ZENITH X CORTINA EVENT @ SUNSET BAR SHANGRI LA TANJUNG ARU BEACH RESORT

An event was held recently to showcase Zenith's Basel 2015 collection and also a celebration of Zenith's 150 year history.
Organised by Zenith together with Cortina Watch, one of Zenith's Authorised Dealers here in Kota Kinabalu.

My watch of choice for the event...
One of my favourite... The Zenith El Primero Striking 10th.

Excellent setting for the night.
Cool sea breeze...
Excited to see the 2015 Novelties... so let's get started.

El Primero Chronomaster Night Vision with a ceramicised aluminium case on the left.
Zenith Pilot Type 20 Bronze on the left.

The new El Primero 36,000 VPH models.
Both black and white dial.
Clean... with overlapping subdials still but with a solution to reading the chronograph subdials accurately.

The El Primero Sport models.
Awesome look... not so awesome size... at 45mm... sigh...
A little smaller, I reckon it will give the Rolex Daytona a run for their money.

The all new Classics collection.
This one houses an El Primero movement.
I was hoping to see the 3 handed Elite 6150 version but it was not released yet according to Mr.Hugo Escude.
What's so interesting about the Elite Caliber 6150?
Well, it's a standard 3 hand movement with a double barrel setup providing 100 hours of power reserve... Not bad at all...

For the ladies, there is the Star Collection.
This particular dial has a hand painted flower over a mother of pearl base... Unique...

This model gave my wife butterflies in the stomach.
Nicknamed "Origami"
The dial is made to look like folded paper.
In real life, this piece looks beautiful.
With a retail price that is not too astronomical i might add.

This is the centrepiece... nuff said...

Breathtaking no?

Mr.Hugo Escude, Brand Director for the Asia Pacific region getting busy with the local media.
Nice chap to talk to. Highly passionate.

Overall, another great event, with great crowd and great watches.

JLC / CORTINA JAEGER LE COULTRE EVENT @ LA VINTAGE KOTA KINABALU

Another year have passed and I have managed to attend the Annual Jaeger Le Coultre Event hosted in conjuction with Cortina watches in Kota Kinabalu.

Venue of choice this time around is La Vintage Bar and Grill at Wisma Kinsabina.

Place is oozing with some vintage vibes.

JLC Themed desserts anyone?

A very healthy crowd.

Registration counter with girls handing out doorgifts and Time Werke JLC Magazine.

Entertainment for the night.

After a brief speech by Cortina Watch General Manager Mr.Jason Tham and Jaeger Le Coultre Asia Pacific Managing Director Mr.Alexis Delaporte, a video is shown explaining about the JLC Manufacture and also JLC's watchmaking values.

Models joined in soonafter wearing the 2013 Novelties.

My wife spotted something she liked in this cabinet.

It's the latest Reverso Ladies Duetto.
Full gold case... ouch... Diamond set bezel... double ouch...

Pink mother of pearl dial on one side.

One side in Sunburst Guilloche Arabic Numerals.
A very well made and stunning watch.
Retail price is at RM72,000
There is also a stainless steel version with a blue mother of pearl dial that retails for RM36,000

Some Tourbillions and Ultra thins in this cabinet.

Finally got to see the Tribute to Deepsea Alarm.
At one point I was lusting for it.
Unfortunately now my focus have shifted elsewhere.
Retails for RM42,000

Last years Novelty the Rendez Vous Collection is shown as well as the usual Reverso and Squadra models.
There was a Reverso Men Duetto that I got to try but still could not carry.
Something about the case shape just does not fit my wrists.
My wife seconded my opinion that it does not look good.

Fortunately there is always the Reverso Squadra that I absolutely adore.
Maybe one day.

There are 2 Novelties in this cabinet.

1st up is the Deep Sea Chronograph in Cermet (Ceramic in JLC term)
Absolutely top notch. Cermet feels light.
A surprise that the 44mm case size does not wear that big at all!

2nd one is one that caught my attention.
Dubbed the "game changer" and a "paradigm shift" in various watch publications and blogs.
It's the Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar shown here in Yellow Gold and White Gold.
Technical powerhouse and a very beautiful timepiece.
When one hears the perpetual calendar, one will be ready to pay at least a few hundred thousand ringgit for one.
This one?
The Yellow Gold model retails at RM94,000
The White Gold model retails at RM104,000
Some of you are asking what "game changing" traits this watch has?
Well, it comes in stainless steel as well!
The stainless steel model is reserved exclusively for the Boutiques only and retails in the region of RM60,000
Mind you that's a perpetual calendar we are talking about!
Having tried both the Yellow and White Gold models, I do find the Yellow gold model more attractive due to the off white dial giving the watch some character.
Both watches feel extremely comfortable on my wrist.

That's all.
I went home happy and felt sad in the morning.
Why?
My wife told me she started dreaming about the Reverso Duetto I was talking about earlier... dream on... :-)

Oh yeah... The door gift.

It's a powerbank.

All in all, a great event showcasing some excellent pieces from Jaeger Le Coultre.

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.