Caveman's Watch Forum

Seeking info/history on a couple of obscure brands. >>

Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date: Friday, 31 March 2006, at 1:33 a.m.

Namely Buren and Cornavin.

Kind of odd how I got onto these. I put up a Q&D web page for my wife's watches, and was astounded to find that, at final count, she's got nine watches! I thought it was four..

Anyway, she's got two mechanicals. You guessed it, a Buren and a Cornavin.

I googled, 'em, naturally, and turned up quite a bit on Buren. I know that they were named for the Swiss town of Buren, started in 1842, were bought by Hamilton in 1966, and were quite the innovators (witness the Intramatic).

However, I turned up precious little on Cornavin. I know they (apparently) started in Geneve, Switzerland, later there was some sort of Russian connection, and they made some spiffy alarm watches. But that's about it. Oh, and that we've got an icon for . Somebody here must got the skinny.

So, come on, tell me all about Cornavin!

-Ricky

Pam's collection

Messages In This Thread

Seeking info/history on a couple of obscure brands. >> (views: 87)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Friday, 31 March 2006, at 1:33 a.m.

I'm surprised Google didn't return this article, Ricky - I think it's infamous > (views: 19)
TakesALickin' -- Friday, 31 March 2006, at 3:09 a.m.
Cheers,  Jeff
Jessica's Cornavin Dolphin

Jeff! YOU are the Googlemeister! >> (views: 7)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Friday, 31 March 2006, at 11:06 a.m.

Think my problem was a case of "Garbage In, Garbage Out". Hey, I was beat last night.. not at my best. I did turn up several references to "Walt Odets' Cornavin article", but, oddly enough, not the story itself. In any case, what a Grrrr8! story! I do wish it offered an overview of the brand, and little history.. Ah well, can't have it all. Thanks so much for puttin' me on to a good read!

Pam's is, alas, not the same model. Though it's ironic that one should be called a 'Dolphin'.. I'll have more to say about Dolphins Real Soon.

It does share one trait with the subject of Mr. Odets' review, and that is that it's one tough little SOB! Have no idea how old it is, but it has obviously not led a sheltered life.. well, hell, see for yourself:

Pamela's 17-Jewel

See what I mean?! Yet it still runs like a champ!

Scans are so unforgiving.. it really doesn't look that bad to the naked eye. Hmmmm. perhaps I'll see if I can spruce it up a bit, as an homage to Jessica's Cornavin.

-Ricky

Oh, and I turned up this really oddball watch site.. >> (views: 28)
Ricky Lee McBroom -- Friday, 31 March 2006, at 1:41 a.m.

Apparently this bloke put up a web site detailing every watch that everyone in his entire family has ever owned! What a baroque thing to do. I love it!

-Ricky

Makszy family watches, by brand

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