Watch Collection:
| Debaufre brings Switzerland to the Florida... |
|
| Written by James Enloe | |
| Monday, 02 June 2008 | |
|
When one thinks of Florida there are certain images that come immediately to mind: the elderly retiree wearing plaid shorts and socks (with garters, of course) playing shuffleboard; or the bikini clad spring-breaker consuming mass quantities and doing things that would not make their parents proud. An item most likely not on anyone’s top ten list of phrases associated with Florida would be the words “Swiss made watches,” but that is exactly what Debaufre brings to the Florida coastline. Debaufre began business in the United States in 2005 under the name Steinhart Watches. Right away they began to develop a good reputation with their quality watches and top of the line customer service. Their Ocean line was immediately recognized as a value in the Swiss dive watch sector. In addition to the quality build it was offered in two sizes, 39-mm and 42-mm, which gave people of any wrist-size an option that would best fit their personal preference. Their popularity among the watch company continued to grow through 2006 and into the next year. However, in 2007 however, Debaufre was faced with a challenge that in the end required the company to change their name. Another watch company with a similar name was the catylist for the change. Rather than go through an expensive and lengthy process to fight for the Steinhart name, they made the decision to change the company’s name. Of course this itself is not an inexpensive process and involved re-branding all parts of the company, including their watches. The name chosen to replace Steinhart was Debaufre. The name Debaufre (Day-boo-fray) may, at first, seem like some odd, random name pulled out of thin air. That, however, is not at all the case. In 1704 Jacob and Peter Debaufre (along with Nicholas Facio) were responsible for developing and introducing jewel bearings to be used in watch movements to reduce friction. This accomplishment is still used in modern watches, some 300 plus years after its development. Although the jewel materials may have changed, along with the process for creating them, the application of the jewel bearing remains the same. The purpose for this invention was, as stated, to reduce friction in the watch movement thereby increasing accuracy and the overall life of the movement itself. Without jeweled bearings the movement could suffer from variations in timekeeping due to this friction. Due to this and other achievements Peter Debaufre was admitted into the Clockmakers' Company in 1689. Although the name out front had changed, the people and beliefs behind the company remained the same. The goal of Debaufre is to bring quality, Swiss made watches to the US for reasonable prices, and they do this all from their Florida headquarters. They have continued to expand their watch line-up with more all Swiss made timepieces, including the Airforce line (a large, bold instrument style watch), the racing inspired Le Mans, the big quartz driven Magnum diver, the historically driven Nav-B Limited Edition and their latest limited release, the exquisitely skeletonized Esqueleto Art Deco. Debaufre is also a company that listens to their customers: they are present on a number of watch forums where they solicit feedback and gather ideas for possible future releases. In reading these forums one can also see the evidence of their excellent customer service, showing time and again where they have gone above and beyond and have set the bar very high indeed. Debaufre Watches believes in these things: - L'amour du Temps – a love of time, - More Watch for the Money, and - Swiss Mechanical Timepieces made per the same exacting standards since 1850, quality is offered at affordable prices. Debaufre - Definitely Worth Your Time. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
