BUSY BUSY BUSY

1st of all, apologies for not updating the blog in such a long time.

As usual, December is thick in the middle of the school holidays, so naturally... time will be spent with the kids and family.

Holidays, activities and etc.

After welcoming the year 2014, on January... I was lucky enough to attend our local Malaysia Watch Forum's Annual Dinner.

More than 40 of us WIS attended.

Needless to say, it was all alot of fun.

(will update on this event later)

Now, SIHH 2014 is happening and waves of new and updated watches were announced as well as new appointments to certain job positions within the horological circle.

(will update on this as well)

The new School term have started for about 3 weeks now and I finally felt that things have started to settle down amidst all the early chaos of rescheduling ballet classes, piano lessons, drum lessons and so on.

I am also been invited to act as a moderator (which I am honoured) on my local watch forum.

Feel free to drop by for a visit... registration is free.

Address is www.malaysiawatchforum.com

With the extra responsibilities, time spent on updating this blog will be even less.

So, I apologize in advance.

Do visit the forum as there are a wealth of information and enjoyable discussions going about.

Just when things started to slow down, preparations for the upcoming Chinese New Year is well underway.

So, here is wishing all the readers a Happy Chinese New Year.

Gong Xi Fa Cai and may the year of the horse bring you galloping towards wealth and better health and a treasure box full of watches!!!

GONG XI FA CAI

Apologies for the late wishes.

Here's a Happy Chinese New Year to everyone.

May the year of the Snake brings prosperity and good health.

Will be rotating between these 2 watches during Chinese New Year.

Was fortunate enough to meet with a fellow WIS from Penang as well.

Had some wonderful time with his family.

The Submariner 114060 is a newly acquired piece 2 days before Chinese New Year.

Will do a review after enough wrist time.

Enjoy the holidays folks!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing all the readers a Happy New Year.
Kid's will be starting school tomorrow so things will be back to my normal routine.
Looking forward to an exciting 2013!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Christmas wish to all the readers and their families.
May this year's Christmas be filled with warmth and joy.
And nope... no self bought watch as a Christmas present for myself this year... lol

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 :-)

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.

PRE-JUDGING WATCHES

I seem to get myself into uncharted territories nowadays.

Today, let's talk about pre-judging watches.

A term that my good friend shared with me.

I admit, in my journey, I have countless times pre-judge watches before I know them personally.

Be it the design, things I have heard about the people that have worn them, or things that I have personally experienced.

When I was in my early 20s... I despise Rolex watches.

Yes I do. I find them boring... overpriced... and most importantly pretentious.

People wearing Rolex watches seems to only want to send a message... that they've made it.

That they have arrived big time.

And being in my line of work, can't help it that another image of Rolex watches that are being portrayed is that they're liquid.

You need money? Any pawn shop will take it. Simple as that.

I have even posted on a few forums on my disdain of Rolex... and the repercussions were... well... understandable.

But then, someone which I have never met in my entire life, messaged me as he is coming down to town and wanted to meet up.

A fellow WIS. Cool, I thought... doesn't hurt to expand my circle of friends.

We talked at a local coffee house and he taught me alot about Rolex watches.

And it is him that I jumped in and bought my 1st one, a Rolex Polar Explorer II ref:16570... actually it was for my Dad.

And I was changed, I find them really well made and most importantly, reliable.

So, I ate my own words... no big deal.

We learn during the journey.

Now recently,

I hate Panerai watches. Yes I do.

I find that their watches are stale, big, bold and brash.

Just like their owners.

I have met people that called themselves "Ristis" or "Paneristis", which is an endearing term for something like a brotherhood of Panerai lovers... a very passionate bunch.

But the problem is, they adore Panerai so much that it is beyond criticism. Any criticism that you spot on any watch forum, and they will come in droves to support their brand.

Supporting a brand is the norm, it's like saying which carmaker is your favourite, but it doesn't make the other carmakers bad right?

But I have been ridiculed... yes... by Ristis no less... they said that at this day, no watches are worth collecting but Panerai.

Other watches are just a waste of time and money.

So, it is only natural that it adds to my hate for the brand.

It is also in this time that I met an ultra WIS... he taught me even more about Panerai watches and their history.

I was about 75% sold... his patience, knowledge and perspective of the brand really opened up my mind.

He owns over 10 Panerai watches, and still he does not consider himself a Risti. Why? Well, let's just say he knows the stigma of term "Risti"... Some owners just do not want to automatically be called a Risti just because he owns a Panerai watch.

After sharing his collection with me, suddenly I felt that Panerai watches ain't THAT bad... it's the portrayal of some hardcores that's making it LOOK bad. Pretty well built actually.

So, a friend of mine wanted to sell an old beaten up PAM005 and I decided what the hell, maybe it's time I got one.

And I did.

Again, the same thing happened to me.

I was voicing my disdain for Ristis (based on my own experiences) at local foras.

I even shared some nasty back and forth with a fellow Risti that he decided to send me a private messages asking what is bugging me?

Needless to say, he is a Risti of my local Malaysian chapter.

He is adamant that I joined in the local Risti scene.

Shared with me the passion and camaraderie.

It was good for a moment.

Until I decided to post at their "home" site what I thought was a legitimate question and concerns and I was labelled a "troll"... by a fellow Malaysian who decided that it is ok to do some selective reading to what I have previously posted.

Ouch... yes I was disappointed to say the least. But it's OK. I am used to eating my own words.

So now... back to my conundrum... I have a Panerai watch, but I am being cast into Pariah-zone...

Since the watch that I bought is an old beaten up watch that doesn't come with a nice leather strap (it was badly used), I am wearing it on OEM rubber strap.

I ordered some straps from some well known makers (I think) and I am just starting the Panerai journey and brotherhood.

And as fast as I am in... I am now out.

It really is a tough community to break into... one which I will not try again.

Now I am sitting at my office. Exact pose as the above picture... Deep in thought, thinking maybe this Panerai thing and me is just not meant to be.

But hey, I am used to eating my own words :-)

Point is there are ristis and there are RISTIS.

There are wis and there are WIS.

There are collectors and there are COLLECTORS.

Day after day, the line gets blurred, then everything is lumped altogether.

So, in your journey... I do hope you meet some hardcores every now and then, so that you will recognize the real deal and treasure it more.

I did.

WATCHES IN MOVIES

Since getting myself involved in watches, it is just natural that I will always sneak a peek what is on other people's wrist.
This does not only apply to real life people on the street.
It applies even on the silver screen, where fictional characters sport watches that are often or not made for the role.

Who can forget the Submariner Sean Connery wore on the James Bond movie?

Till this day, I think Bond or Connery if you like, remains the only person that can wear a diving watch, on nato strap... with a tuxedo... and still looks good... lol

Roger Moore when he was playing the super womanizer... sorry, I meant spy... :-)

 Timothy Dalton?

I was watching the Expendables 2 movie the other day and I must tell you that the Panerai Bronzo PAM 382 got so much screen time that it's almost ridiculous...
Word has it that every actor got 1 to wear and keep after the movie has completed shooting.
Mr.Bonatti must must be a very happy man to see his company's watches getting the exposure.

And what about Jeremy Renner's character in Bourne Legacy?
Proudly wearing the IWC Double chronograph Top Gun... and in one scene... telling the girl "I need my watch back!!"

What about the Chronoswiss Tora that Anthony Wong gave Tony Leong's character in Infernal Affairs?

The Rolex Air King that Edison Chen aimed for in Infernal Affairs 2?

The Panerai Submersible on Dwayne Johnson and JLC Navy Seals Diver on Paul Walker in Fast5?

Even Cameron Diaz wears a Rolex Submariner Date ref: 16610 in the movie Knight and Day and looks damn good.

Jeremy Renner in Mission Impossible 4? A Submariner Date as well.

And who can forget the scene in the movie Casino Royale where James Bond and Vesper Lynd was having a conversation on the train where Vesper asks Bond "Rolex?" and Bond answered "Omega"... well played Omega... well played.


The list goes on and on...

Later I will be watching Skyfall... and again I will be noticing what watch Bond is wearing, the villain, the Bond girl, the guy sitting next to me, the ticket usher, the guy sitting behind me, the girl selling the popcorn... well, you get the idea... it just comes naturally now... lol

All pics borrowed shamelessly from the internet and credit given to the original owners.

THE MEANING OF WATCH COLLECTING

If I have to pinpoint the start of my interest in watches, it has to be my 1st day in Primary School.
When I saw that my more well off friends sporting Swatch watches... damn... those are cool!!!
Immediately pestered my Dad to get me one... pestered him for months and finally he relented.

Brought me to a mall, I showed him which one I want... his answer was "Nope, too expensive... can't afford"
He picked for me what he thought was also a fashionable watch at that time.
A quartz powered Q&Q (A brand under Citizen) watch. I hope I have the pictures to show you guys what it looked like. But just can't find any. It costs a quarter of a Swatch watch.

Can't blame my Dad though... he wasn't doing that well back then... so I should be thankful I even HAVE a watch.
I grow to love the watch and it has been a good companion to me... through sweaty school days to rainy sports day... the watch never left my wrist... Eventually I outgrew the watch... it became too plasticky for me.

Long story short, it kickstarted my interest in watches. G-Shock was all the rage during Secondary School.
Can't afford them either.
So, I made a promise to myself, I told myself that I would make enough money to buy any watch I fancied... I do not want to be held down by "I can't afford it" (Still have not achieved that yet though :-P)

Some of you might ask... why watches?
For me, watches are universal... they fit anyone fat or thin, tall or short.
Watches do not pick the owner... the owner pick the watches.
Watch does not care if you are a size S or a XXL... it fits.
As long as you're comfortable wearing it... it's yours.
Same reason why I was into sneakers... (A cheaper alternative 2nd hobby)

Watches are romantic.
They evoke certain emotions within you.
Passion for watches is what makes this hobby interesting.
Making friends and meeting new people with the same passion.
Where we can talk watches for 6 hours in a cafe... and the subject is only watches!!

Watch collecting is very personal.
It means differently to different people.
Just make sure you're in it for the RIGHT reasons.