinese watchwinder brands do copy designs and offer their watchwinders for low prices. Of course not only the price is different from European or American producers, the quality is also different.

Paul Design produces watchwinders with solid materials, relaible technique and special designs. Chen did show us several models of his latest series and explained about the technique and materials they use. It's not his goal to produce low priced watchwinders which will last for one or two years, Chen's focus is to produce a watchwinder which can be used for many years, and is suitable for all kind of automatic watches.

New Paul Design "Black Shadow" series

After the successful launch of Paul Design's first series which is sold by several dealers worldwide it was time to present a new series. This new series is inspired by the current series but has a new color; "Black Shadow".

These watchwinders have the latest technique but also a new exteriour color. We must say it's beautiful. It gives the watchwinder a complete new dimension, as many watchwinders are just black or brown. 

Within a few weeks we will receive a piece of this new series and then we will test it and write a review about it. We are already very curious:)

Paul Design Optima - an original compact watchwinder

We like it very much that Paul Design goes where others don't go. The new Optima watchwinder is a very good example of this. The Paul Design Optima watchwinder is a combination of a single watchwinder and a clock (temperature function and day/month indication). It's very easy to switch the watchwinder to the clock function and the other way around. It's the result of clever thinking.

The good news is that this watchwinder is quite affordable; 229 Euro / 240 USD. 

At the end of this year we will visit the Paul Design factory. Of course we will keep you posted about this interesting watchwinder brand, and first we will present a review about the Paul Design watchwinder we will receive within six weeks.

Recently Buben & Zörweg presented the new high-end watchwinder Agartos. It took craft, design and technology experts two years to create the Agartos, which is a showcase and watchwinder, which holds five watches and is crowned with its own open-dial tourbillon clock.

It was a project that would involve 4000 hours of development. That’s the equivalent of one person working over 8 hours a day for an entire two years, five days a week, 52 weeks a year. Only the best brands do have the resources to accomplish such a project.

Nomination for a design award

Buben & Zörweg’s Agartos has now been nominated for the 2015 German Design Award, the German Design Council’s annual prize honouring unique design from round the globe, in the Excellent Product Design category. This is a great achievement after so many hours of work.

State of the art five axel CNC machines and 3D printing technology were used to create the fluid, masculine form and flawless finish of the Agartos. Its doors sweep open and closed in response to sensor technology, only when the person touching the Agartos knows where to slide their hands. A transponder can lock the Agartos securely.

The high gloss metallic piano lacquer on the aluminium chassis of the Agartos is a version of the lacquer found on supercars. It took six months to refine the composition of the lacquer Buben & Zörweg now calls ‘stardust’ and which has become the company’s signature lacquer. All sanding and polishing is conducted with meticulous precision and attention to detail, given that the Agartos is far smaller than a supercar.

Buben & Zörweg showing their passion for their clients

One Buben & Zörweg client in Singapore recently ordered a bespoke version of the Agartos asking for it to resemble the Iron Man cartoon character. Buben & Zörweg’s design team promptly rose to the challenge.

The result is fantastic. This special watchwinder was presented at Baselworld last march where we did get a full presentation how this watchwinder works. It proves the fine craftmanship Buben & Zörweg offers its clients.