Interview with Mitch Feig of Ocean7 Watch Co.

Witheach sale, we donate $100 to the organization "Freedom Is Not Free". Wehave also auctioned several watches with 100% of the proceeds going tothem. "Freedom Is Not Free" is non-political organization. They helpto support those wounded in battle, and the families of those who werekilled. This is not a profitable project for us. It is a labor of love.JS: Do you expect your prices to go up as the American dollar dropsin buying power and metals become more expensive? Bathys Hawaii hasraised their prices considerably in the past months; do you see Ocean7doing the same?MF: Our prices have gone up slightly, and I do expect future priceincreases. We did buy a lot of movements over the last year when theycould be found at reasonable market prices, and we also contracted formany of our new projects before the price increases took effect.The project is coming along very nicely, with delivery expectedthis summer. As much as I don’t like to take deposits, we did on thismodel because I didn’t think it would sell. I was wrong. JS: What can you tell us about your venture with AirNautic Watch Company?MF: AirNautic will specialize in 24-hour instrument/pilot watches,although we may offer a dive watch and a chronograph based on the24-hour theme next year. The plan is to go retail with the brand latenext year, but that is not firm. Rolland Keller, the original designerof the Yantar watches, is designing the new pieces.JS: Any special scoops for our readers?MF: Our ceramic watch, the LM-4, is in production, after working onthe project for two years.