"Although I've never owned, or even fired a Kimber of any make or model, I get the impression that pretty is their claim to fame."
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I've never owned a Kimber handgun, but they changed the 1911 game for the better with their first generation 1911's. They came with all the updates like a beavertail grip safety and other features you used to have to pay someone to do to the stock pistol you bought, at a fair price. They had a very good reputation; I believe they used to purchase the rough forgings for the frame and slides from S&W.

I do have a Kimber of New York .22 rifle, I'd definitely buy another one. The Kimber of Oregon ones are prettier (not that the KoNY ones are ugly), but the quality overall of the KoO ones weren't as good since The Warnes were busier spending money than worrying about the functioning of their guns.