Bedat

Bedat & Co. New Number 2 Watch

Bedat & Co. is back with a bang for 2010 - sharply aimed at its old rival Cartier. The new models are the 2 and the 8 - and here is the No. 2. Different than the old number 2, it takes the concepts of a circle surrounded by two different oblong circles - with an oblong circle in the middle. The shapes are in gold, and perhaps steel as well. Covered in diamonds - true to the heritage and theme of the luxury brand. Men's models don't make a come back in America - at least not yet. The passion here is for women. Cartier is pulling product out of traditional watch and jewelry stores in favor of their own brand boutiques and website. Bedat & Co, under its new Malaysian ownership is making a serious, and highly calculated move to take back the US. The No. 2 watches have Swiss quartz movements, but other models have Swiss automatic mechanical movements as well. Finish on the watches is impressive, and as always, a Bedat & Co. watch is all about the design. Look for this and more Bedat & Co. pieces to be in about 65 US stores now - and of course throughout the world. Click on the "READ MORE" link below for some more images.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2, Bedat, no, number, watch

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RED8 Watches Are Here

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

New from Christian Bedat, formerly of watch maker Bedat & Co, comes RED8. The new watch concept that shakes things up a bit in the luxury watch world. The watch is a true sign of the times. Better priced that most luxury watches, it also revels in the fact that it is manufactured in Asia (designed "in the world"), and plays with these concepts in an interesting manner. This is while many other brands hide the fact that they have extensive manufacturing roots in Asia.

There are enough colors and styles of the watch to suit mother, father, and child - along with various "messages" around the bezel. The pictured four words being but one of a few options. Visit their site and suggest your own four word combo for the dial and you could win a free watch. Currently there are at least 11 styles of the RED8 watch to choose from.

At about 42mm wide (including the large red crown) the size is good enough for a man, and sized for the woman who likes a large watch. Funny how in black the timepiece appears very masculine, and then with pink tones the same design suddenly has a feminine quality to it. The strap is rubber and goes through the back of the case like a NATO strap. The case is in steel, and available in various PVD applied tones. Inside the watches uses an Epson I-Matic quartz movement with a rotor that charges a battery, so that it does not ever need a battery change. Many of you will know this same movement as a Seiko Kinetic.

Prices for the RED8 watch are $880 without shipping, you can see a full review with video of the RED8 watch here.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: bedat, red8, timepiece, watch

Bedat & Co. Watch Company Saved: Sold To Malaysian Firm

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

In January, rumblings from the watch industry were that Bedat & Co. was soon to close its doors. As such I reported the eminent closure of the watch company here. Owned by the Gucci group of brands, Bedat & Co. seemed to be another in a long line of economy afflicted watch makers.

News out of Milan yesterday reported that Bedat & Co. has apparently been saved from death. While the future of the brand is unclear (as well as the terms of the agreement), Bedat & Co. has been sold to Luxury Concepts Watches & Jewelry, a Malaysian based firm who apparently has what it takes to keep the brand up and running. I imagine they received it for a very fair price as it was 'be sold or die' for the luxury watch maker. Luxury Concepts is a luxury brand manager and retailer/distributor network with current presence in at least Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Their brand portfolio is impressive with niche brands such as Hermes, Romain Jerome, Hysek, Pierre DeRoche, along with several others. In addition, Luxury Concepts acted as a distributor and dealer for Bedat & Co. watches, so it makes sense that with their knowledge of the brand, they have the knowledge to keep the brand alive and thriving. Luxury Concepts will maintain operations for the brand and continue watch production.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Bedat, bought, Co, luxury concepts, luxuryconcepts, malaysian, number 7, Number7, sold, timepiece, watch

Watch Maker Bedat & Co. Allegedly Closing Shop

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

As a sign of the times, another watch company is buckling under the economic difficulties especially present in the luxury industry. Bedat & Co. which started in 1996 will close its doors and cease operations soon, according to multiple industry sources. The luxury watch maker had a number of interesting watches for both men and women, such as favorites like the No.3, No. 7, and No. 8.

Bedat & Co. was founded by Simone Bedat who branched off after being a business partner of Raymond Weil. The brand enjoyed healthy distribution in high-end watch retailers and department stores alike. While it isn't clear exactly why certain watch brands are suffering more than others, I speculate it has to do with the annual sales volume a brand needs to survive. Interestingly, Bedat & Co. was purchased by Gucci in 2000, which means that its closure might be a preemptive financial security measure taken by Gucci in anticipation of harder times ahead for the luxury group of brands.

At this time there is no specific date for Bedat & Co. to close up shop, or indication of whether it has filed for bankruptcy. Though, several sources indicate that we will be seeing the end of Bedat & Co. soon. It is a shame, and the worst part is that we never know what brand will kick the bucket next.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: bankruptcy, bedat, bedat co, BedatCo, closing, no. 3, No.3, timepeice, watch