AMERICAN BRANDS
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HE PRODUCT of the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph Caliber 9R86 Series ,
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Seiko has produced a timepiece that gently captures my heart in a manner that recalls my enjoyment of a fine wine . Like the wine , this watch is to be savored to allow its sublime details to emerge slowly with each wearing .
Worth noting is that these watches achieve a 10atm rating without the need for a screw-down crown , thanks in large part to a double gasket system engineered into the stem / crown assembly .
AMERICAN CALIBERS Built in partnership with the Arizona-based watchmaking company FTS , the Balboa is also one of the early adopters of the recently released Americhron 7000 series of automatic winding movements .
Unlike so many other “ new ” movements , the Americhron 7000 is not a clone of any other movement and is in fact a new design that embraces time-tested engineering in its own unique layout . Beating at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of just under forty hours , the Americhron has a traditional lever escapement , is anti-magnetic and shock resistant per ISO standards , and comes with a five-year warranty .
Designed to be service-friendly , the Americhron 7000 can be serviced and repaired by any qualified watchmaker able to work on traditional automatic winding movements . Each LaMotte is individually tested for chronometry and certified as meeting or exceeding factory specifications for accuracy . On top of the five-year warranty on the movement , the LaMotte brothers have also decided to offer an eight-year warranty against manufacturing defect .
Thanks to the monochromatic mien of the Balboa , LaMotte ’ s first release feels right at home when active , for casual times , or even dressed-up for a night on the town . It picks up on whatever couture you put around it – from a Speedo to a tuxedo .
Limited to only fifty individually numbered watches , the Balboa will retail at $ 895 and is delivered with two straps and a certification card signed by the watchmaker that built , tested , and certified that particular watch .
More info at www . lamottewatchco . com
110 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2023