The watch branch is, at times, small. Very small. Nevertheless, it's not always easy even for branch insiders to take note of its intricate inter-connections. But sometimes it's not complicated at all. The Chrono24.com watch marketplace advertises on the watch page of Watchtime.net, which is run by the Ebner publishing company. At first glance, there seems nothing unusual in this combination. However, the inter-connections therein are much more complicated.

The "multi-talent" that is Joachim Berger is active as the "Sales Manager of Online Marketing“ at Chrono24.com as well as being active in the sales office at the "Ebner publishing company“. This can be observed in the Chrono24.com media data of 2011.

This is unsightly, above all for the Ebner publishing company with its Chronos and watch magazine print publications, publications which serious watch friends and collectors rely on. Because currently, a dubious watch trader is creating a dreadful state of affairs with the Hamburg LSU on the Chrono24.com platform, someone who Chrono24.com classify as a "Professional Seller" (correct as of 31st of October, 2011). Lawyer and columnist Michael Winter is currently investigating several cases in which Hamburg LSU customers have not received their watches in spite of pre-payment.

Suppliers like this damage not only one or two unfortunate customers; they discredit the whole branch. And still even more people stand to lose. On the dialo evaluation platform there are numerous entries (see http://www.dialo.de) which are already too evident. Chrono24.com themselves admit that deception attempts have occurred: "Unfortunately, lately it has come to our attention that deception attempts by unserious suppliers or prospective customers have occurred." Nevertheless, it is obvious that these are not only attempts!

Therefore one must ask Chrono24.com the uncomfortable question as to why this watch trader is still allowed to offer their watches in spite of so much evidence. The Ebner publishing company must also answer the question as to with whom they are working and on which side they really stand.

Update 31^st of October 2011

The Chrono24.com advertising on Watchtime.net is currently not available.