Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Tudor Heritage Ranger Ref.79910 On Sale


 
 
Model: Tudor heritage Ranger Ref.79910
Size:41mm
Details: Complete Box and papers
Brand new Tudor Ranger bund leather strap with original signed deployant buckle
Condition:90%, Keep excellent time
Price:HKD$17,800
 
HK Snob


Rare IWC Portugese Laureus Limited Edition on Sale



Model:IWC Portuguese Laureus
Limited Edition Ref.3742-32
Size:41mm
Details: Complete box and papers, Sunburst blue dial,
Blue croc, IWC pin Buckle
Condition:90%
Keep Excellent Time
Asking HKD$45,000

HK Snob

Rolex Day Date Ref.1803 on sale


 

Model: Rolex Day Date Ref.1803
Case: Yellow Gold 36mm
Movement: Cal.1556
Dial: Yellow Gold Pie Pan, Yellow gold with YG Stick Indeces.
T Swiss T marking
Crown: Yellow Gold Rolex Signed
Serial Number :372xxxx (1972)
Condition:88%

Keep excellent time, very even patina,
Watch only
Custom Morelli's Finish case
Price HKD$38,000

HK Snob

Sunday, June 12, 2016

The Rolex GMT Master II – The Green Pointer vs the Batman



The Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic has been one of the most frequently seen watches on the street in Hong Kong. The 116710 Green Pointer is also one the Rolex I bought. I actually chose it over the Submariner 116610 because the watch was so much more attractive due to the oversized numbers on the ceramic bezel. The 116710 Green Pointer is a dazzling watch. A friend of mine bought two for himself and his wife last year. He has a black Daytona 116520 for himself and a white 116520 for his wife. But why did he buy two GMT Green Pointer but now one Green Pointer plus a Batman?

He said the Green Pointer looks more classic….
 
 
 
 
Is it true? HK Snob weighs in.
The two GMT Master II have different aesthetics. Or, do they? The Batman differs from the Green Pointer by having a dual color ceramic bezel, which is the only bi-color ceramic bezel on Rolex stainless steel models. The blue-black bezel symbolizes night and day. The GMT hand is blue instead of green and the letters GMT Master II are in white.
 
On the wrist, they really do not look very different. The same case applies to the Deep Sea black and the Deep Sea D-blue. Under certain lighting, you can even hardly notice that the Batman has a blue-black bezel.
 
 
How about the Green Pointer? It has a green GMT hand and green GMT Master II letters. Let’s not forget that the color that represents Rolex is green. However, this watch has been in production for 10 years and there are a lot of people wearing it. But of course, the price is lower than the Batman. It will feel a bit dull if you have had the watch for a bit over 2-3 years since the color scheme is not particularly attractive.
 
 
The Batman, on the other hand, offers you something more fun to see every day. The blue color of the ceramic bezel and the GMT hand and the white color of the letters GMT Master II also recall a blue sky with clouds. The Green Pointer and the Batman are equally flashy. If you have not had a GMT watch, get a Batman. But if you have the Green Pointer, keep it and wear it in good health.
HK Snob
HKWF Group

Rolex Day-Date 60th anniversary edition and our Day-Date recommendations


2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Day-Date. Rolex released two DD40 earlier at Baselworld to commemorate the 60th birthday of one of the most iconic watches in the Rolex collection.
 
The two watches in white gold and rose gold both have an olive sunburst dial. The best thing is – they have arrived in Hong Kong.
 
 
 

 
 
 
The addition of the olive dial DD40 to the current lineup is absolutely a good thing given the fact that the DD40 collection offers a relatively limited range of dial options.
 
 
 
The olive dial is superb in the metal. On the rose gold model, it fully complements the warmth of rose gold making it one of the killer combos and one of the sharpest Day-Date ever made. The 3D Roman numerals give you extra shine from the dial as they reflect light together with the hands.
 
 

 

 
 
One of the best things about the Day-Date is its bracelet. One can easily recognize it. The DD40 even has ceramic parts in the bracelet making it even smoother when worn. You can easily tell the difference in terms of comfort if you have tried a DD with oyster bracelet before you try the other with President bracelet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you think that the DD is for the old, then you might want to try this new DD with olive dial. The new DD 40 with olive dial is an absolutely handsome piece that looks very good on the wrists of young people. The olive dial, the fluted bezel and the President bracelet give you very sharp reflection of light at any angle.  
If the new Day-Date 40 is not your choice, here are some recommendations for you to enter the splendid world of Day-Date.
 
 
 

1.      Rolex 118238/118235/118239
The Day-Date at 36mm is the most classic. In rose gold, yellow gold or white gold, it is a very elegant timepiece. These 36mm DDs offer you more varied dial options than the DD40. From gem stones to diamonds, there must be one dial option for you. My personal favorite is the meteorite dial with diamond markers.
 
 

 
2.      The Rolex 218238/218235/218239 Day-Date II
The discontinued DDII collection has the biggest cases in all time. At 41mm, the watch is meant for younger users who prefer bigger watches. Although dial options are not as varied as the 36mm DD, the DDII still offers some very nice designs on the dial. The size of it also makes it very hard to go unnoticed.
 
 

 
Although the collection has been discontinued, you are still very likely to find NOS or second-hand watches in good condition.
 
3.      The Rolex 1803 – the more affordable Day-Date
 
If new Day-Dates are too expensive for you, then you might look for a 36mm ref 1803. The 1803 has Plexiglas and it can be had at less than 100k and around half the price without the bracelet. You can pair the watch with different leather straps which is as much fun as wearing it on the President bracelet.
 
HK Snob
HKWF Group
 
 


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Panerai PAM396


This is definitely an awesome Panerai that no one could resist.
Ceramic case, sturdy look, huge, Tourbillon, GMT two time zone display, super sportive...simple well- arranged dial design with just the right information you need.


Manual Winding, Black dial with thick matching bracelet.

The only remaining  concern is price...

and I have solved for you:-

MSRP is HK$843,600


Now less XX%

BNIB Full Set watch.

HK Snob

Monday, June 6, 2016

Should you buy a modern Submariner or a vintage Submariner? HK Snob weighs in

 
 
Many of you may have a Rolex Submariner in your collection. Being one of the most iconic watches in the world, the Rolex Submariner is often seen on the wrists of stars and celebrities. From divers to everyday users, the Rolex Submariner has always served us well as a tool watch or simply a three hander.





The current lineup of Submariners include the 116610 (Sub date), 116610lv (the Hulk) and the 114060 (no date Sub). Among them, the 116610lv is most sought-after with its green ceramic bezel and green sunburst dial. It is a watch that retains its value best among the three. Much like its predecessor 16610lv, the green Submariner released for the 50th anniversary of the Submariner, the Rolex Green has made it very popular among collectors. However, if you already own the Hulk or even all three of the current Submariner references, what else can you buy?
 

 
 
One of the most attractive things about a Rolex is that every watch is very iconic and a Rolex seems to retain its value in time better than anything else. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a Submariner, other than the watches in the current collection which are around 50k to 68k HKD, you may look for a second-hand or NOS 14060, 16610, or even the more vintage 5513 and 1680.
 
 
 
 
 
A basic good-condition 5513 or 1680 can be found at around HKD 48-50k. The prices are rising slowly as these watches are getting rarer and rarer. It is a good investment for you.
 
 
 
However, if you do not like their Maxi dials, you can choose the more recent 14060 which is a perfect tool watch for any occasion. One of the features of the 14060 is that all of them have lug holes which are an important feature of a tool watch. The Submariner of that generation has different case shapes than the current collection which features “super cases” with more angular shapes. The 5513, 1680 and the more recent 16610, 14060 has better curves than the current 116610 and 114060 in terms of their shapes.
 
 
 
 
 
The 16610 and the 14060 are sold at around 35-45k and these watches are already out of production. Their prices will only go up as time goes by. We will go into more details of these watches in later episodes.
If you do not have a Submariner yet, do go for the 116610lv. The classic Rolex green color makes it a very sharp watch that retains its value best among the current lineup of Submariners. If you already have the “Hulk”, think of the last generation of Submariners. There is always one for you to get.
 
HK Snob
 
 
 
 
 
 



Rolex Day Date Ref.228238 BNIB Full Set




Only one HK$198,000 cash

HK Snob

AP Carbon Dive Watch Mint Full Set

 
 
AP Ref.15703AU Discontinued Item
Listing at HK$218,000
 
Mint Condition Full Set 2012 Watch
Cash HK$160,000
 
HK Snob

PaneraI PAM605 Firenze Special Edition


PAM605 BNIB Full Set HK$97,000 cash

Also PAM629 BNIB Full Set HK$110,400 cash

HK Snob

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Rolex Daytona Ceramic Ref.116500LN supply status



 
Rolex is very good in marketing, as the basic rule to determine price is the relation of demand and supply.

We had experienced that with the GMT master II Blue black Ref.116710BLNR. In the first few months of launch, I even could buy at Rolex AD with 5% discount… The first one I bought for a Vietnam visitor back into 2014 July.

After two months, there we could not find any stock at Rolex AD, only from Gray Dealers!

I describe this phenomenon as “U” shapes supply cycle…

Initially Rolex will ship more in the first three months, such that more people can see this watch, there created more talks at Blog, fb, IG… provided that watch is beautiful and having a few nice feature. More and more people will try to buy… well, then we will fall into the flat or bottom minimum supply cycle, price will shoot up from gray dealer, of course we cannot get any watch at Rolex AD unless you are SVIP.

After two three years then there will be more supply as both the gray dealer price even may be  higher than you could buy in AD. As by that time, there will be new Rolex model launching in the market.

After two years the Batman was launched, Still we can hardly find any stock at AD… and with gray dealer, the price is still high between HK$63,000 to HK$65,000. (MSRP is HK$67,300)

How about this iconic Daytona, a Panda like Cosmograph with ceramic bezel, if you think Rolex will give each Rolex AD one watch a month!? That could be a dream, may be one watch in one Quarter!

As I expected that market price would be high as HKD$140,000 in my Blog post in April. it comes true today...

Now we can see the price is running between HK$138,000 to HKD$147,000!

This is the start of the “U” Cycle”, most of the Rolex AD can get one or two in a month… after a few months, we should expect less in supply or even zero… or they can ship all HK supply to other country likewise send say Singapore supply to HK one day…and keeps the Rolex Fans of HK and Singapore in Hunger!

Then the price could shoot go up more than HK$140,000!

Of course this is my guess, but if I were Rolex, I will do the same!

Note that the White one is even more difficult to get as  compare with older generation Ref.116520LN though price is same now for White or Black, in long terms I am sure White is more expensive that black!

So I think, if you can afford, but now, or you will not get it as easy as it is now!
 
For this model, I think the bottom line of the "U" cycle could last a long period of time! 

HK Snob
HK Watch Fever

Saturday, June 4, 2016

The evolution of the Rolex Daytona


Many of us are more than ready to get the new Rolex Daytona 116500LN. The Daytona is an interesting watch that has been Rolex’s ace for years. It is almost a cult success. So, how has the Daytona reached its current status?
 



In 1963 Rolex debuted the first Cosmograph model ref 6239. The features of it included a tachometer scale engraved on the metal bezel and the dials were either in black with silver counters or in silver with black counters.
 




 
The name "Daytona" did not appear on the dial until 1965. A new dial version called "exotic" was introduced in 1965. It featured an outer track which matches the sub-dials running around the edge of the dial. The seconds sub-dial is at 9 o'clock and it is marked at 15, 30, 45 and 60.
 
 
 
 
 
The ref 6240, which was produced till 1969 only, introduced screw-down push pieces and it became the first ref of the Daytona which was fully waterproof. Interestingly, the word “Daytona” is not always printed on the dial of the 6240. I do think that the “exotic” dial looks way better than usual dials for the 6240.
 
 
References 6262 and 6264 were produced between 1970 and 1972. These references adopted push-down buttons with metal bezel or black plastic bezel.. Dials were either white with black sub-dials or vice versa.
 
 
From 1971 to 1987, Rolex produced the Daytona 6263 and 6265. These references adopted black plastic bezels and metal bezels and they were waterproof to 100 meters.
 
 
 
The Daytona 6263 is also now known as the “Paul Newman” Daytona because movie star Paul Newman wore the ref 6263 and a ref 6241 on a bund strap. Any Rolex Daytona with exotic dial is known as "The Paul Newman Daytona". Particularly, a Paul Newman dial must be in ref 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265.
 
 

 

 
The most sought-after models of the Daytona today include these “Paul Newman” Daytonas. These watches are often seen fetching very high prices during auctions.
 
 
 
 
Rolex started in 1988 manufacturing the 16520 Daytona. The watch had a 40mm case instead of a 37mm one and it had sapphire crystals instead of Plexiglas. Before the 16520, the Daytona had always featured a manual-wound movement. The breakthrough came when Rolex adopted a new automatic movement based on the Zenith El Primero 400. The heavily modified movement was then the Calibre 4030. Because of limited supply and super strong demand, the 16520 was a great success.
 

 
 
Some notable models included 16520 with porcelain finish dials and 10-watch-only 16528 blue dial for Rolex collectors.
 
 
In 2000, the Rolex Daytona 116520 was out. It featured a totally in-house caliber 4130 and the black dial version had been a very sought-after model from 2000-2015.
So, what has made the Daytona such a success? Maybe it is because of the limited supply. Maybe it is because of the design of the watch. Or, maybe because it is a Rolex chronograph, which has always represented precision from the day it was born. In today’s world in which big watches are in vogue, the Rolex Daytona retains its classic shape in 40mm. The dial style of the new 116500LN white resembles the “panda” style of the “Paul Newman” Daytona, which is one of the most important legacy of the Daytona. Its bezel is now ceramic and it does not attract scratches anymore. These small improvements and dedication to the original details are what it takes for a watch to become legendary.
 
HK Snob
HKWF Group

Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Parmigiani is available at special price (Brand new in box)


AP RB2 NOS Rose Gold dated June 2015 HK$608,000 Nett



 
AP Ref.26299SN Limited 1,000 pieces RP HK$319,000 now HK$229,896

  
AP Ref.2629OR limited 1000 pieces HK$32,8000 





Parmigiani Men's White Gold Large dress watch RP HK$145,000 now $101,500.



Parmigiani Ladies in steel, Original Price $104,000 now $72,800



Special office, valued offer for HKWF readers, while stock lasts

HK Snob

Rolex 2016 watches have arrived Hong Kong








 
 

Probably some of you have seen this watches in Balls, gathering, parties and in MTRs
Yes, the long waiting 2016 new Rolex has arrived, though not all new models, but at least some of the best have...
However, they are distributed to the first tier customers, SVIP of the Rolex authorized dealer...etc

The Daytona Ceramic, for example are here in Hong Kong, with a list price of HK$95,000.

However, we understand that they cannot be sold at the list price.


HKWF has a few Daytona Ceramic White dial and black Ref.116500LN on hand, price is HK$140,000,


I have noticed those who sent me deposit for reservation, if you want to take this or wait for second batches? Let me know.

HK Snob