2012 « AZ Fine Time Blog

It’s now officially 2013 (and has been for over a couple of weeks now) and the AZ Fine Time Blog is back to work. For our 1st post of the new year, we wanted to show off our top selling watches of 2012. With many great pieces to choose from, and limited availability on most, it made for many difficult choices, but here they are… AZ Fine Time’s Top 12 Watches of 2012!

Seiko Astron GPS Limited Edition SAST001

1. The Seiko Astron GPS Solar SAST001 was expected to be a huge item once we saw it for the 1st time back at the Basel Fair. While the entire series sold incredibly well this year, the SAST001 Limited Edition blew away the competition tremendously. With only 2,500 pieces available to the world, it was hard to believe that we were able to get enough supply to make it #1, but the SAST001 made top rank no question. Aside from being a beautiful timepiece, it is also the worlds 1st solar powered analog watch to sync to GPS satellites and update the time based on your location. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $3,850

Grand Seiko Snowflake SBGA011

2. The Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake SBGA011 is, without a doubt, one of the most popular items at AZ Fine Time. In fact, it could easily be the best selling model in the entire Grand Seiko line up. While the Astron took 1st place in our top 12, this GS only ranked 2nd due to a slightly thinner availability. While there are not many of them to be had in a years course, we were able to get our hands on enough to bring it to the #2 spot. With Seiko’s amazingly accurate Spring Drive movement, Seiko’s own ultra-light High-Intensity Titanium and one of the coolest dials on the market, you can’t go wrong. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $7,600

Citizen Proximity AT7035-01E

3. The Citizen Proximity Bluetooth Watch AT7035-01E came out late in 2012 and had enough momentum to make it to our #3 spot in that short time. The 1st solar powered fully analog watch to sync with your iPhone (4S or 5) can notify you of incoming calls, emails and if you lose your bluetooth connection. It also has a phone finder, chronograph, perpetual calendar, and will update the time on the watch, based on the time on your phone. The other variation (AT7030-05E) was very close to being our #3 watch, but the AT7035-01E beat it out only by a few pieces. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $495

Mido Multifort Chronograph PVD Special Edition II M005.614.36.051.22

4. The Mido Multifort Chronograph PVD Special Edition II M005.614.36.051.22 was easily the top pick of Mido, but making it up to our #4 spot was really impressive. This model was wildly popular in 2012 and I would expect it to be through 2013. While it is not limited to any specific number, they are limited production and fairly difficult to get. As one of the best values on the market for a 7750 movement (not to mention a great looking watch overall), it is not hard to believe that people were loving this Mido. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review (of the same model on a rubber strap) HERE. MSRP $2,200

Campanola Grand Complication AH4000-01X

5. The Campanola Grand Complication AH4000-01X is one of the top tier products from Citizen Watch Co. The hand made, hand finished and hand lacquered timepiece is not only beautiful to look at, but extremely complicated. With such features as perpetual calendar, chronograph, minute repeater and moon phase this Grand Complication is coveted by collectors and still very affordable. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $3,400

Glycine Combat Sub Stealth 3863.99AT9 N8-TB2

6. The Glycine Combat Sub Stealth 386.99AT9N8-TB2 took off this year after its debut at the Basel Fair. After spending most of the summer trying to fill back-orders, this new stealthy sub is finally available and still gaining speed. The PVD coated “blacked out” look of the watch along with an olive green NATO strap really gave this piece a stealthy and militant look that appealed to many. See it on our site HERE. An in depth review will be coming soon. MSRP $1,350

Fortis Spacematic 623.22.42

7. The Fortis Spacematic 623.22.42 was another great value Swiss automatic that was a huge success here at AZ Fine Time. The cool blue fully luminescent dial of the Spacematic was probably one of our favorite attributes, but all factors of design are very clean and simple, making for a great everyday wear. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $1,425

Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture FC-710MC4H6

8. The Frederique Constant Classics Manufacture FC-710MC4H6 was definitely one of the most popular dress models in our store. With its classic design and incredibly reasonable in-house manufactured movement, it was hard to resist. The quality for the money has always been great from Frederique Constant, but this piece has become one of the best values in its range. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $2,250

Orient Pro Saturation Diver CFD0C001B

9. The Orient Pro Saturation Diver CFD0C001B is built like a beast and an incredible tool dive watch. With Orient being one of the newest brands at AZ Fine Time, it was hard to guess which piece would be our best selling. In an incredible price range in all realms (but starting around $100), one of the most expensive in their line up has easily earned top rank for the brand in our store. At nearly half the price of its competition, there is no surprise why. See it on our site HERE and see our in depth review HERE. MSRP $2,150

Alpina Heritage Pilot Limited Edition AL-435B4SH6

10. The Alpina Heritage Pilot AL-435B4SH6 is the largest piece in our line up. At 50mm wide, this large pilots piece is incredibly legible and has a nice vintage design. The commemorative limited edition has a manual wind movement with a hunter case back to see its beautiful decoration. See it on our site HERE . An in depth review will be coming soon. MSRP $1,595

G-Shock GA100B-7A

11. The Casio G-Shock GA100B-7A comes in at the lowest price point on our top 12, but a great watch all the same. With tons of G-Shock to choose from, and many being incredibly popular, this black and blue dialed ana-digi with white resin case and strap just narrowly came in at the top of the G-Shock’s. See it on our site HERE. MSRP $110

EDOX WRC Chronorally 36001 3 NIN

12. The Edox WRC Chronorally 36001 3 NIN is the final piece in our top 12. With a 48mm case, very cool rally car inspired design, and over the top functionality, it has been the staple in the Edox collection for us. It’s a movement proprietary to Edox that has hours, minutes, race timing, total time, replay, countdown, and chronograph. See it on our site HERE. An in depth review will be coming soon. MSRP $3,150.

Hope you enjoyed!

The Grand Seiko Roadshow is back at AZ Fine Time! For the 3rd year in a row, you will be able to see a Grand Seiko Master Watchmaker build an actual Grand Seiko movement here in our store in Scottsdale, AZ on Dec. 7th from 2-8pm. If you are in the area, it is a very memorable event that you won’t want to miss.

For the 1st time, we will not have a Spring Drive watchmaker on site, but a master Hi-Beat watchmaker who will be building the Grand Seiko 9S85 movement here in our store! Come down and meet Mr. Tsutomu Ito in person and see him build one of the most difficult calibers in the Grand Seiko line up. Mr. Ito started with Morioka Seiko Instruments back in 1991, by 2003 was a 1st grade certified skilled worker, and in 2010 was awarded 2nd rank in a national skills competition in watchmaking. Needless to say, he is more than qualified for the job. Also, Mr. Ito will be providing autographs during the event for purchases made. He will either autograph the watch box, or catalog for anyone who purchases a Grand Seiko, Ananta or Astron during the event. If you cannot attend, please call us to order and have the autograph arranged.

Seiko also will be demonstrating the significance of their own proprietary and in-house developed Spron alloy. Spron is utilized in the Grand Seiko series and is used for mainspring and hairspring. This custom alloy is known for its durability, shock resistance and anti-magnetic properties but has also proven to be one of the leading alloys in the industry. It is quite impressive how Seiko can manufacture near every aspect of Grand Seiko in house. Not only is Seiko one of the only true vertical manufactures in the industry, but they even manufacture the machines that manufacture watch parts, in house. Now, Seiko even provides hairspring and other parts to some of the most renowned Swiss companies.

Mr. Ito works at Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio in the Iwate Prefecture of Japan. In previous years, our Spring Drive watchmakers have been from the Takumi workshop, in the Nagano prefecture. The Shizuku-Ishi Watch Studio is a micro-artist studio, that is responsible for the high grade mechanical watches, such as the 9S85 Hi-Beat caliber. Back in the late 1930’s, Seiko split into 2 separate divisions, Seikosha and Daini Seikosha, which are now today know as SII and Seiko Epson. There has always been somewhat of a competition between the 2 divisions and today, thanks to Mr. Shinji Hattori (President of Seiko Corporation), the 2 factories now work together and produce some of the most incredible products on the market.

For this incredible event, AZ Fine Time will have complimentary food and drinks, and complimentary cigars provided by the Cigar King portion of our business. The cigar of the evening will be provided by Ashton cigars, which are a renowned for their high quality Dominican made cigars. Ashton has been the manufacture of choice for every Grand Seiko Roadshow we have hosted in the past. It is only appropriate to have such luxurious cigar, with such a luxurious brand like Grand Seiko.

For those in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, I have listed the details below.

Grand Seiko Roadshow

Friday, Dec. 7th from 2-8pm (MST)

AZ Fine Time

7830 E Gelding Dr Suite 100

Scottsdale AZ 85260

800-486-3996

If you cannot attend, we will have live feed of the event which you can watch HERE or HERE during the event. Be prepared for an amazing night and keep an eye out for a follow up with pictures, video, and a full report of how the event went.

Don’t forget, if you want to purchase a Grand Seiko, and want to have an autograph from one of few watchmakers talented enough to build a Hi-Beat movement, now’s the time!

Hope to see you there!