How do you start your watch Collection?

We are a small group of watch experts, all of whom were once in the position you currently find yourself in, and who would be delighted to help you avoid the mistakes they made when they started buying watches. We want to help you build a collection that you are proud of and that brings you endless happiness. Before getting started, here’s what you should know.
1. Take Your Time
“Collecting is more than just buying objects.” The process of collection is the main source of joy. “Anything I do, I spend a lot of time. I do it with passion and intensity. I want to be in charge.” This really is all you need to know before you start your own watch collection. In HK colloquial saying, “Buy expensive good is better rather a cheap bad!”
2. Think About Why You’re Starting a Collection
Do watches create electrified-joy in you? Are you seeking merely to diversify your assets? If the former, you’re ready to go. If the latter, think a bit more on it. Watches should above all make you happy. Learning about them, hunting them down, possessing them, wearing them, showing them to colleagues, sharing with friends, and even eventually selling them are all steps in the process of forming a collection. If you enjoy every part of the process, you’ll never regret starting a collection. Always remember a watch has to be a watch on the wrist not in the vault… buy what you love to wear. Than the cost will be justified. Don’t just buy a Patek and hide it in the safe deposit box to let it rust while you are wearing a Cheapo e-watch and talks about Patek!
3. Buy What You Enjoy
Buy what you love – are keys to building a collection you will enjoy for years to come. There’s no better feeling than looking at your wrist and seeing a watch that speaks to you. Over the years, your taste and style will change dramatically, and so will the watches that are in your collection. Let that evolution happen and enjoy it!Don’t follow your friends’ wish list and copy that as yours, because he may love only certain brand and model, will that speak to you? Build you one wish list of watches.
4. Study and do research
Do your homework. Learn everything there is to know about the watch you are after. There's a lot of information out there in internet, but not all of it is good. Ask questions and develop a relationship with a specialist – we are all standing by to assist, and we often have more information than we’re able to fit on our site. Do not hesitate to ask questions via Whatsapp... The better we know you, the better we can advise you too!5. Buy the watch, not the price
Many people buy a watch with only considering on pricing, remember a same model of watch say Rolex Submariner 5513 can be ranging from US$10,000, to 30,000! Why?

The Quality speak for itself, if you look at the price for US$10,000 after two years your watch would stay US$10,000 but the other one has been appreciated to UD$40,000 because the later one is of good quality whereby people is willing to pay more for…6. Focus On QualityWe can’t stress this enough. The quality of the watch should always be the paramount driving force and pieces of outstanding condition can always be used as a stepping stone to later refine. For vintage or pre-owned watches, condition and condition, the originality are essential – how well the watch was taken care of and the presence of all original parts and documents greatly affect its value!
7. Don’t Buy Into Hype
It happens. Every couple of years, there seems to be a new “Must have”. If that particular watch doesn’t speak to you, simply let it go. There are so many watchmakers, styles, and eras represented in the market, chances are we’ve got a watch that others will say is so you!  Remember, buy the watch you love! 8. Have Fun  
Remember, a collection Isn’t defined by a Number
At what point does a collection become a collection: 5 watches? 20 watches? 1,000 watches? We like to think it starts much earlier, with the very first watch. Every collector remembers their first significant purchase, and often times it’s the only watch they have decided they will never sell. You can learn a lot about watches by studying them, but you’ll know infinitely more through ownership. Last, have fun on your watches…make your every watch carry a story behind!
HK Snob

Rolex Price 1H of 2019

What Rolex Should I start with!?

Many of a friend asked me what should I start for a Rolex?

Well, I had been questioned this from Colleagues, and friends, and I say, all depends what is your purpose of buying a Rolex?

Most of the replies are buying a watch that he can use and at same time can keep the value for long period of time…say 10-15 years.

Whilst price of Rolex is getting crazy.. what is a beginner should start with!?

Well, when the World economy is not that bad, HSI is 30,000 points whereas the real estate price is highest in the world since 2000,  $10m cannot buy a 1,000 square foot flat in the town… what is the difference in a price up of $20000 for a Batman? Nothing to them.

Well, people laughed at me on my facebook when I said price of Batman would hit HK$90000 in May 2018,  I can ask this gentleman to look at the price of a Batman now, well, someone is asking $135,000!

And actual transaction os about $128000… Some dealer carries over 50 Batmans in his vault….

They aren’t stupid as they also bought them at a premium…no one is able to get a SRP price for Batman…. Except those Super Big Spender who used to buy jewelry or gold 0.5m a month like we buy a piece of Pizza!

Another day, there is someone saying that who will buy a stainless steel Daytona ceramic with $190,000?

He would buy a white gold Daytona which is probably $40,000 on top of it… He does not understand that people keep buying a Hermes bag when price is increased, that is to tell them can afford… and they like to use luxury predict with price keeping up.

If one day Rolex sales giving you a less 20% discount to clear all the sport watch,,, then that is the day you can buy Rolex in SRP… But will that be possible!?

Rolex is good in manipulating the balance of Supply and demand… though Rolex is really expanding their production capacity to fulfill those angry customers on the long waiting list…

So what is your expected price for a Batman up to? I think it is still possible $140,000.

When the new Batman with Jubilee is in the market , the price is $150,000

Another question on price of Daytona Ceramic 116500LN

I think Black will go up to $175,000 and White $195,000 by June 2019.

HK Snob

Rmk Price listed here is Hong Kong Dollars HKD

A Journey of Watch Collection

If you ask a young Japanese student what is a mechanical watch, 95% of them cannot tell, as since they were borne, watches are driven by Quartz with a tiny battery cells keep them running for 3-5 years. As Japan is dominant by Seiko, Citizen and Casio, the three giants for watches. Very Few people are wearing a Patek Philppe or a Vacheron Constantin in the street. May be some on the central of Ginza. Of course nowadays that is quite common to see Japanese wears Grand Seiko and Rolex….

Where as in Hong Kong, if you ask an average adult what is an Automatic Watches, 55% of men and 85% of women would reply is saying it is a battery Cell driven watch, though there are tons of Rolexes are to be seen in a Cinema and or Train. They are the watch user but not watch collectors… they wear the watch that had to be recognized by his friend and people around them, they might not know the story of the watch at all.

To me, my father triggered me the interests in looking for watches since the first day he bought me a Citizen Hand wind  as it was displayed as “Student Watch” in one of the small shop at Sun Po Kwong where we lived nearby…. With HK$35 back in 1967…. Since the day, I was puzzled by the maze of running for different kind of watches…

When I passed by Rolex shop, I almost stuck my nose through the window to see the beautiful shinning Fluted bezel of a Rolex Day Date… I looked at the price tag, I think I could not afford it in my whole life,,,, that was an equivalent of my father’s four years’ salary… but every time I passed by I told myself ,.. one day I must have one like this…!

Gradually after I worked on M/V… and Oil Rigs… I started to buy myself Rolex Date Just stainless steel, then Cartier Two Tone Santos, Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Pink gold…

After years, I got my first Daytona 16528 with Diamond, and Then I bought a Jaeger LeCoultre Perpetual Calendar in Yellow Gold with single Crown adjustment.

After I worked in the current company, I bought my first wife solid gold Date Just 31mm, but was stolen later on, so sad…

Moreover, I bought a few Rolexes to my wife, for another one… I got her a Solid gold Rolex Date Just with diamonds, and a Tudor Two Tone when we married, an Oyster Perpetual in steel, a Date Just in Yellow gold tone with date… and an Explorer II Polar…

Sooner I bought a few watches for another one I love,, a Day Date Solid gold 19018 Birch, a Day Date 18338  in blue, a Citizen minutes Repeater, an Oyster Quartz stainless 17000 and a two tone 17013 as she loved them for not stop moving after 40 hours….

There are as many answers to that question as there are collectors, but I have noticed one fundamental truth that binds them together. No matter their age, race, experience, and budget, all watch collectors can still remember the first truly remarkable mechanical watch they handled, or bought by someone?

What is the best beloved dress watch I like, it is rare and beautiful Constantin Triple Calendar wristwatch from the 1990s. It is a truly special, functional and not-too-unaffordable, the kind of watch that inspires a new level of respect for the art of watchmaking.  For myself… I think I like most Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Ademars Piguet, Cartier, Piaget,  Rolex, Panerai, IWC, jaeger..

I don’t know how many Rolex I have owned, but to be honesty I treat them as goods and tools Only few Rolex that I admire… such as the Day Date Onyx 18038, Submariner 16618 in onyx…probably a white Gold 1803 in Mahogany dial… or even a Coral which this is harder to find than to get to the moon by plane….what plane?

Recently when I get old I narrow down my collection and I told myself I prefer to spend less money on more variety of those not too complicated watches rather than to invest heavily on few expensive Complications…

In recently I start to collect some special rare species such as Presidents’ Watches… some watches of certain important people that carry a story…

If you ask me what is the best watch I like… Honesty I think the answer is still the same over the three decades…. A Platinum Day Date…or a nice Patek Dress watches…

If you ask me how about a Nautilus Ref 5712/A-001 or 5711/A-001? All I can say…. That is love and hate…

If you are old watch collector, you probably know what I mean…

HK Snob

How we should buy a Patek Philippe Nautilus with SRP!?

The auction route isn’t much easier. Patek Philippe easily beats all other fine watchmakers when it comes to record-setting hammer prices, and pieces continue to appreciate in value, as much as 100 times the original price. It’s estimated that less than one million watches have been produced since the company was founded over 175 years ago, whereas Rolex makes close to one millions watch within the years 2006. Even Rolex has reduced their production volume. Rolex still produces as many as 700,000 watches in 2017.

This making Patek Philippe watches among the rarest timepieces on the market. 

Of course, with all the hoop-jumping required to buy the real thing, there is some fake stuff in the market. We will cover this topics in next post. 

Buying a Patek Philippe is a life time investment. I must take it seriously..

Buying a Patek Philippe watch isn’t simple as just you have the money or a black diamond credit card.  

Of course if you are those super rich persons, you don’t have to read this article as you can buy anywhere with you money paying at the market price. 

I am talking about buying those hot model at SRP (suggested retail price).

Hot Model is Nautilus or Aquanaut such as Ref 5711/1A-001, 5712/1A-001, 5990/1A-001, 5986A… stainless steel models. 

The market situation is so hot that we normally have to wait for years to get one of these watches at the Patek Philippe Boutique.  

Last year yesterday this time I went to Geneve Patek Philippe, the senior sales executives told me that a local Swiss had to wait for 7 years for a Patek Ref 5712/1A-001.

It is time to line up for a Patek for your Son!! LOL. 

Patek steel sport watches is somewhat similar to Rolex Daytona Steel model. Market price is over 2X of the SRP! 

So for example a Rolex Daytona Ceramic Ref 116500LN SRP is $97,600 but normally you can only get one at the market with HK$188,000 or more for the white *1. 

Patek most sought after steel model like Ref 5712 SRP is HK$298,740, but market price is about $500,000-$700,000. 

For the most intricate styles, called Grand Complications, or the popular Nautilus and Aquanaut sport models, potential buyers must submit to an application process. The Stern family, which has owned the company since 1932, reviews each application to judge whether a prospective owner has a proven track record with the company and appreciates the fine craftsmanship of each timepiece. 

In Hong Kong, only known few of my friends had successfully bought a Nautilus Ref 5712 and Ref 5711 with SRP. 

These are the list of the preferred name that Patek would give the watch with higher priority. 

University professor

Doctors

Movie Star

Successful Business man

Banker

Political Figures

Scientist

Senior Position in a Public listed company

Successful individuals

*2 

Hints

No need to be acting as a Patek Expert in front of the sales to please them.Some of us may know more than they on the watches, but they are the one to write up some points to send to the head office for recommendation. Just act normal, purpose is to buy a Patek Watch! 

The name card is the key, but you cannot borrow your CEO’s name card to go as when they call, they will call the number on the card. When you buy, you must be the real card holder. 

You leave your name card at one Boutique will do, no need to go to other boutique. 

My suggestion is really make up a touching story to influence the salesman to tell this is your watch intented to buy, use and pass to your son in future… 

They hate Dealer, if they smell you are the dealer, there is no more offer for you. 

I know one Patek Collectors who has over 100 Pateks and every time he gets the watch he wants at Boutique as everyone knows him he buys and he appreciates the watch, and never sell out… So these are the people Patek likes to do business with. 

The process is to leave you name card at any Patek Philippe shop written the model you want, our suggestion is to put maximum three models. 

They will submit to the general Manager in the Hong Kong head office to evaluate if they would sell it to you. 

Normally you should get a call from the Boutique within three weeks. 

Patek Philippe is still family-owned company. The independence for unlimited freedom and passion on design. Highly tradition and retaining good values.

Start to do your research and purchase a Patek for you and your family members now! 

All Patek Philippe timepieces are always a classic! 

This is an article that I think it may be helpful for you to get a Patek hot model at SRP, there are already three persons we know get the watch they want by leaving his name card at Patek Boutique within the last 5 months in Hong Kong. 

Everyone is happily bringing his holy grail home… !

Special Reminder, Nautilus Ref 5712-1A is really quite thin and if your wrist is big you might find that watch is too thin for you, at that time, call me and I buy from you.
Remarks

*1 Price of Today 14 April, 2019.

*2 Patek Never have announced that there is a list of preferred customer officially. 

Price listed here is HKD  

HK Snob  

PS
Address The Hour Glass Landmark - Patek Philippe Hong Kong Official Retailer

---

the Landmark, G/F Shop.G64, 14 Des Voeux,Central

10:00- 19:30
Tel:  ： 2522 0262 

The Patek Philippe (Hour Glass)  (on the right side of Holiday Inn Golden Miles Hotel
63, Nathan Road,
10:00-21:30

Tel :2723 2181

Watch Collection

These are some of my watch collection, of course there are some I forget to put it there.

That is not important.

The things is I am shifting more from a lot of brands into just a few.

I think I like these most: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, AP, Tudor and Cartier.

HK Snob

                                            

Rolex's Success Factors

If I were asked what is best in terms of Function, value, Cost of ownership of a watch,

I think that will be Rolex.

Why not as the money you spend would be having a lot of quality in return.

And That is a very reliable watch for your Daily uses.

HK Snob

How to tell my Rolex Box is Fake or Authenic or not?

There are fake Rolex Box in the market, and some of them is very easy to tell for his colour is very much different with the original Rolex Box.

But there are Class A copy cat that is very close to the original design in dimension, colour and some of the details.

However Fake is Fake....

Here we are looking at the difference between an Authentic Rolex Box and a Counterfeit.

If There is no apple to apple comparison, I can tell you that the colour is so alike.

The Green Tick is original Rolex Box whilst the Red Cross is Fake.

The Original Box cover has a more clearer stamping mark of the Rolex icon.

The PVC foam sheet is different, original one has horizontal flow lines whereas fake one is having a

lot of small dot marks

Check the inner box paper folding , this is easy to be found... just a closer look. However I think onlt this one has such a obvious defect.

Check the printing quality.

This is obvious, this is hard to copy as original one has a concealed paper ends.

The Original Pillow is fuller, smoother and even seam line.

There is a step at the top of the tray which is obvious.

Good Quality cannot be copy easily. this is the authentic one, the cutting edge is sharp and clear.

The Rolex crown lies flat on the box surface leaving no gaps.

The purpose of this is to help you to identify if the box is fake or not when you buy Rolex not from a very reliable sources or not from an AD.

However, as far as I know, even some of the young Rolex Sales managers cannot tell if he is given just the fake box alone.

If the Box is fake, so as there watch , so you need to beware.

I hope it help you to identify the box, it makes you spending money without worrying buying counterfeits.

HK Snob