Classic Car Watches

Corvettes have been my favorite sports car for as long as I can remember. From the first time I saw their sleek and curvaceous body, I was in love. No other car’s design can hold a flame to a Corvette’s build, in my eyes. Any Chevrolet products I can get my hands on, that pertain to a Corvette, I collect. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out they were making watches, a true collector’s piece indeed.

I remember the vivid details like it was yesterday. It was my 18th birthday and I was just being to feel like an adult. As I opened all of my presents my mind was racing with anticipation as I hoped to find the Chevrolet watch I had asked for. My parents had saved the best for last; it was my final present to be opened. I tore through the wrapping paper to find a silver watch with a cherry-red Corvette on its face. Filled with excitement I put the watch on immediately, it hasn’t left my wrist since.

The Japanese Honda Motor Company is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and internal combustion engines, as well as the world’s second-largest Japanese automobile manufacturer. Its automobiles are known to be safe and easy to drive, making them ideal first cars for new drivers. Personally, many of my friends drove a Civic, Accord or CR-V in their first few years as licensed drivers, and my brother still drives a black Accord. Honda is also behind a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, which debuted in North American in 1986.

Many Honda owners are very fond of their cars, as they are safe and reliable. Forbes named five Honda vehicles in their list of the safest cars of 2009, including the Accort sedan and the Pilot. Honda has recently branded itself as safety-oriented, joining Volvo and Subaru with that comforting reputation. In this economy, that’s a smart move, as analysts say that car buyers are looking for safety over low cost. If you or someone you know is especially proud of their Honda, pick up a Honda clock as a birthday or housewarming gift. This automobile brand is certainly here to stay.

Two possessions say a lot about you: your car and your watch. From model to design, color to customizations, your car expresses your style and taste. You can drive your car simply to get around town, or you can dedicate hours to keeping it clean and shiny to show your love for fine vehicles. Similarly, your watch can be a simple, nondescript piece that’s only used to tell time, or it can be a prized reflection of one of your favorite hobbies.

Car watches provide both function and style. Everyone needs a watch, so why not choose one that reflects your love of cars? Whether you love Chryslers, Jeeps, Pontiacs or Toyotas, there are many watches that can proudly display the emblem of your favorite car. Your prized vehicle doesn’t have to be limited to the road; pick up a car watch today as a symbol of your automotive dedication.

The Chevrolet Corvette emblem is an easily recognizable symbol for sports-car lovers. Its two crossing flags – one checkered, one red – are iconic, but the original design was scrapped for an interesting reason. In the early 1950s, Chevrolet interior designer Robert Bartholomew designed the logo to feature one checkered flag and one American flag. However, Chevrolet management discovered that it was illegal to use our nation’s flag on a commercial product. The company had to do a last-minute redesign of the emblem before the Corvette prototype was first introduced to the public in January of 1953.

The result? The American flag was replaced with a red flag featuring the Chevrolet “bowtie” logo and a fleur-de-lis. The fleur-de-lis – a stylized design of a lily – is a symbol of France, honoring the French roots of the company’s name. This redesigned emblem has endured over the years, and can now be found on collectible items, like a Corvette watch or clock. The original emblem featuring the American flag is currently on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Pontiac Firebird was named as such in reference to the phoenix, a mythical bird that would die and be reborn from its own ashes. However, it seems that the Firebird, which was discontinued in 2002, will never be reborn again. Unlike the Chevrolet Malibu which made a triumphant return a few years back, it seems the Pontiac Firebird is doomed to be a mere memory of the past. GM is now on the verge of bankruptcy, and almost all indications are that the Pontiac division of GM will be dismantled and sold off. The Firebird was one of the most renowned muscle cars of all time, built to rival other muscle cars like the Camaro, Mustang, and Mercury Cougar. The Pontiac Firebird will still remain well known amongst car enthusiasts, but it’s disappointing to think the car will never return to mainstream production.

The future is fuel efficient engines and less pollution, and the Pontiac Firebird, while renowned for its appeal, doesn’t meet either of these criteria. It’s now a bit of a dinosaur, but every bit as fascinating as those creatures of the ancient world. Snatch up a Pontiac watch or clock now, as the brand is slated to disappear. 

Ford might be the last of the great American carmakers, as GM and Chrysler both file for bankruptcy. The reason Ford hasn’t fallen into bankruptcy is because the company saw the recession coming before it happened, and managed to secure its financial situation while other companies faltered. This doesn’t mean Ford is doing much better than GM or Chrysler in the stock market, but it is remaining afloat. Ford also has a few diamonds in the rough, like the Ford Focus, a small and fuel efficient car that has been available for quite a while. Ford also has the legendary Mustang still in the stable as well. While GM and Chrysler’s muscle and sports cars have gone down the drain, the Mustang has remained in demand amongst consumers. The legendary Mustang is one car that might never topple from its position at the top, being so popular that even collectibles like the Mustang watch, Mustang tin sign, and Mustang model car are still quite sought after by collectors.

GM and Chrysler could emerge from their bankruptcy as stronger carmakers, but it seems quite likely that at least one will fall, and Ford could capitalize by increasing their work force. Now, the company just needs to figure out what kinds of cars consumers want, and start making them.

While most of the other American auto manufacturers continue to struggle, and General Motors all but abandoning Saturn, many have to wonder about Saturn’s future.  Despite being a relatively small manufacturer of car, Saturn is renowned for their innovation.  Saturn cars tend to be a step above the competition, with dent resistant door panels, embedded GPS and navigation systems, and more standard features than other cars.  In addition, Saturn has been aggressive in their approach towards marketing to consumers, offering incentives like employee pricing, cash back bonuses, and even insurance for Saturn owners who lose their jobs.  Saturn appears to be weathering the economic recession quite well despite being at many of the same disadvantages as other American car manufacturers. 

You can display a Saturn clock with pride in your home, knowing that the spirit of American innovation and old fashioned values still exists. 

For several decades, Americans have enjoyed cars made by renowned automobile manufacturer Chrysler.  Chrysler was an industry pioneer, and many of its spinoff brands hold a special place in the history of automobiles.  In the 1980s, Chrysler came upon tough times, but recovered with the invention of the minivan.  The Dodge minivan was arguably the first, and captivated Americans for decades.  However, rising gas prices caused the minivan to fall out of popularity in the 2000’s, in addition, Chrysler failed to create a lot of other cars that Americans wanted to buy.  Chrysler lost sales to foreign auto manufacturers for years, and in 2009, they will file for bankruptcy.  While most predict Chrysler will emerge from their bankruptcy stronger than they were before, it’s still a question as to whether Chrysler can create a new line of cars that people want to buy. 

No matter what happens in the future, Chrysler will have a special spot in American history.  Chrysler collectibles like the Chrysler watch might soon become true collector’s items as the company that made the collectibles famous could disappear.

While GM and Chrysler struggle to lift themselves out of government debt and still retain a viable business model, Ford has weathered the recession quite well.  Ford, unlike the other two major American carmakers, is suffering, but not to the level of bankruptcy.  Ford has done some significant restructuring in order to remain viable in this recession, and while Ford isn’t making much more money than GM or Chrysler, their business is, for the moment, secure.  Ford was arguably the first carmaker in the world, and though Ford didn’t invent the car, the production line which allowed mass production of automobiles was their innovation. 

With GM and Chrysler on the verge of bankruptcy and disbandment, Ford seems like it could be the last American carmaker.  But the real question is, where American carmakers have failed in the last several years, can Ford turn it around to be competitive with foreign carmakers and return to its former glory.  Time will tell, but for now, it seems Ford’s future is secure.  Ford collectibles like a Ford watch might come to represent more than just the brand, but of America’s last hope to keep the premier car manufacturer in the nation that invented the process. 

With General Motors shares almost to the level of being considered penny stocks, it’s possible the situation has never been quite so dire for the industry titan.  GM has been providing Americans with reliable automobiles for almost a century, and without GM, the auto industry around the world wouldn’t have been the same.  The company is now poised to file for bankruptcy, though there is some hope that it will be able to convince the government of its viability and secure a new loan.  However, based on GM’s performance in the past few months, it doesn’t seem likely they will be able have all their ducks in a row before filing for bankruptcy.

The real question is, what will happen to GM after bankruptcy is declared?  Several companies have emerged from bankruptcy in the past, and while GM doubts that customers will want to purchase from an automaker who has declared bankruptcy, in the last year they’ve made some efforts to get back on track.  With electric cars and hybrid/electric cars on the horizon, and the recent success of vehicles like the Chevy Malibu, GM just might be around for the next century too.  But purchase your GMC watch, clocks, posters, models, and paraphernalia now, because these soon might become collector’s items!