Waldan International was established in 1979 with the concept of making the
highest quality watches with a classic, traditional look. Actually I was the
one that resuscitated the business 26 yrs ago. I realized that there are many
people interested in buying old chronographs. Alas, 95% of these were damaged
by the watch makers servicing them. Furthermore even the most famous watch
companies didn’t feature the sturdiest cases, they also featured plastic
crystals. These cheap crystals would cause discoloration of the dial.
I felt
I had to make a contribution to the industry by introducing movements of the
highest grade that are chronometer certified and screw down cases that would
weigh two and a half times more than the old cases.
About 10 yrs ago a lot
of people jumped into the watch business they produced cheap steel cases made
in Bangkok and finished in Switzerland. They use old names that had been dormant
for more than 100yrs.
As a result of modern technology, companies are making
the same movements in four different grades because they can feature the cheapest
material and eliminate completely quality control. The lowest quality chronograph
costs a fraction of the first grade chronometer certified. These companies
produce millions of these cheap watches, and with substantial advertising to
create a certain perception of quality. Subsequently these companies are bought
out by conglomerates, and each time it changes hands the price goes up dramatically.
Incidentally most of the old famous companies have been bought out as well
by conglomerates. Therefore we can never be sure of the quality. Unfortunately
these companies get away with this because there is no council that will certify
quality, except for the C.O.S.C..
My company has and shall continue to make
the best quality watches in Switzerland. We feature massive 18k gold cases
with contoured sapphire crystals that cost three times the price of regular
crystals. The dials we produce have 18k gold applied markers which cost at
least ten times as much as pressed markers.
Sincerely,
Oscar Waldan