Kobold watches any good?

Yes, they are comparable in quality to Sinn and Bell & Ross. I think they represent a solid value for what they are.

Check out this link:

http://www.fratellowatches.com/archives/2004/12/22/kobold-the-official-forum/

 

Yeah good quality watches, good comparison with Sinn.

They have been around since the 90s, and haven't moved into the business of making their own movements yet.

The model you showed uses an ETA Valjoux 7750. Most common swiss chronograph movement.

This is my favorite in the line:
http://koboldwatch.com/products/ps_srf.htm

 

Who does make their own movements?

 

It's not black enough, but it's still a beautiful watch...

 

If you had your way, there wouldn't be any stars

 

Rolex (most if not all models nowadays?), Patek, Vacheron, AP, Lange, Glashutte Original, Union, IWC (on some models), JLC, Chopard (on some models), and a few others I can't recall off the top of my head. The best bang for the buck for watches with in house movements are JLC and Union/Glashutte Original. Most models are priced comparably with watches that have standard ETA movements. I"m particularly fond of Union Glashutte, the little sister brand of G.O. It uses the same G.O. movements, but not as nicely finished. They are also rare as there are no dealers outside Germany and Austria (and maybe Switzerland).

-steve

 

OK, thanks for the info.

 

LOL...!

 

Panerai has made their own movement now

Some more, Zenith (who made a lot of movements for Rolex), Ulysse Nardin (I think one of the most up to date and technical, best Perpetual Calendar, The Freak, Sonata, etc...), Roger Dubuis, Richard Mille, Piaget, Parmigiani Fleurier, Franck Muller, DeWitt, Corum, Breguet (One of the oldest brands), Blancpain, Audemars Piguet( ).

There are a lot more, but both lists should fill most of the big players

Nice thing you put a note on IWC. A lot of people argue over brands like IWC being a true manufacture, since on the movements they say are in house, they buy some small parts (like a balance spring) from an outside source.

Expect to pay a lot more for a watch with a movement made in house, than something using an ETA movement.

JLC, Glashutte, Ulysse Nardin, and Zenith can all be had at decent pricing with an in house movement.

 

Good list - you covered the mfg's I missed. Not sure I agree, though, about UN having an affordable in house movement. Their affordable watches (1815, etc) are based on ETA. The inhouse movements, like the Freak and perpetual, are VERY expensive. Zenith is another good bang for the buck watch. Hell, if the El Primero movement was good enough for Rolex for so many years, it's good enough for me!

So, many Breguet and/or Blancpain (I forget which) use Lemania movements. Is that in house now that the Swatch group doesn't sell them to anyone else?

Speaking of Kobold, where they the ones that sold a reasonably priced 5 minute repeater? It was some small manufacturer, but I forget which. I don't have my wristwatch annual handy. I'd love a real minute repeater - that has to be one of my favorite complications!

-steve

 

Caught me on the UN

Yeah I have a Acqua Perpetual, not cheap

It wasn't Kobold, I read about in one of the watch mags, I'll find it tonight.

Oh yeah, speaking of Swatch Group movements. Rumor is that ETA will stop selling to non-swatch group members... hmmm

 

Maybe this one?

http://www.nivrel.com/kollektion/english/950001aaaes.html

 

Maybe that is what I"m thinking. Did Kelek also use this movement? Not sure why I think it was a small mfg that started with K!

Swatch has been threatening to close the doors on ETA movements for a while now. I wonder if they can really get away with that? That would be bad for the watch industry. There are so many great affordable watches using ETA movements.

-steve

 

Somebody would step in to replace ETA. A few firms have made movements that match ETAs size / specs exactly