TUDOR BASEL 2013

I don't know what to expect from Tudor this year as the previous years releases have got people talking about the Tudor brand again.

With the momentum going for them, 2 models were announced.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue.

Paying homage to the vintage Ref 7169.

Tudor did a good job... it's almost a 1 to 1 copy.

Movement is an ETA 2892 with a chrono module.

The spec sheet does say that the chrono module also comes with a flyback function. Need to get this clarified.

UPDATE: Seems like the flyback function in Tudor term means reset... lol

The modern release is the Tudor Fastrider Black Shield.

Features a monobloc ceramic case and 2 dial combos... the khaki or red accented dial and hands.

Powered by the ETA 7753.

The Heritage line seems to be expanding nicely with some interesting releases year after year.

As for the modern release, after the Tudor Pelagos last year, it's tough trying to come up with something to top that... I think the Black Shield can hold it's own.

Excellent way for Tudor to go back into the US market.

ZENITH BASEL 2013

Zenith's official website have been updated as well.
And it's showing all the new models based on the Montre D'Aeronef Type 20 design.
All picture taken from the Zenith website.
I have covered these watches in my earlier post so no big surprises here.

The Annual Calendar.

The GMT.

The Tourbillon.

And my personal favourite... The 40mm sized Montre D'Aeronef Pilot powered by the Elite movement.

For the 1st time, the update at Zenith's website even provide us with the Recommended Retail Price.
Good move in my book.

Whoops, almost missed out this one.
The Stratos Rainbow Flyback.
I like this watch alot... if it's at a 42mm case size.
At 45.5mm, there's just not enough wrist to carry that kind of heft.
Too bad... I would have bought this in an instant if I could wear it.
According to the spec sheet, the case is not DLC steel or the previously used Black Alchron... but it says Titanium and Aluminium.
Interesting.

ROLEX BASEL 2013

The Rolex website have been updated and it shows the new offerings from Basel 2013.
Pictures taken from the Rolex Online Brochure.

All the excitement on Rolex's involvement in Formula 1 have most of the Daytona lovers all pumped up for a new model.
Is this it?
Hardly.
Cased in 950 Platinum Ref: 116506

Now I think this will sell really well.
Previously only available in precious metals, it's now available in stainless steel. Ref: 116680
44mm case size will surely rope in those lovers of big watches.

This one I believe will be a hot seller.
A facelift of the GMTIIc with a bi color ceramic bezel ref: 116710BLNR
Alot of people were hoping for a ceramic pepsi or coke GMTIIc...
Well, not all is lost.
Once thing for sure, bi color ceramic bezels are possible.

Exciting times ahead?

LONGINES LEGEND DIVER REISSUE

Finally the watch reached me.

This is the watch that I mentioned earlier slipping thru my fingers once, I still feel a tinge of regret and now... I got one.

Thanks to a friend that kept an eye for me.

Been a long time coming...

The Longines Legend Diver Reissue.

This is the version without the date as it is more closer to the vintage version of this watch.

This example is from year 2009 and carried the reference L3.674.4.56.2

Now I have 3 friends that own this watch as well.

One carries the reference L3.674.4.56.0

Two of them with reference L3.674.4.56.3

Now according to sources, the difference of the last digit is to show the change of suppliers for some parts.

It may mean more than that though.

I must give it to Longines as they really did things right for this reissue.

The dial is a carbon copy of the original.

Positions of the crowns as well.

Movement powering this watch is the ETA 2824... a well proven and reliable workhorse.

Macro shot of the logo reveals that there are some printing error on the left wing.

Can't notice this with the naked eye.

As a 42mm watch, small wristed fellows can easily wear this due to the nature of the lugs.

It slopes downwards.

The crowns stay faithful to the original as well with grid pattern etching.

Vintage look.

I like it alot.

Crown at the 2 o'clock position is to rotate the inner timing bezel.

Crown at the 4 o'clock position is for time setting.

A very nice caseback with engraving of a diver with a spear.

The pin buckle.
Notice the scratches?

Even worse is the original straps.

Started giving away.

Top sailcloth part started peeling away as well as the lining at the bottom.

Well, it is a 4 year old watch to be fair.
I must admit I paid more than I should for this watch based on the fact that the seller said that he will include 5 straps with the watch.
Unfortunately, it proved too too good to be true.
As all 5 straps is beyond usable.
The original plan was to sell some of the straps to offset the price I paid, well... lesson learned.
Always ask for detailed pictures of the front AND BACK of the strap... never ever take the sellers word for it.

After rotating this with my other watches, I must say this watch is really a joy to wear.

Its comfortable. Does not overpower the wrist.

Nice to look at.

Beautifully done dial.

I am just missing a good strap to go with this.

Once I get a good strap, it's gonna be even more awesome.

It is my opinion that this Longines Legend Diver offers spectacular value.

A true compressor case styled diver and a design that pays faithful homage to the original, all at an attractive price.

What more can I ask for?

AUDEMARS PIGUET 15400 CLASP PROBLEM UPDATE

As of today, my watch have been away for a little over 4 weeks now.
My AD have already informed me that the clasp problem have been rectified since last week.
Unfortunately, someone from my local AD need to be in Singapore AP Service Centre to pick it up as they do not send watches around.
As luck would have it, there is no scheduled trip for anyone from my local AD to Singapore anytime soon.
Weird... if no one is going over to Singapore, I guess my watch will just be "sitting" there?
Sigh.... The wait continues.

Update: After waiting another week. The watch is finally here for me to collect. The part of the clasp that fell off have been replaced. Just the missing part, not the whole clasp.
No charges since it is still under warranty.
Whole experience is OK except for the turnaround time but my AD assures me that the 6 weeks it took for my watch is considered very very fast.
Some brands require the customer to sign a form as acknowledgement as the turnaround time is a "minimum" of 12 weeks.
Well, overall I am happy. So that's that.

IWC MARK XVII REF: 3265-01

A couple of days ago, I have the honor of helping a friend to pick up an IWC Mark XVII.
I have got news that the watch have reached him safely and I had the chance to play around with the watch and also a chance to take some pictures prior to sending the watch over to him.

I must say that the finishing for Mark 17 is indeed surprising to me.
Case size have been upped to 41mm from the previous 39mm.
Feels just nice.

Dial is really clean and it's a breeze to tell the time.
I like the new altimeter styled date window.
Watch is powered by the IWC caliber 30110.
Alot of debate about it's "in-houseness"
No matter, winding the movement is smooth as butter.

I just love the bevelled angles on the lugs.
It's polished and it looks really good.
The contrast between brushed and polished is just nice enough for it to be a little more "dressy" as a pilot's watch.

A very nicely constructed pin buckle.
Feels sturdy. 
I personally would have liked if it come with a deployant.

Crown is big enough to facilitate easy operations.
Screw in type.
Nice and easy to handle.

Wristshot on my 6.75 inch wrist.
41mm size feels just right in this day and age.
After handling it and admiring it for a couple of hours, I have begun to understand the appreciation for this IWC Mark XVII.
It is a well made watch with finishings that are quite impressive for it's pricepoint.
If I am ever in the market for a Pilot, the Mark XVII will definitely be among those to consider.

EXCITED ABOUT A NEW INCOMING

Thanks to a friend who helped me kept an eye, finally got to pull a trigger on a piece that's constantly on my mind after I let it slip one time when I saw one brand new piece and decided to let a friend buy it as I was short on funds at that particular time.

Now this time, all the stars are aligned and I got to close a deal on the watch and it should be on it's way as I type.
Let's hope the watch reaches me in perfect order.

The watch?
Take a wild guess?
No prizes for getting it right though... lol