LACK OF UPDATES

There have been a lack of updates since the School Holidays have just started and all time have been given to entertain my 2 little terrors.
And of course I have 1 incoming watch this month and to call it a year.
Watch is already here but unfortunately, can't be wearing it because the straps that I have ordered have not reached me yet...
The wait is almost unbearable... :-)
But stay tuned... I hope a to do a review soon...

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

Here's wishing fellow Malaysians a Happy Deepavali.
Enjoy the holidays :-)

ETUR ENDLINK AND CHEERGIANT CUSTOM STRAPS

Today, I am going to play around with some straps and endlinks.

1 Tudor Submariner Snowflake 94110 head.

2 Custom Cheergiant leather straps (Black and Chocolate Brown)
Brown one shown here. Black one is already partially mounted.

1 Pair of custom Etur Endlinks.

1 Original Tudor 9315 bracelet and a pair of 308B endlinks.

1 Pair of 20mm springbars.

1 Springbar removal tool.

This is a wristshot of the watch mounted on the original bracelet, endlinks and clasp. Standard way of wearing the watch. Perfect for Malaysia's hot and humid weather.

Next up is the Cheergiant straps.
Mr.George of Cheergiant Taiwan came highly recommended by a friend and he assured me he can make any strap at any configuration.
So, I thought why not?
E-mailed Mr.George which is a nice gentleman to deal with.
Told him what I want and provided him with the measurements.

 The end of the straps is made to measure specifically to fit the Rolex oyster fliplock clasp. It's easy to screw it up but Mr.George did an excellent job.

Once mounted, fits like a glove. How nice is that? Today I will only show the black strap mounted on. The brown strap is my spare :-)

Strap has been mounted on direct. Looks good?

Here's a wrist shot.

The clasp shot. Notice that the measurements are all correct as the clasp rest exactly in the middle. What a relief.
But wait... there's more.

The Etur endlinks.
I happen to know these on the TRF forum.
A gentleman registered as Etur custom made these for sale.
Cool... got a pair of my Rolex and Tudor Submariner.
Now these endlinks are specially machined to fit any Rolex cases that you want. Just let him know.
The pictures above show the machining to be precise and clean.

There aren't any screws or pressure points to keep the endlinks in place. Just slip it in... fits perfectly...

Winged area at the side to make sure it won't slip forward.

Mount the straps and the endlinks will stay in place.

Nice. No more gaps.

What do you guys think? Looks better now doesn't it?
I like it.

A wristshot. Definitely looked better.
I am so glad that the endlinks fit, the strap's measurements are spot on and everything works together as it should.

Just another way to wear the watch, gives it some variety.
I have just ordered more straps from Mr.George for my Seiko Dracula, PAM005 and I can't wait to get them and share them here as well.

AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK REF:15400

You know, in the journey of buying watches (I wouldn't say collecting since I limit myself to 5-7 watches max) most often or not, there was a plan.
In your mind, you know what will be your next acquisition.
The whole plan laid out. After this piece, then that one, then the hunt starts for that one and that's it. Complete. Stop. Happy camper.
Now it doesn't work like that. Life throws you curveballs, this is one of the curveballs I got.
After laying my eyes (and hands) on it during an impromptu visit to my local AD, I went thru a week of sleepless nights.
And in the end, I succumbed and pulled the trigger.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding ref: 15400.

The 1st time I strapped it on my wrist at the AD, I know this was it.
Everything just feels so right...
Announced this year at Basel 2012 as part of the 40th Anniversary Collection.
Not much have been changed over the last 40 years.
Case size have moved up slightly to 41mm.

Just look at that dial.
Sporting the iconic grande-tapisserie pattern.
Made the same way for 40 years.
Double hash as the 12 o'clock marker makes a return.
Trademark look of the Royal Oak collection is the octagonal Bezel with 8 exposed polished white gold hexagonal screws.

A close up shot of the dial reveals the more intricate details.
Notice the concentric grooves among the tapisserie?
Although the grooves are hard to see with the naked eye, but the reason for it being there is to lend a sunburst effect to the dial.
It is really beautiful.
It is a black dial but under different lighting condition, it can appear as charcoal grey, rusty brown or just jet black.

The AP logo is placed just under the double hash 12 o'clock marker.
Following Gerald Genta's design language, it carries an industrial flair, everything is pronounced and sharp. No curves. The design is dictated by 30, 45, 90 degree sharp angles.
Even the hands and markers is made up of sharp angles.

A welcome improvement (if I am allowed to call it an improvement) over the older model ref: 15300 is that now the date wheel is in the colour of the dial. So, mine came with a black date wheel.

Bracelet is integrated to the case.
See the 45 degree angle on the lugs? Sharp and pronounced.
Case thickness is 9.8mm which is pretty thin by today's standards considering watches are now going bigger and thicker.

The level of finishing is just top notch.
The interplay between polished and brushed surfaces especially when it comes into contact with sunlight is mesmerising.
One thing worth mentioning is that the brushed surfaces are are all uniform. All in the same direction.
And the brushing is unlike any other watch that I have seen.
Run your fingers across and you can actually feel it.

Another notable improvement over the previous model is the more robust clasp.

Thicker, feels sturdier and clicks firmer.

Clasp is nicely signed.
The bracelet construction reminds of a robot spine.
Starting width at the lug is 26mm tapering to 18mm at the clasp.
No micro adjustments but there are one-half links available for order from the local AD.
Not much of a problem as the links are all 5mm in size.
I did not find any difficulty getting the right fit.

Movement is the AP in-house caliber 3120.

This is also the movement used in the older ref: 15300 since 2005.

Movement itself is launched on the year 2003.

I believe any teething problems would have been rectified.

Movement beats at 21600 vph which is a little low by today's standards.

Power reserve is stated as 60 hours on a single barrel.

The rotor is a 22k monoblock solid gold hand engraved and decorated.

Beautiful piece of work.

Accuracy is well within COSC specs (movement is not COSC certified) running at +-2 seconds for over a week.

Rest it in the correct position overnight and I can even achieve spot on accuracy.

One thing I do not like though, is that during setting of time... when I push the crown back in, the minute hands "jump" which will cause the aligned hands moving out of position. Just a pet peeve of mine.

Singed hexagonal crown.

Screw down, water resistance rated at 50m.

Should be fine for some leisure swim and shower.

Annoying that the crown and AP logo did not align on the same plane as the case.

Lastly, a customary wristshot.

My ownership experience with this watch has all been positive.

There are some that I hope could be improved but hey, can't have em all can we?

But look at the bright side, I am now looking forward to something special on the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Oak.

AUTHORIZED DEALER OR BOUTIQUE?

Today, we have the choice of buying from an Authorized Dealer (Multi Brand) or a Boutique (Single Brand)

Now many brands have gone the Boutique only distribution channel. Personally I prefer buying from ADs as they are generally more lenient with the discount rates. The downside however, is that they do not have the complete range of a brand fully stocked, just a couple of pieces. If you see something you like from the catalogue, most likely scenario is that they will help you order it... which will take some time.

A single brand boutique however, should have the complete range in stock missing maybe a few high end limited edition models.

Discounts are scarce and sometimes even non existent.

But that being said, at times the lust of getting a piece that you really want outweighs the discount rates and whatnot.

That is a very personal choice.

I for one prefer to buy from AD. More choices, more variety.

Unless you are a diehard fan of a single brand, there is only so many pieces from a boutique you can buy in a year.

And also one of the perks is you get invited to AD sponsored events  like these.

Jointly organized by Cortina Watch Kota Kinabalu and Jaeger Le-Coultre @ Sunset Bar Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Beach Resort.

Always smiling staff and great food.

Entertainment for the night.

Local Tourism Minister Masidi Manjun is present. Wearing a JLC with a Moonphase if I am not mistaken.

Cortina Malaysia Boss Mr.Teh Soon Kheng and JLC Asia Pacific MD Mr.Alexis Delaporte presenting a few words.

Models proudly presenting the collection.

Some models in the display cabinet.

A candid shot of my usual Sales Agents for Cortina KK.
Left is Ms.Stella, right is Ms.Michelle.
The girl in the middle I have yet to know.