IWC INGENIEUR REF: 3228

A friend came down for a visit recently.

We met up over afternoon tea to have a good chat.

He was wearing an IWC Ingenieur while I was wearing my Rolex Oysterquartz.

When the session was over, we decided to exchange our timepieces for a couple of days...

So I went home with this.

The IWC Ingenieur ref: 3228.

This watch is in one word... awesome.

40mm case size, wears slightly bigger due to the integrated bracelet design.

White textured dial, gold hands and indices.

Behold the finely made textured dial.

How can one not like it?

The bracelet is solid and well made.

Comfortable to wear, easy and smart system for link sizing.

Only gripe? No micro adjustments.

In other words, either it fits... or it doesn't.

There is a half link though so at least there's some fitting choices.

Case profile is on the thicker side.

Crown is big enough for easy operation.

Sloping case shape makes it easier and more comfortable to wear.

Watch is powered by the IWC in-house manufactured caliber 80110.

Features the proprietary Pellaton winding system.

Handwinding the movement feels buttery smooth.

Love the way the movement fills up most of the display caseback.

There are just too many cases of small movements being housed in gigantic cases and this is not one of them.

After wearing it for a couple of days, I must say I am thoroughly impressed at this piece.

Compared to the newer 40mm Ingenieur watches which houses the caliber 30110 (ETA-2892 or Sellita 300) and also a flatter looking dial, this model is the one to buy if I am in the market for a 40mm Ingy... Although this one is not Antimagnetic (due to the sapphire caseback), I think it is an acceptable drawback due to the fact that this is a much nicer watch with a more premium movement.

Word has it that only 600-800 of these were produced.

Well, watch is now back with the owner and I do miss it.

If given the chance to purchase one and if I have the spare funds available, I would only say "where do you want the money deposited?" :-)

ROLEX DATEJUST OYSTERQUARTZ REF:17000

Being a mechanical watch aficionado, one can't help but simply be impressed by Quartz Technology in watch movements.

This technology almost brought the Swiss watch industry down on it's knees.

This piece that I recently acquired is an awesome quartz watch.

A piece that was said to be "overengineered" and "ahead of it's time"

It's the Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz Ref:17000.

The 1st noticeable feature of the Datejust Oysterquartz is that the case and bracelet is not like the usual run of the mill Datejust.

The angular case and integrated bracelet gives away a modern feel for a watch of this age.

The integrated oyster bracelet is well made and nicely finished.

It's finished in a higher level than the usual oyster bracelet imho.

Due to the integrated nature of the bracelet, the watch wears bigger than the 36mm size.

Watch have been worn on a regular basis but some of the sharp edges and beveled angles is still around.

This particular Oysterquartz of mine is a white dial with roman applied numerals.

Hands are without lume.

It plays well with the light reflections that even in low light, under certain conditions, the hands are still visible.

Personally, I would like a black dial.

Who knows? One might be available if I am patient enough.

A closer shot of the applied roman numerals.

One single line under the Rolex Crown on the erm... Crown...

Twinlock... Water resistance rated at 100m.

Movement powering this Oysterquartz is the Caliber 5035, a certified quartz chronometer.

The movement ticks at quite a high volume.

Sitting at the office with this watch when there's no one around and you can actually hear the ticks.

Checks online seems to suggest that the last known serial for the Oysterquartz is K (2001)... But guess what? This example of mine carries a Y (2002) serial.

After owning it for a couple of months, I do like the watch.

To me, it's the perfect "grab and go" watch.

It's also a piece that signify a change in the horology landscape.

Where cheap quartz watches flooded the market and some brand jumped on the bandwagon of the so called quartz revolution.

Some brands did not recover.

Those who did, came back stronger.

I personally would love for Rolex to release a more modern iteration of the Oysterquartz, reviving this awesome angular case and integrated bracelet.

It's a long shot I know but in the meantime, this Oysterquartz may very well keep me company while I dream away.

BELL & ROSS BR03-88 TYPE AVIATION

Must apologize for the lack of updates.

2014 is a turning out to be a pretty busy year.

Nevertheless, I am able to present a review of a piece that has been on loan to me by my kind brother in law since January.

It's the Bell & Ross BR03-88 Type Aviation.

To start things off, I must admit that I wasn't a fan of the square Bell & Ross "inspired by cockpit instrument" style watches.
They look like a fad, gaudy... more fashion than function.
Well, things have changed a fair bit after having it for 6 months.

Watch is powered by a swiss quartz caliber.
I believe it's similar to the one found on Breitling's Aerospace and also Victorinox's Swiss Army Classic XLS MT.
Dial is highly legible.
Monochromatic black and white theme is cool.
Case is 42mm DLC stainless steel.

Solid case back with the model number and relevant information engraved.
I apologize for the dirt and dust stuck in the engravings.
My brother in law told me he wore the watch almost daily for work.
He works in mining. So, I am impressed how the watch is holding up so far.

A very nicely made crown.
A multitude of functions is accessed using this crown alone.
GMT, Stop watch, Timer, Alarm and so on.
Truly multifunction.

Case is well made.
So far, I have not seen the DLC getting worn out.
Still as black as the day I got it on loan.
Design of the lugs make the watch easy and comfortable to wear.
Bezel is 60 clicks bi directional.

Dial Printing is crisp and clear.
The slightly modern numeral font makes the watch feel a little more modern compared to the other BR03.
I like it.

Watch is currently on a recently purchased Wotancraft strap.
Expensive, but well worth it.
Leather is supple and feels comfy.

Overall, I feel the watch is comfortable to wear.

I must say after this watch is worn on rotation with my other watches, it has become the "grab and go" watch.

It used to be my Panerai PAM000, but now it has been dethroned.

Reason being a quartz, I need not worry about the time being off.

The wrist presence is comparable to that of PAM.

(I am sure hardcore PAM fans might beg to differ but it's not the focus of the review)

The only con I can think of is the pricing.

This particular watch retails at RM13,300.00 which is kinda hefty for a quartz.

Good thing is one can usually be found on the secondary market for way less...

There is another version in non DLC stainless steel case.

Those go for RM11,600.00

I know... still abit too much...

But since I have this on loan from my brother in law... I will just enjoy it till the day I return it.

By that time, let's see if I am still itching for one.

MALAYSIA WATCH FORUM ANNUAL DINNER 2014

Our local WIS community the Malaysia Watch Forum organizes an Annual Dinner every year.

This is the 5th year running and I am honoured to be joining them. The crowd is a very healthy 40+ attendees.

We got to talk about everything, not just watches.

A very good get together and a good chance to put faces to the names that always contributed in the forums.

Pre-requisite is that everyone wears 2 watches... one on each wrist... (I brought 3... hehehe)

So, needless to say, watches are aplenty, did not manage to take a good pic of each and every piece though...

Here goes.

The Zenith Montre D'Aeronef Type 20 GMT.
At 48mm, side by side with an IWC Big Pilot.
Both can hold their own... but my personal preference is more towards the Zenith... :-)

A Richard Mille... surprisingly small.
Too expensive for me but happy to be able to see one in the flesh.

Malaysia Watch Forum's 1st project watch by VDB.
Only 15 pieces christened "Projek Gangsa"

A Rolex 5513 in excellent condition.
Liking this one very much but as all vintages go, it's a minefield out there.
I will stay a modernist for now.

A PAM422 in attendance.

Bell & Ross BR01-92 at 46mm.
Although it fits well, I would still prefer the 42mm ones.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Diver.
Awesome piece.

A member was kind enough to bring along some Grand Seiko watches at my request and provide me with a crash course.
Must admit that I am still too inexperience to appreciate the katana polishing.
In due time maybe.

A Lange & Sohne Perpetual Calendar in Platinum.
What more can I say?
Don't think I can ever afford one in my lifetime though... :-(

PAM389... a hefty piece of work.

A couple of Nomos in the house.
Value for money German Watches.

Finally, a table shot.

All in all, it's an excellent get together and kudos to the organisers.
Can't wait for next year!!
Feel like joining?
Hop over and register at malaysiawatchforum.com (it's free!) and be part of the WIS community.
Impromptu get togethers are organized every once in awhile.

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.