AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK OFFSHORE SAFARI STRAP TO BRACELET CHANGE

Well, living in a hot and humid country like Malaysia, sweat is a common problem when wearing watches.

Personally, I am not a fan of watches on straps...

Sometimes it can't be helped with watches like Panerai... but for everything else, I would preferably pair it with a bracelet.

With the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Safari that I got, it only comes with a hornback alligator strap.

So, I need to get a bracelet for it.

If you guys are wondering, yes... the price is steep for a bracelet... enough to get a mid range luxury automatic watch...

1st things 1st... I will need flat head screwdriver, toothpicks, the bracelet and the watch itself.

Remove the screws in both sides with the flat head screwdriver.

After removing the screws from both sides, use the toothpick to push out the pin inside.

After pushing out the pin, this is what everything looks like.

A pin in the middle with 2 screws on either side keeping the pin in place.

I think this is a better way rather than using a whole screw pin.

Make sure you don't drop the screws or it'll be difficult to find if you have carpeted floors.

Aligned the bracelet properly and push back the pin.

After pushing the pin in, start tightening the screws back.

After finishing both sides.

Voila... watch is now on bracelet.

The watch on bracelet...

1st thing that strikes me is... damn the watch is heavy...

I mean the watch head is pretty heavy and chunky by itself.

With the bracelet? More so...

Feels totally different on the wrist.

Huge wrist presence.

Maybe I should try on rubber strap?

Let's see how the bracelet holds up.

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.

BELL & ROSS CALL OF DUTY 2015 EVENT @ PENANG

Recently I was fortunate enough to attend a Bell & Ross Call of Duty 2015 lunch event being jointly organized by the local distributor FJ Benjamin and Malaysia Watch Forum.

The event is being held at Farguhar Mansion in Penang.

Awesome setting, excellent food, even better company...

The Menu

After the meal, we were treated to some slick illusions by Mr.Zlwin... a Bell & Ross fan himself.

After that, FJ Benjamin's Mr.Tong took the stage to explain the 2015 collection.

All in all, it was a solid presentation.
There is something for everyone... and I do mean everyone...

After the presentation, most of us thought that was it... but turns out that they prepared most of the pieces for actual viewing...
Hooray!!!

My personal favourite from the lot...
The BR-03 Desert Type.
Very nice DLC case when most of the core models have been "upgraded" to ceramic cases.
I very much preferred the stainless steel DLC cases... more old school.

My 2nd favourite of the night.
The BR-S collection with a unique mother of pearl camo dial.
Hmmm... Tempting...
Time for a Pair watch with the missus maybe?

With Diamonds.

Upgraded ceramic cases.
Easy way to see if the case is ceramic?
If the dial does not have screws on them, they're ceramic.

Unique pieces made for the Singapore Pilots Association and The Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
Not for sale... naturally...

One of the heavyweights present was the BR-X1 in Carbon Forge'
Awesome watch with really nice details.

One more look at the Desert Type.
Notice the screws on the dial?
Stainless steel DLC case...

Feels really good on the wrist.

There were loads more watches on display but I did not photograph all of it.
I apologize for that.

Hopefully these are enough to whet your appetite.
Visit an AD and check them out...

A big thank you to FJ Benjamin, Mr.Tong, Mr. Leong and all the guys present at the event.
I had a blast...