HK TRIP DECEMBER 2013

December 2013... School Holidays.

Family trip... destination? Hong Kong.

This is my 3rd time to HK and 2nd time in the past 3 years.

Place is getting really REALLY crowded.

Manage to take some pictures while strolling around.

Oriental Watch Company.
These are almost at every corner.

Models that are hard to come by locally is readily available there.
Huge market in HK.
The Tudor Black Bay.

Giant billboards are everywhere.
Emperor Watch and Jewellery... also another chain of stores that are almost at every corner.

Saw this at JLC boutique at Heritage 1881.
The JLC Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar in Stainless Steel.

Large selection of Audemars Piguet too.
The 40th Anniversary Royal Oak Jumbo.
Really love this one.
Hopefully I can own one in the future.

Plenty of Boutiques and ADs inside Harbour City.

Out and about town.

Feeling like a kid in the candy store.
Was looking forward to visiting the Zenith Boutique.
A small get together was organized with a local collector and 2 Malaysians that happen to be in HK.
Excellent conversations and friendly boutique staff.
Had a great time over a quick dinner and dessert.

HK is indeed a heaven for watch buyers.
There is no such thing as "No Stock"
If you have the money, they will have what you want. No joke.
Of course bargains are harder to come by since HK is mainly catering the China market... read "cash rich"
I got some bad experiences myself there but maybe it's just because they don't see me as a potential buyer.

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!!!

CANOPUS @ SUPERSTAR AQUARIUS

Got to visit Star Cruise's Superstar Aquarius recently.

Looks like they have a small watch shop on board.

Being a WIS, of course it's my duty to check it out... lol

The shop is called Canopus Watches and Jewellery.

It's located on Deck 12 of the Superstar Aquarius.

I am quite impressed with the Rolex availablity.
Prices are fixed and non negotiable... they are nice enough to tell me that the watches are tax free.... erm... which applies to the whole of Malaysia actually. :-)

Some Frank Muller watches on display...
Pretty high priced stuff.
Lucky casino punters might pick up one if luck is on their side.

Besides Frank Muller and Rolex, they also have Raymond Weil and Tissot watches.

They also carry some gold and silver bars.

Some jewellery.

Aimed squarely at the casino goers, business seems brisk.

Well, spending winnings is easy right?

TUDOR HERITAGE CHRONO BLUE REF: 70330B

First of all, this watch is not mine.

It belongs to a good friend.

How did it end up with me?

It was available at my local AD and since my friend wanted it, I just facilitated the purchase while my friend is at a faraway land doing his marine research to end world hunger :-)

With his permission, I was allowed to change around the straps and take some pictures.

Original stickers are kept intact.

The strap changes were done meticulously (with sweat trickling down my face) to make sure no microscratches were left behind.

It's not mine after all...

The Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue ref: 70330B

Sharp eyes would immediately noticed something.

Yes... it's the custom endlinks.

I bought a pair of these endlinks for my impending purchase of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay.

I am annoyed by the gaps on the lugs when mounted on leather strap. (I will leave this for another day)

Surprise surprise, it fits like a glove on the Heritage Chrono as well.

The watch is really stunning in person.

The colours all work together with some style.

I like the date placement at 6 and the bi-subdial layout.

It makes the watch really symmetrical.

I would have loved the a bigger date window but no big deal actually.
Comparing this and the Heritage Chrono Black/Grey, I would have to say this one is nicer.
The applied hour indices is more refined.
The chunkier hands look better too. My humble opinion of course.

Powered by a Dubuis Depraz piggybacked ETA 2892, Tudor still kept the crown and pushers aligned.

The case is wonderfully made.

I know it's difficult to talk about Tudors without mentioning Rolex, but really, the case is made with the same standards as the more expensive bigger brother which makes for a really impressive fit and finish.

Crown is knurled for easy handling.

Winding is smooth.

The Bi-directional 12 hour indicator turning bezel is also knurled in similar fashion like the crown.

The bezel is useful for keeping track of a different timezone.

Case size is at 42mm with a 13mm thickness.

But it wears really well due to the flat caseback.

I like it when watches have flat casebacks.

It's more comfortable to wear and it hugs the wrist more.

Now on to the bracelet.
This is the locking side.

This is the buckle side.

Noticed the white ball bearings?
Apparently those are ceramic. Cool.
They are also spring loaded.

This is where the buckle side meets the locking side.
Fits perfectly with no gaps.
Impressive.

Once double locked, you can see a Tudor shield there.
Good design.

The bracelet is all solid, held together by screw pins.

All brushed.

Feels solid, sturdy and well made.

I can't praise these new Tudor bracelets enough.

They really are made with the same standards as.... yeah yeah yeah... I know... like Rolex... but really... This will be appreciated when it's used day in day out.

The fabric strap that came with the watch is also very well made and comfortable.

I especially liked the buckle and keepers.

A customary wristshot of the watch on the fabric strap and custom endlinks.

I would love to wear this on bracelet but it wouldn't be right to size the bracelet as the watch is not mine.

After taking some time to inspect and scrutinize the watch, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed by what Tudor is doing.

Their watches are exceptionally well made and at their current asking price, I would have to say that they really offer alot... and I do mean ALOT of watch for the money.

Love or hate the fact that Tudor is and always will be Rolex's little brother... There is no denying the quality that Tudor puts on the table.

A big thank you to my friend for allowing me to mess around with his new watch... :-)

AN INTERESTING DAY

As usual on a Sunday, me and my family make our usual trip to a local Hypermall for a movie and window shopping.
A day like any other day.
So I made my way down to a telco centre to get my broadband line cancelled.
I was given a number and I took a seat.
What do you know?
Sitting right beside me is an uncle wearing a Zenith 38mm Tricolour.
Wow... I myself am wearing the Striking 10th!!
What a coincidence.
Until that time, I have never seen a 38mm Tricolour in the flesh.
Strike up a conversation with the uncle and it seems that he noticed what I was wearing too.
He is not your usual uncle, he is not buying blind.
He knows the significance behind the Tricolor dial, the brand, the movement and it's history which makes it even cooler.
An easy going guy and it's so comfortable to start a conversation with him.
We both took out our watches and exchange it for a closer look.
Midway, his number was called.
He just left his watch and and mine with me while he go about his business!! Without any fear that I might flee with it... lol

So I took the opportunity to take a few pictures.
Side by side with my Striking 10th.

Customary wristshot.
38mm is very wearable.

After he is finished with his business and my number got called.
He is still there waiting for me to finish my business...
A fellow WIS looking for company... lol
After I was finished, we talked some more and decided to visit the local AD.

And I saw this.
Newly arrived and still in the transport box.

The Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue.

A very beautiful and cool watch.
Have to see it to appreciate.
RRP at RM13,963.00

In the end, me and the uncle exchanged phone numbers and I am guessing there will be more meetups in the future.
A fruitful day indeed.

ZENITH EL PRIMERO STRIKING 10TH

Yes... this watch is a long time coming...
3 years in the making to be exact...
When this watch was announced back in 2010, I was ecstatic because it signify the rebirth of Zenith as a brand.
Helmed by Mr.Jean Frederic Dufour, Zenith slowly regained back it's groove so to speak.

For me, Zenith will always be a watch with the iconic tri colour dial.
Before this, there was a year 2009 release of the 40th Anniversary Zenith New Vintage 1969 with the tri colour dial but unfortunately, I am not feeling the angled tonneau case.
So when the Striking 10th was released on 2011, I was happy... But I held back.
I waited and see if there will be a sportier version at 42mm or a smaller dressier one at 40mm...
The sportier guise did come, but in a bigger cased Stratos which I find difficult to handle.
Felix Baumgartner certainly has no problem wearing it on his record breaking stratosphere jump.
Then came the historically accurate 38mm El Primero 36k vph.
Just too small for me in this day and age...
A year later, Zenith released the 42mm tri colour in the 36k vph collection.
Essentially the same watch as the Striking 10th but without the Striking 10th complication.
Then I waited again.
Quickly came El Primero Lightweight at 45mm... sigh...

After a full 3 years, instead of looking forward, I looked backwards and the Striking 10th sort of became more desirable.

And sure enough... I took the plunge.

1st off, I prefer my watch to be a little sporty.
Sporty dress or dressy sports, take your pick.
Which is why I immediately mounted a tougher looking strap on it.
Will talk about the OEM strap a little later on.
This is it... The Zenith El Primero Striking 10th.
Limited to 1969 pieces.
Ref: 03.2041.4052/69.c496

I am absolutely loving the iconic tri colour dial.
A combination of champagne, blue and grey subdials does wonders in today monochromatic watch designs.
Nothing like a little colour to spice things up without looking cheesy.
And of course, being iconic, this look is forever associated with Zenith and Zenith only.
I know some people are annoyed by the overlapping subdials.
Believe me, for this model... it doesn't matter.
Will explain why in awhile.

The outer rim of the subdials are finished by circular brushing while the inner circle is finished by engine turning.
Printing on the numbers and markers are crisp and clear.

The dial is silver sunburst.
Sometimes not so evident in pictures and also depending on lighting.
The El Primero font is no longer the elegant cursive font but just a regular blocky alphabets.
Love the applied Star and also the "1/10 of a second" in red.

Look at the 3 subdials.
Ain't them just awesome?
The minute totalizer subdial (grey) is overlapping both the running seconds subdial (champagne) and seconds totalizer subdial (blue)
The red central sweeping chronograph seconds hands makes one round in 10 seconds... this is a foudroyante complication.
Due to the fact that the El Primero movement is beating at 36,000 beats per hour (10 beats per second) it can accurately measure timing to a tenth of a second.
The outer rehaut of the dial is thus printed with the necessary markings to measure accuracy to the tenth of a second.

So, with one revolution of the central chronograph hands, the hands on the blue subdial will point at 10.
On the 2nd revolution, the hands on the blue subdial will point to the marker in between 10 and 30.
Following so far?

For the above picture, I have deliberately stopped the chronograph when the hands at the blue subdial have reach a position that is actually impossible to gauge the elapsed seconds.... but it is actually not needed, as the red central sweeping hands have already stopped at 3.5 seconds, and the only thing you have to measure is if the hands on the blue subdial have stopped BEYOND or BEFORE the halfway point between the 30 and 50 seconds marker, in this case, it is beyond the halfway point (above 40 seconds), which can only mean that the total elapsed seconds at 43.5 seconds (3.5 second reading from the red central seconds hand)
Easy... I hope you guys get what I mean... :-)
Since the minute totalizer is the dominant subdial with no overlapping, it's measurement is not hindered one bit.
Cool right?

Watch case measures 42mm.
The side profile of the case and the cut off lugs is historically accurate like the Zenith A386 of old... only upsized.
The sloping lugs does make the watch easier to wear than the size suggests.
Thickness is at 12.75mm as per Zenith spec sheet.
Sapphire crystal is raised and domed.

With the right strap, the shape just hugs the wrists snuggly.
The thin caseback helps in this regard.

Angled lugs or chamfered lugs, all the rage now.
Nicely done.

Crown is sized just enough for ease of use.
It's a non screwed down and signed with a five pointed star.
I would have liked it if it's just slightly bigger and a screwdown crown to increase the water resistance rating higher than the 100m.
Chronograph pushers are piston shaped and again, I would have liked it if it's slightly bigger.
That's just my preference though.

Movement powering this watch is the El Primero Caliber 4052.
Rotor is partly skeletonized and finishings like perlage on the bridges and geneva stripes on the rotor does make it look nicer.

Most people will tell you that the beauty of the El Primero movement is not in it's finishings, but the architecture.
And I can't agree more.
Wish that the column wheel on the right is blued to show some contrasts.
Due to the extra friction needed for the operation of the foudroyante, a double wheel is made with silicon.
That little blue (or is it purple) is certainly welcomed... and being relevant and practical in it's application is a plus.

The strap that came with the watch is this black alligator strap.
It originally came with a pin buckle and I switch it to this Zenith deployant that I have.

The strap is well made and my only gripe with it is that it is on the thin side.
About 3mm thick tappering even thinner going to the buckle and tail.
With that kind of thickness, the watch sort of felt like "head heavy"
I would wear the watch on this strap if I am attending a dinner and needing something more "dressier" but at the moment, I am wearing the watch on a daily basis so this strap just doesn't cut out for it.

I do appreciate that the back of the strap is rubber lined though.
It should last longer.
Lug measurement are also at a very odd 21mm, which means that ready made straps are not that widely available.

Because this is a long lusted piece, I have been wearing this for the past week... only this... all my other watches have taken a back seat and went into cold storage.
Personally, I think this is a great piece to have.
I initial dislike of the 42mm case size looks to be unfounded.
It fits really well on my 6.75inch wrist.
Even with the little gripes that I have with it, this overall package is still a win in my book.

FINAL PURCHASE OF 2013?

Finally pulled the trigger on a piece that meant alot to me.
Watch this space... comprehensive review coming soon... :-)

The watch....

Too obvious?