Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Story behind 10 Greatest Names of Swiss Watch makers and their Logos

Every watch had a historical story behind on how they created their Watch and logo. My father once told me that I should not buy a Watch without a proper logo, Well, that that was a bit too extreme but somehow the Logo is really representing the spirit of the watch company and the book of history of the watch iself!  These are some of the Watches I like especially their Logos! They are beautiful as their watches are.

                                     This 1950 Rolex bubble back as a Beautiful Flat "Logo"
                                     It would be perfect if the watch size is larger 36mm
Rolex
As Some Chinese described Rolex as “Five pieces of Matches” (五支火柴)
in the 70s means the Crown Logo of the Rolex. In fact, the Rolex Logo of Crown was original design of a Palm indicating that the watch was hand crafted by hand. Gradually the palm was changing into a Shorter Crown in the 40s and then came up the modern design in the 60s and has been using till now.
And The Crown is now representing the Rolex Monarch of Super Swiss watch Manufacturing.

                                     A Retro Early Royal Oak with "AP" logo at 6 Oclock position
                                                       Watch designer: Gerald Genta
Audemars Piguet
Logo “AP” is adopting the name A and P from two Founders; Jules-Louis AudemarsEdward-Auguste Piguet.
AP always represent itself in High profile display of their watch, in 1972, AP launched the Royal Oak sport watch using Stainless steel as the material, a hexagonal crown design with exposed Screws to locking onto the base, unique, bold and beautiful. It was immediate being recognized as the most attractive design and it is Classic now after 40 years.


Blancpain still produces their watch in this tiny Farm House



                         A hostile and Arrogant Moonphase Expression
Blancpain 
1735, In VILLERET, Jehan-Jacques Blancpain decided to dedicate himself to watch making. He started by making watch parts then, later, complete fob watches.
Over the following centuries, members of the Blancpain family succeeded one another at the head of a highly prosperous company.
Blancpain has a Royal blood of making watch of Mechanical movement, Blancpain announces that there has not been any Quartz Watch made by the company and will not have any in future.
Blacnpain make circular watch case only so far I have seen, will there be any square or rectangular watch, I know not? May be in future
I love Blancpain because of the facial expression on the moonphase is so “Proud and Arrogant like” (好惡死) ...It seems that Blancpain wants to tell other watch makers, “ I am the best!’ Ha, I like Blancpain!
Once you buy a Blancpain, they will treat you like King, and no like ptehr watch maker, the Chairman uses to send you Xmas card and booklet every years at last I got it for the past 20 years.
What a good marketing and good Branding! 


                          A very beautiful Design from Corum, "Bridge"
Corum
Montres Corum SARL is the name of a Swiss watch and wristwatch parts manufacturer headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds Switzerland, an important industrial centre in the history of watchmaking.
Corum the firm as it exists today was founded in 1955 by uncle-and-nephew partners Gaston Ries and Rene Bannwart, who saw the advantage of marketing the line of handmade watches produced in their workshop to a wider market. 

In terms of industry standards and innovation, Corum’s hallmark watch is known as the Admiral’s Cup, introduced in 1960, which greatly advanced the technology of water resistant watches. In addition to the Admiral’s Cup, among the most popular models by Corum are Golden Bridge, Artisans, Bubble, Coin Watch and Golden Bridge..

In recent auction highlights, a fine and large limited edition curved skeletonized wristwatch signed Corum achieved a record price for this model of wristwatch, fetching $11,875 in December 2010 at the Important Watches sale at Christies, New York. Corum and the Admiral’s Cup watch remain industry competitors to this day, appearing regularly at auction worldwide. The symbol or logo of Corum watches is a turned key.
It state the anthem for mystery, a creation for beautiful watch, a key of beautiful time , and now it represents the success of Time.
                       This is a special SpeedMaster with a 18KT white gold bezel sold March 2012
Omega
The Omega watch company was founded in 1848 in Switzerland by 23-year-old Louis Brandt. He began creating his Omega watches by hand by painstakingly assembling each watch piece by piece.
Omega watches with its unique design and impeccable precision have provided the world several progressively advanced timepieces since 1885.

Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and it represents perfection and success in the attainment of a task. The Omega story began in 1848 at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, when its founder Louis Brandt at the age of 23 opened a comptoir d' tablissage, a sub-contracting sales office for watch manufacture. In 1880, due to the greater supply of manpower, communications and energy, Louis-Paul and Cesar Brandt moved into a small factory in the city of Bienne /Biel. With the introduction of their first series-produced calibers, Labrador and Gurzelen, in 1895 the watches achieved a precision of within 30 seconds a day.

Four years later, Louis Brandt & Fils became the largest producers of watches in Switzerland, with a production rate of 240,000 watches produced annually and employing 800 people. But this fact did not stop the exclusivity of the watches they produced: a clear example is the minute-repeating wristwatch, developed in 1892 in partnership with Audemars Piguet, and probably the first wristwatch of its kind. The famous Omega caliber became a brilliant market performer when it went into production in 1894. Its major points for salability were in its easily interchangeable parts, and its simplicity of construction.

The company's banker, Henri Rieckel, suggested the name "Omega" for the new watch. The overwhelming success of the "Omega" name led to it being adopted as the sole name for all the watches of the company from 1903.
The Most valuable and famous Model is likely Omega Speedmaster, it was created in 1957. After rigorous evaluation and testing, NASA decided to use the "Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph wristwatch in 1965 as its official timekeeper. In 1967, the one millionth chronometer was certified.

On 21st July 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong ( he died in 2012) became the first man to step on the moon. As he made the famous steps quoting "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", he was wearing his Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph. With this unique accomplishment came a unique nickname: the Moon Watch.
In April 1970 the Omega Speedmaster rescued the Apollo XIII mission from a potential disaster, earning Omega the "Snoopy Award", the highest distinction granted by NASA.
The Russian Space Agency also chose the Omega Speedmaster chronographs to accompany their astronauts.

Omega is now rated as the most popular watch in China, many famous leaders is wearing Omega, including our greatest Chariman Mo who's watch is Omega, which was a gift from Kwok Mui Yok. You can see 2 out of 10 Chinese visitor at Canton road is looking for Omega.

                 An Anchor recalls my time working onboard the M/V Vessels

Ulysse Nardin
Established In 1836, started business for Marintime Watch and Observatory Chronometers,  with Nardin pursuit of Watch Makring excellance, they had a invention of makin diamond Spring and Diamond Fork Escarpment.
So the logo of Anchor is representing Ulysse Nardin.
Over 50 countries Navy is appointing Nardin to make Astronomical watch for them.

                        An Elegant Slim Watch for you and me or her.

Jaeger-LeCoultre
The LeCoultre family settled in the Joux Valley in the 16th century, when Pierre LeCoultre fled from persecutions against the Protestants in France, and decided to settle there after spending some time in Geneva. Courageous and determined to be up to the challenge, he bought a piece of land in the Joux Valley as could be seen in a deed that he signed when acquiring the land that remained a landmark in the history of this region. He lived the rough life of a pioneer, land work and animal husbandry, hunting bear ad Wolf. Despite many obstacles and different events, the community started to grow. In 1612 the son of Pierre LeCoultre built a church that marked the settlement of the Sentier village.

The LeCoultre family worked for generations in the small family-run forge and this was where Antoine LeCoultre, genius inventor and founder of Jaeger-LeCoultre, tenth generation since Pierre LeCoultre, built up his knowledge in metallurgy, inventing with his father a new alloy, perfecting music box vibrating blades and setting the basis for the razor blade industry. His curiosity and will to combine his empirical knowledge to scientific culture soon made him turn towards the noblest art in mechanical arts: watchmaking.

At Jaeger-LeCoultre, inventions were part of the everyday program from the very beginning. The first LeCoultre workshop was created in 1833 when Antoine LeCoultre elaborated a technical achievement, a machine able to cut watch pinions, later adopted by all professionals, like all great discoveries of the House, contributing therefore to the world reputation of Swiss watchmaking.

Years went by, punctuated by multiple inventions such as the Millionomètre (1844), enabling the measurement of microns (thousandth of millimetre), the famous “remontoire à bascule” (1849), the first system able to replace the traditional key for winding and setting the time of a watch or the first complicated movement, pieces for which the manufacture earned the name of “Grande Maison”.

From 1860 to 1900, the manufacture created more than 350 different calibres. Half with complications: 99 repeaters, amongst which 66 minute repeaters, 128 chronographs and 33 calibres that gather in the same timepiece the chronograph and the minute repeater. From 1890, the manufacture presented its firsts Grande Complication, that is to say watches with three majors watchmaking complications: perpetual calendar, chronograph and minute repeater.

In 1903, Edmond Jaeger (1858 – 1922), Parisian watchmaker for the French navy, challenged the Swiss to manufacture ultra-thin calibres. The manufacture’s creator grandson, Jacques-David LeCoultre (1875 – 1948), in charge of manufacturing at LeCoultre & Cie at that time, accepted the challenge. This collaboration, and then friendship with Edmond Jaeger was to give birth to one of the most extraordinary ultra-thin watch collections in the world, with the LeCoultre Calibre 145 (1.38mm thick). This would be followed by pioneering wristwatches that would lead in 1937 to the creation of the Jaeger-LeCoultre House.

From the beginning of the wristwatch, Jaeger-LeCoultre offered many models that quickly attracted the public, and that would later become great classics, passing through decades with reinterpretations coming from the inexhaustible creativity of master watchmakers, as well as the fruitful inventiveness of other artists – enamellers, engravers etc. – working for the “Grande Maison”.

The first was Duoplan that paved the way to the smallest movement in the world, Calibre 101. Born in 1925, Duoplan, was invented to solve the issue of wristwatch precision. Its tiny dimensions compared to pocket watches meant having much smaller balances that lacked precision. The Duoplan movement is built in two “floors”. Therefore, the balance volume is much more important, enabling the watch to be very reliable and precise when measuring time. The watch also provided a unique after-sales service by Lloyd’s in London: every single damaged movement was replaced in a few minutes. The London retailer Tyme proudly stated: “Your watch will be repaired in less time than you need to finish your cigarette!”

In 1929, the most important version of the Duoplan movements’ family, Calibre 101, broke the record of the smallest mechanical movement in the world. Today, with its 98 components (in 1929, there were 74), 14mm length, 4.8mm width and 3.4mm thickness and a weight of hardly 1 gram, this world record is still the reference 83 years later!

The famous clock Atmos is as eternal as it is historic. Invented in 1928 by Jean-Léon Reutter from Neuchâtel, Atmos represents for science one of the rare objects that came close to the old dream of perpetual movement. The complete knowledge of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s watchmakers will be necessary to go from prototype to the Haute Horlogerie clock. Atmos takes its energy from the slightest changes in temperature. A one degree fluctuation is enough to keep it going for two days! It consumes 60 million times less energy than a 15 W bulb! This cult object has remained until today the official gift of the Swiss Confederation for more than half a century.
It is during this golden era of the manufacture, and more specifically in 1931, that Reverso, the iconic watch par excellence of Jaeger-LeCoultre was also introduced. For Reverso, the original idea came from César de Trey, who during a business trip to India, took up the challenge of creating a watch able to withstand the shocks during a polo game. Back in Switzerland, de Trey entrusted the project to Jacques-David LeCoultre, who created Reverso, whose name is inspired by the Latin “I turn over”. A simple gesture makes it possible to swivel the case on its brancard to protect the watch glass. The back of the Reverso was to be available for any personalisation by all means of the art of watchmaking, and the collection continued for decades to celebrate today, younger than ever, its greatest success, both commercial as well as artistic.
Jaeger LeCoultre is named with two major founder and Contributor Pierre LeCoultre and Edmond Jaeger,

                        An unique layout on the dials, beautifuly Balance.

A Lange & Söhne
An non-Swiss blood hi end watch maker, it was originated in Eastern Germany in a small town called Glashütte (Glass house)
It was once disappeared due to the isolation of Easter block of German, and Rejuvenated after the German unification in 1989.
A High Quality watch maker who can match in par with the Swiss monarch of watch manufacture.
                      Oversea is one of the best design sport watch from Vacheron Constantin
                                                     Designed by Gerald Genta
Vacheron Constantin
In 80s, Chinese called this watch 勞詩丹頓!
In 1775, Downtown in Geneva, Switzerland, a guy named Jean-Marc Vacheron opened up a workshop, which turned out to be first watch manufacturer in world, In 1819, the businessman Francois Constantine joined it, and his talented art for brand promotion made Vacheron Constantin become the only watch brand out of Geneva, which also the first one. Seize the Moment!! It Is Typical for You to Choose Catching mother of bride dresses His famous sayings that [do everything in your power and the hope for you will be endless” and let the products speak instead of the sale” are still Constantin`s insisting operating logos today.
Quality: Permanent brand wisdom.

In the year 1880, Constantin officially register the title of honor “Maltese cross” as the company`s trademark. “Maltese Cross” can prevent the blocking of shock absorbers caused by irregular movements, then maintaining its accuracy and improving the operation roles of clock mechanism. Constantin uses it as its brand totem, representing its product logos which seek for greater perfection. At present, it is undoubted that Vacheron-constantin is the technical benchmark in global watch industry, and its full-handwork makes the delicate brand perfectly construe its personality.

                              
                      Another beautiful watch design "Nautilus" since 1976 till now created by Gerald Genta

Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe unique “Calatrava Cross Star” flag originated in a story back to year of 1185, Spain called Calatrava city by the Moorish invasion, the courageous priest Raymond and Knight Bendigo – Belas Case led a people desperate war of resistance, and final Moorish drive away. The Calatrava doji is a knight’s sword and the priest doji combination. Thus, the doji and sword together have become a symbol of solemn and bravery.
One hundred reached Fei Lai’s founder Anthony – Pictet and Jane – Fei Lai think this cross as a symbol of the significance and their cooperation in the spirit of a very fit, so they decided from 1875, “Calatrava Cross Star” as Pictet Patek Philippe brand’s logo.
HK Snob

PS
Late but till meaningful as I got the Christmas card from Blancpain Today!
See that little farm house factory.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Nicholas Tse, the Embassador of Oris, the RED Rotor Watch



Taken By Samsung Note II at Ocean Terminal TST 23 Dec, 2012

Nicholas Tse 謝霆鋒 was born in Hong Kong on 29 August 1980, he is the son of actor Patrick Tse (謝賢) and actress Deborah Lee (狄波拉). Being 32, he has been actively involved in Singing before till 10 years ago, focused on filming. He is now embassador of Oris.
Over 100 years Oris has been making watches in Switzerland. Their watches are purely mechanical and are marked out by their distinctive design as well as the red rotor, the symbol of Oris mechanicals. Oris watches are also popular, as celebrities from Formula One, diving, jazz, aviation, and Hollywood stars.
HK Snob

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Patek Philippe Ref, 3449-G1 Perpetual Calendar Automatic Gold watch


Patek Philippe 3449-G1
Patek Philippe. An extremely rare, attractive and very important 18K gold manually-wound perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve,  manufactured in 1961.


Cal. 23-300 Q nickel-finished lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 18 jewels, Gyromax balance, silvered matte dial, applied gold dot and baton indexes, windows for day and month, subsidiary dial for moon phases and date, circular case, stepped bezel, snap on back, stepped sides, straight angled lugs, 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed37 mm. diam.

Known to have just three pieces on Earth.
One in Patek Philippe Museum, one in HK as there was no customer wanted to buy at Lam Yuen Fung, the sole agent of Patek Philippe in the 60s’ the watch was retained by Lam Yuen Fung and it was shown on Asia TV series "把酒當歌"on 21 Dec 2012.

The other One was known to be sold at Christie with ($1,589,632) on 14 Nov 2011.
This watch is estimated to be at least worth HKD$15,000,000 if it is asked for auction now I guess.

HK Snob

Rolex Ref 18039 Day Date White Gold with Oak Dial


The one on left is birch dial and the one on right is Oak, not the same


 

We had a Hi tea watch gathering in TST on 22 Dec Sat, at a Cha Tsann Taang we used to go and two of my best old buddy watch collectors showed up with his watch, one is wearing PP and other is carrying a Rolex DD 36mm with Oak Dial of chocolate brown colour. That is a rare one especially in White Gold!

Friend of mine is asking me for HKD$85,000!
On the left is Patek Philippe Model 5035R Pink Gold calendar Date Automatic with 24 hour indication, I know the them for more than 20 years, he is a Collector of Patek Philippe and Rolex.
The one on Right is mine... That I used to wear in these days.

HK Snob


 

Philippines President's Choice for Watch... Breguet


Yesterday's ( 21 Dec) Enquirer showed the watch that Philippines President Aquino  wearing is a Breguet type XXI flyback chronometer 42mm if I am not wrong. The watch is about USD$12,000
HK Snob

Amy and her two friends bought five Rolex in Two days


These are the three watches Amy and her two freinds bought for one of my friend's Rolex AD,
I am sure they are all happy to get a Xmas' Special Discount... And thanks for allowing me to post her memorial picture. Hope that everyoine has a good memory about HK and wish the Rolex Would bring them Luck all days over the years. Two of them is Ref, 116400 Milgauss Black Dial. The one in the bottom is Ref 116034 with Diamond!
Hi Amy, keep in Touch!
I just know that Amy's father and sister was aware of that deal and they went to buy another two more Rolex.... Well, Amy, I hope everyone one HK could afford to buy Rolex like buying pizza, and this would definitely makes HK's GPD raise for another 0.1 %. Thanks for your pictures.

HK Snob

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

SIHH 2013




SIHH 2013, Jan 21-25 Jan 2013

Since the first SIHH in 1991, The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) was created to promote Fine Watches and to offer a privileged setting for an elite clientele. There were 5 Exhibitors in 1991;  Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Piaget, Gérald Genta, Daniel Roth.

After 20 years, we will have 19 Exhibitors: A Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & merciers, Cartier, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vancleef & Arpels, Varcheron Constantin.
Amongst them, Cartier has a preview on her Cartier Rotonde Panthere Granulation Special Edition Limited to 20 pieces.

The case, in 18kt yellow gold, measures 42mm. It has 306 diamonds on the bezel and case. The dial is 22kt gold, granulated tiny balls set by hand. It features double sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Cartier caliber 9601MC (Jaeger-LeCoultre).

The strap is alligator with an 18kt yellow gold deployant with 43 diamonds.  30 meters Water Resistant.

This is a very beautiful piece of Cartier Masterpiece!!

HK Snob

Friday, December 14, 2012

Common Questions on Rolex Purchase in HK

After years of exchange over 1,500 comments I Can get an understanding of most of the queries about Buying Rolex in HK.

Q. Can we use Credit card, and Can I get more discount if I use cash?
A. Basically, there is no extra discount by paying cash, and we can use VISA MASTER Charge, American Express, China 銀聯 card, but Diners Club is not preferred.

Q. Could we get a Fake Rolex in Rolex Authorized Dealer?
A. In so far we have not heard of in my understanding over at least the past 5 years.
I believe buying Rolex in Hong Kong Rolex AD is very trustworthy.

Q. What is the discount we can get from Rolex AD?
A. By right, we can have less 5% discount across  all product at Rolex AD,
Except Daytona Stainless steel black dial, selling between HKD$94,000 to HK$97,000 net,
a Submariner Ref, 116610LV and 16610LV which is so hard to get.
And price is about HKD$66,100 for Ref, 116610LV . 
Even ref, 116610LN black now stock is limited in the Rolex AD. Sometimes we had to wait for weeks.
Q. Do Some people really get more discount? Is that Allowed?
A. Yes, some of the VIP or frequent buyers get higher discount.
For example they can get less 10-14% for all Date Just, Day Date model
They can get 8% to 12% for GMT master II, Submariner model.
I think this is not recommended by Rolex, but imagine that some big buyers could buy 100 Rolex in one yer as gift,  and some collector buys also those weird watch that no one wants, do they also get less 5% only!? This is business world that we have to accept it.

Q. What is the price of grey Dealer?
A.The price of grey dealer is cheaper.
For example Explorer II is less 12%-13%
For Black dial HKD$53,000 no box
For White Dial HKD$51,500 no box
If you want box, add another HKD$500.
So there is still a better deal if you go for Grey Dealer.
Daytona Black is HKD$93,000 no box, which is HKD$3,000 cheaper than buying from Rolex AD. Whether it is worth not going to Rolex because of HKD$3,000 is another matter!

Q. Is there any risk in buying grey deal Rolex?
A. All depends how much you know about the sources of the Grey Dealer, for most of the cases is OK. Of course sometimes you have face foe the risk for buying something much Cheaper.

Q. What we should note when we buy Rolex at Rolex AD?
A. Note that the Company name on the warranty card should be same as the one on the invoice.
The Country code should be 888, or 400 that indicates Hong Kong.
The watch is fully packed and sealed with protective tapes.
There is a Rolex Red Chronometer Seal.
Instruction manual and international warranty certificate.
The right Box for your watch.

Q. It is cheaper to buy in HK than in other country?
A. As far as I know, HK still considered one of the best place to buy Rolex for the variety of choice we have, and the prices we are amongst the cheapest in the world, except someplace in Europe like Austria and Dubai that I heard that they are even cheaper by 5-10% but that appears on certain model like Daytona!
On the other side, HK is Cheaper than Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Is Price in HK same as in Macao?
Yes, there is no difference in price between HK and Macao.

Q. Is Price of HK lower than that of China?
A. I think so as I have a lot overseas people station in China come to buy Rolex in HK. Partly HK has more choice for style and Model and price is more attractive.
As for Model like 178344, Hong Kong has all the variety, Diamond at the VI index, MOP (mother of pearl) oyster or Jubilee Strap both available.

Q. Do HK have GST. VAT tax on watch?
A. HK does not impose any sales tax on watch nor other commodities yet.

Q. What Do I learn for living? Do I have any commision with the watch shop I recommend?
A. I am a Marketing Manager for Semiconductor manufacturing Equipment Supplier. I do not have any commision from the watch shops I recommend for people to buy. And some of them even do not know me! As for Rolex AD, those are my friends working there and this is what friends are for, help them to make more sales.
HK Snob

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Rolex Day Date of fancy colour as some of the rich man toys



The Collection of one of the HK Rolex Collectors 

This is one of the many boxes of one of the HK Rolex Serious Collectors, he is really a kind of man that would like to pursuit of good stuff as his new toys, he can buy two Vintage Rolex a Day, where I am still scratching my head and checking my bank account for the one I love,, and next day someone told me ; Sorry, that Rolex was sold!
Of course I am just a trivial nothing at all in terms of number of collection or amount of collection.

There are a lot of people who has over 500 Submariners  and there are some people who has over 1,000 Rolex , that is a class of Collector, and I am not.

I spend wisely as mainly I have little budget.  As beside Watch, I collect Pen, Vinyl, Tubes and lovely little men accessories like Cuff link and tie clip of the olden times,
I am a blogger which I find fun and friends, I study about Rolex and I find that I know nothing about Rolex, but that is the Fun!

When you are young, and when you are affordable, try to buy something you like and that would not cause you too much… what is that, not a Car, not a branded cloth nor shoes from Italy, it about a piece of good watch like Rolex that you can use it, abuse it, dip it into water casually whilst washing hands, and tiny Scratches as good memories as you do up mountain climbing, but do not worry, it wouldn’t lose it glory as it is a Rolex.

HK Snob

Early Merry Christmas Greeting

This is a message sent from HK Snob to all Watchers, Watch lovers, watch collectors and watch dealer.

I wrote it by using a 1972 Montblance masterprice 82 fountain pen.

The original message was created by John Greenleaf Whittier.

HK Snob

Aftermath, Thanks for CaCa to remind me that I missed the dot on the i, well, it used to miss one dot and other, that is my style,  am I trying to defend? Well, Thanks Caca!


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Rolex Submariner Ref, 16800 for sale





It seems that the non-date 5513 is more expensive to buy. A 16800 is the less expensive to for Snobs to consider!

 In the early 1980's the Ref. 1680 was the first fitted with a synthetic sapphire crystal and the caliber 3035 movement and renumbered as Ref. 16800.

The early version of the Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 16800 is considered transitional since the model still carried the matt dial but was now rated to 300 meters (1,000 feet) and equipped with the new movement.

It is a great watch to buy, an all round watch to wear with a taste of Classic. Note the Great Colour of the Index!! 

Now I have one asking only at HKD$39,000. Complete with all originals dial, parts, movement, crowns strap, and an extra thick cowhide strap for our special day!

HK Snob

PS, the watch was sold on 4 Jan 2013

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Roger Debuis Much More 18KT Solid Rose Gold Perpetual Calendar on Sale






This is a Watch movement made in 2003, and put into the massive case on end 2007, It is so serious to make such watch for 5 years, may be there were designing the proper case. Then it was sold in 2008. It comes with complete original packing and Box and Waranty Certificates, leather folder. I had sent this watch to Roger Debuis Manufacture Geneve last summer for Cleaning. And I was returned with a total touch up on the cases and everything I can see through my naked eyes.
It became newly revived RD Much More.
And it came with a one-year waranty letter, signed by Roger Debuis manager such that I could feel little bit better to pay HKD$18,000 for that cleaning and health check.

Siince then the watch was left idle for may be once a month or two, I put in on Winder to push him to do some jogging!

It is super accurate, you do not see any singificant time changes when you use it on your wrist.
Now it is for sale, or trade for Rolex DD, Or Submariner, asking HKD$168,168 if you want to buy it.

Note that it weight about 155 grams, it is massive and good looking, the huge dome crystal is very difficult to polish, and the bottom sapphire is also convexl, it is very hard to be polished for the right curvature fitting the case. The movement was stamped with Geneva Seal.

The Salmon Colur Dial is an outstanding attaction, It is a low profile watch with a Huge High profile body!

It is limted into 28 pieces, and Bill Clinton and Nichlas Cage has one each, so besides you, there are only 25 more people who could possibly possess this Time peice, a masterpiece from Roger Debuis.

HK Snob

Monday, December 3, 2012

Rolex Ref 18038 18 KT Yellow Gold Day Date with Birch Dial for Sale



Ref 18038 is the most adorable Rolex Day Date as it has been made with many fantastic colour and material for the dial.
This 38mm Day Date shown here has a birch dial; every dial is unique and no one has the same pattern. This is one the the beautiful colour. the pattern is evenly distributed across the whole surface, it is very sharp and it is rare for new Rolex watch to have this dial any more. The only way is go for the pre-owned Day Date.
One of the A must Dial for Rolex Day Date Collection, private offer for just HKD$44,000 only.
The Day dial was printed in Spainish!
HK Snob

This Yellow Gold DD with Birch dial was sold on 2 Jan 2013

Rolex Date Just Ref, 16018 18KT Solid gold for Sale



This is a like new Rolex DJ 18KT solid gold men's watch 38mm Ref 16018 with a Onyx dial which is rare for new Rolex watch now as the cost is high to make a Onyx dial now! It can last forever, this is really a perpetual dial for a Perpetual Rolex Oyster!
Excellent condition Rolex Date Just, asking for HKD$38,000!
That is the price of a Rolex Stainless steel Air King, what else you can buy now with HKD$38,000!?
It looks great on women too!
HK Snob
This watch was sold on 4 Dec 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Kris Aquino Wears Patek Philippe, the Legendary Nautilus


Kris Aquino is wearing Patek Philippe Ref 7010/1 R Rose Gold Nautilus. That is a kind of watch for President's sister!

Gerald Genta and Nautilus
Gerald Genta, who created such opuses as AP Royal Oak, Ingenieur SL, Vacheron Constantin 222 and many other unique models.
Collaboration with Patek Philippe started with a meeting in a hotel restaurant at Basel World in 1972. Henry and Philippe Shtern were so much interested what made Genta to create the Royal Oak. Gerald had a  consideration of creating  smooth and round lines resembling sea waves as he considered the favourite sports skiing and Sailing of Philippe Shtern.

Gerald drew a script of a watch prototype on the restaurant napkin by a pencil. Genta took home and forgot where was it for some months.
Later Gerald remembered about an unclaimed sketch when Piaget made a offer to him to design thin sport watch for their new extra-thin movement. Immediately Gerald presented the script of “Nautilus” to Piaget company. However Piaget was not ready to approve release such an innovative watch design. Or if Piaget would accept Gerald's design Patek Philippe wouldn't have any Nautilus watch anymore!

At 1974 BaselWorld exhibition Gerald Genta visited an agent of Patek Philippe Mr. Fiollette in the United Arabian Emirates. Mr, Fiollette asked Genta if he could offer him some elegant sport watches. As a coincidence the napkin with a sketch was found in Genta's pocket! And in 1976, Patek Philippe released a new watch “Nautilus!”

That was Nautilus watch of 70s. Patek Philippe had created an immense influence on Swiss horology, making it following the latest fashion trends as a sportive watch of elegancy. Year after year, Nautilus remains one the important sport watch designs main stream, like Royal Oak of Audemars Piguet till today and probably tomorrow.

Charles  Gérald Genta was borne in May 1, 1931, and passed away on Aug 17, 2011 at age of 80, I think Genta is one of the most important men in the history of recent Swiss Watch design!

HK Snob

Saturday, December 1, 2012

AP Royal Oak 18K Solid Gold Jumbo1972 on Sale









This is an AP Royal Oak, one of my AP Royal Oak, This Yellow Gold watch is rare and not so many people got a chance to see it unless in AP Exhibition and or some other Auctions. It was the creation of gerald Genta who designed watch to change the fate of the whole AP company for profit.
This watch has never veen polished at AP, it has been worn for a while. It is very accuracte which is important to tell the movement is Good, I have been trying to wear it for two weeks, I could see that it gained half a minute or less, so everyday it gains about 2-3 seconds. That is the accuracy of a Chronometer.

Attached the Waranty booklet of the watch. This watch was engraved with Serial number of two digits! I believe the first launch of this 1972 Gold verison is less than 200 pcs.

Beginning of the year, an Auction of the same 1972 watch in Stainless less had a hammer price of HKD$311,250.

The new 2012 release AP Royal Oak Retro Rose Gold 39 mm is selling at HKD$471,000.00

HK Snob