“What’s Hi Fi” had selected these few pieces of all time favourite or memorisable pieces of legendary audio equipment. No matter you have once used them or still using them now, they represent the best examples of good engineering and special designed masterpieces! Though there is arguable why not Rogers LS3/5A Loudspeakers is not included or not. Let’s not talk about your own favourite pieces first. Do we agree that these are some of the legendary Audiophile
Equipment in the past 60 years ?
Have you notice that the Maclntosh MC275 was sold at US$444 in 1965 worth how much now ?
Well if a super nice condition with original component in is about $7,000!
Can you image if one used the US$444 to buy three Rolex GMT master 1675 and keep until
Now in super good condition worth how much now? In case of a 1960 GMT Master is kept till now probably worth US$134,615 which is 20 times more in value.
The moral of this story is keep your Rolex and sell them to buy audio equipment! As most of the audio equipment will depreciate rather than appreciate over time
Maclntosh MC275
Audio Note Japan Ongaku amplifier (1991)
Audio Research SP10/SP-10PS pre/power (1982)
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus speakers (1993
Burmester 808 Mk 5 preamp (1980)
Krell KSA50 power amp (1985)
Linn LP12 turntable (1973)
Mark Levinson No.30/No.31 CD player (1991)
McIntosh MC275 power amp (1961)
Nagra PL-P preamp (1998)
Naim NAP250 power amp (1975)
Nakamichi Dragon (1982)
Oracle Delphi Mk1 turntable (1979)
Quad ESL 57 (1957)
Tannoy Westminster (1982)
HK Snob
A story started with mentorship to a young student who came to me after finding me at my Blog.
He learnt from me on buying and selling watches two years.
Now he has his own office in Tsim Sha Tsui and making ten of thousand of US dollar a month.
Readers of my fb knows about this story and started to ask for more and how about a setup in a group such as to share the technique and knowledge in making watch selling fun.
We are encouraged to set up a new chat group in form of facebook, WhatsApp group or other media for the following purposes:
1.To share watch trace secret
2. How to make a successful deal
3. What we should buy and when we should sell?
4. How to tell the fake watches from the real stuff?
5.....
Many people would like to join as we had talked about the name of the group.
name come up like; Watchohic, WTF, Watch mentorship club, Watch fever Club, watchout,
Rolexian, Watch Snobs, and many other...
We are thinking on how to proceed and ideas is never to much, please support and we can make fun and fund from it,.
Keep you posted
HK Snob
Price of Rolex has not been affected by this COVID-19 and bad economy locally in Hong Kong.
The price of Rolex was estimated to lower by most of the speculators and watch dealers a few months ago but
that is not the case.
Take a few examples:-
Let’s compare the price of today with 6 months ago
Daytona 116500 White today price $200,000 ($185,000)
Daytona Gold green dial 116508 Today price $420,000 ($365,000)
GMT Pepsi 126710BLRO today price $139,000 ($136,000)
GMT Batgirl 1266710BLNR today price is $120,000 ( $118000)
Sea dweller 126600 Single Red $111,000 ($106,000)
Submariner 116610LN 40mm discontinued since Sept 2020 , NOS still available about estimated $98,000
Submariner 126610LN 41mm now is $115,000
These are not SPR at AD, because only a few person could get Rolex sport model with SPR in Hong Kong, needless to be discussed here.
The price here is the trading price of watch dealers in Hong Kong.
Let’s observe one more month.
HK Snob
This is Rolex Day Date coral.
No matter you like it or not, I was able to persuade Rolex Swiss to assemble one last Coral dial on to a 118238 and we bought it three years ago at AD and sold it to a HK collector at HK$2XXXXX !
That watch is probably worth with almost $700,000 or more now!
Now Antiquorum is carrying a 1996 ref 18208 with coral dial.
The most collectible colour is Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, onyx... I still Remember someone looked at me saying too expensive as I sold one 18038 Coral with Rolex paper with certain price, half of this price 2 years ago.
Sometimes it is not hunch but knowledge that could predict what is the value of some watches in future!
The rule is how rare it was and how “ ugly” it was! After certain year peoples ’ taste would change and it becomes how beautiful it is! 😂
HK Snob
Latest Rolex Oyster Perpetual Tiffany Blue Hong Kong market price update
1. 41 mm latest Ref 124300 $92,000- 100,000
2. 36 mm Unisex Ref 126000 $86000- 90,000
3. 31 mm lady 277200 $52,000-57,000
36mm Ref 126000 is the hottest as it suits both men and women.
41mm definitely fits for men for its size, but who will wear this Tiffany blue, may be Don Johnson.
It seems this is the price highest to low
1. Tiffany Blue
2. Green
3. Orange
4. Pink
5. Red
6. Shining Blue
7. Black
8. Silver
New Tiffany Blue OP is two times the SRP!
Some people say, let’s wait and the price will drop, I think the price will be slightly adjusted but will float at +5 -10% of this price within these three months.
HK Snob
After 1st September, there is never short of surprise, first the slightly enlarged 41mm Submariner 126610LN, 126610LV was available in the authorized Dealer (AD), actually each AD should carry one set of new Rolex in Hong Kong, but not Taiwan, Philippines, nor Thailand.
Price of Submariner Green bezel is highest hitting $200,000 in the first two days, people will think that price will drop one week or so to a state of $120,000!
It is proven wrong, as of today 13 September, the Green Bezel Submariner (it got a nicked name Starbucks) is still selling as an average $165,000.
Submariner Black with date 126610LN is $121,000
How about those OP? An oyster perpetual 36mm ref 124300 with SRP $43,400.
This is the known price on media like fb, IG.
Turquoise $77,000
Green $65,000
Yellow, Red and Orange yet to be seen and no price
Black and Silver should be around SRP.
I guess that orange and Red shall not be cheaper than turquoise and green.
Let’s watch out
We don’t have 41mm yet in the market.
If you can see those colour selling at SRP, I think you should buy, if not let me know where if that is in HK.
Price indicated here is in Hong Kong Dollar
HK Snob
Dear All HKWF fans
Welcome to visit my face book Live at 1200 HKLT this Saturday 29 August 2020
This week topics is "Daytona"
See you then.
HK Snob
Don't believe or not, the dealer trading price for Submariner black 116610LN is HK$92,000.
The Hulk is even insane, HK$133,000!
What a price under this worldwide unstable economy and amidst of COVID-19!
What is reason for such a simple watch to shoot up to this price?
Stop production?
Rolex shipment getting slim?
or more newer collector or users are entering into hype of Rolex sport watch?
I am thinking the big dealer is stocking up Hulk as they speculate the model will soon be discontinued.
So this is the last bet before September that there is some news of new Rolex model roll out from factory?
Just called the Rolex AD, one manager told me Hulk has been stopped to produce, that they have not seen one more than three weeks
HK Snob
As there is difficulty in browsing the watch in great details, this is what we have shown during the section.
This is open to discuss on these watches. Michael Young and me had been doing this during this COVID-19 pandemic.
I hope you can join and comment on that. fb page is under my name "Paul Ip".
Michael Young is an expert in Rolex bracelet restoration, he is owner of Classic Watch Repair and CEO of Undone (custom design watch company)
HK Snob
This was my last post on 5 Mar 2019 forecast on a few watches such as Daytona 116500LN white
Hulk Submariner 116610LV, Submariner 116610LN, GMT Master II 116710BLNR.
This is a review on say if we bought one each in August 2017, what would be the value today?
Price on 8/ 2017
Daytona 116500LN White $128,000
Hulk Submariner 116610LV $88,000
Submariner 116610LN $67,000
GMT Master II 116710BLNR $73,000
Total amount was 356,000.
Price on 8/2020
After 3 years today price is:-
Daytona 116500 $193,000
Hulk Submariner 116610LV $120,000
Submariner 116610LN $92,000
GMT Master II 116710BLNR $100,000
Total $505,000
Nett profit is $149,000 if you bought these watches three years ago.
Profit margin is 41%
But as you know that is the price you can buy now at the market currently, someone may not like three years old watch so the price is lowered, but if you keep that in mint full sticker condition further would be a very good investment in future!
Money shown here is HKD.
Refer my post :-
https://watch-fever.blogspot.com/2019/03/investment-on-watch.html?m=1
Introduction of Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570.
Rolex followed up the Explorer II ref. 16550 with the ref. 16570 in 1989.
It kept its 40mm size and stainless steel Oyster case and Oyster bracelet design, which I think a right and optimized size Rolex had an extensive study.
New to the dial was the black outlines of the hour markers and against the cool white dial, the luminescent indexes really pop up! So called Polar!
Also new to the Polar ref. 16570 was the movement. Early models of the 16570 are equipped with the Caliber 3185 automatic movement, while later versions are powered by the Caliber 3186. Also found on the later versions of the ref. 16570 is the “ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX” engraving on the rehaut as an anti-counterfeit measure. This particular ref. 16550 dates back to 1997/1999 so it’s powered by the Caliber 3185 and does not included the rehaut engraving. Whether opting for a new vintage or the Explorer II Polar, decide here looking at this watch.
A Robust stainless steel oyster case coupled with a cool white dial and a bright 24-hour hand makes for a timeless sports watch that brings out one’s adventurous side.
Both exceedingly practical thanks to its time, date, and GMT-hand functions, and impeccably designed, the Explorer II Polar is a Rolex not to be missed. And soon the 216570 will be replaced with newer ceramic Explorer II or III? Keep you vintage Polar is my advice to you.
HK Snob.
1. Stainless steel
4. White gold
5. Platinum
6. Silver
7. Bronze
8. Sapphire
9. Aluminum
10. Titanium
11. Glass
12. Stone
13. Elastomers
14.Carbon Fiber
15. Ceramic
16. Carbonium (Roman Gauthier)
17. Forged Carbon (Audemars Piguet, Panerai)
18. TPT quartz (Richard Mille)
19. Grey Cermet (Richard Mille new RM 11-05)
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is the most widely used watch material, which has a composition of being an iron-carbon alloy, combined with chromium and other material.. In general, stainless steel is difficult to scratch as it’s durable, lightweight and tough is most popular for its ability to resisting corrosion, maintaining a shine for a long life and keeping intact the strength of steel. These watches can have two finishings: polish or brush. Polishing creates a shiny mirror surface, but brushing makes the surface look rugged and is more suited for outdoor type of watches. This material has its downsides as it is easily damaged and prone to scratches, dents, smudges and fingerprints, so you have to be careful when wearing it.
Titanium
Titanium is mainly used to replace steel to capitalize on its lightweight property. A bulky dive watch will still look great and cool but at a more manageable weight. Such as the case with this Seiko Shogun. Titanium is more expensive than Steel. The World First Titanium watch is Porsche Design Titan by IWC in 1980. The entire watch and bracelet was made with Titanium.
Another advantage of titanium is it can be used by those with steel allergies.
Sapphire is something that I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about. It’s one of the gemstones and a rarity, but in watchmaking, sapphire is not exactly what you would think it is.
Sapphire
It is a hard material, having a score of 9 in mohr hardness scale (with diamond at 10) so it’s very scratch resistance.
Now, although sapphire is a gemstone, mankind have been able to synthesize it, although the process is slow and expensive (but at least we will have an abundant source of the material).
It is these synthetic sapphire that was used in watchmaking. Most of the sapphire is used to make watch crystal to capitalize on its scratch resistance properties. This ensures the watch crystal is scratch free even if it’s been used for years. In comparison, the other watch crystals (glass based mineral crystal and plastic based acrylic crystal) scratches fairly easily even in normal everyday use.
Sapphire was being used for replacing the Acrylic Crystal of watch, Rolex used on his Day Date in 1977. Audemars Piguet used it on his first Royal Oak 5402 in 1972. They are commonly used as the standard crystal material now for his hardness. Richard Milles using Sapphire to case the watch back in 2016 and Hublot is also doing this commonly now as case material with different colour.
TPT Quartz
The NTPT carbon composites that came before at Richard Mille were the original drivers of development, and North Thin Ply Technologies, the company behind NTPT carbon, became an ongoing development partner.
TPT, which stands for thin ply technology, is a method for making ultra-thin unidirectional strand sheets of carbon fibers. The sheets aren’t just fibers however, they are “tapes” that are pre-impregnated (“prepreg”) with resin for more accurate and controllable application in use.
The resin is the material that works like a glue to hold the carbon fibers together; when placed under heat and pressure the resin flows between all the fibers and finally hardens to create the solid carbon fiber material we are familiar with. The TPT carbon tapes used in Richard Mille cases have layers that are, on average, around 45 microns thin, or just under two-thousandths of an inch (.002”). Moving on to TPT Quartz, the construction is the same, only it is composed not of carbon fibers, but of fused quartz fibers. These fibers start out life as purified ground quartz crystals. These crystals are fused with heat and pressure to create fused quartz rods. These rods are then drawn (pulled and squished) under an oxy-hydrogen flame to create extremely long continuous fibers of fused quartz.
Traditional precious material
Yellow Gold is pure gold, which is 24 karat, that has been alloyed with other materials. This material is very gleaming and conventional, and corrosion free, but also is a very soft and may scratch and otherwise become damaged. Gold is suited for showy watches that will attract attention. They are expensive and also heavy, not suited for everyday uses, but definitely a status symbol for high-end events.
White Gold is a pure precious metal, typically combined with silver or even palladium. It’s a very popular choice, because it looks like stainless steel, but is more discreet than watches made from yellow gold - some people may mistake the two though. This material is used in high-end, luxury or even heirloom dress watches. Watches nowadays are made of 18KT (750) white gold or yellow gold. 14KT (585) is uncommon nowadays for it gold lustre is not as good as 18KT gold. But 14KT was commonly used on watch case in 1920-1960.
Amongst those material, I prefer precious traditional material, steel, Yellow Gold, Pink Gold, White gold or platinum as I do feel their existence there. Well, when you try on Richard Mille, you might feel the difference in weight. Well, to be honesty light weight is more comfortable. And there is a die-hard fan for heavy stuff like the Audemars Piguet Pounder or Brick close to one pound in weight. I am still like to have old gold Watch, that is yellow gold watch, as gold is supposed to be yellow in colour.
Still today, Patek has been the one guy to insist to use these material on their watch, Yellow Gold, White gold and platinum other than steel as the main stream of material, They have been trying to use Titanium recent years, but never do it with Carbon or ceramic case yet. As the oldest traditional watch company should be cautiously in testing the acceptance of using the new material for watch case. That may be one of the reasons people stick to Patek for their use of precious material.
On the other hand, Rolex has been following the same traditional in selecting the material Gold or steel, and never have any ceramic case not titanium case, only in exceptional case because of weight, Rolex use Titanium bottom cover on his Deep Sea model 116660, or may be doing that for skin allergy prevention.
Wood
Wood is a natural material available in different colors and grain types, which makes every watch unique. A wooden watch will age beautifully compared to other materials like metal, that can get damaged from sun and water. Plus, wood is an eco-friendly material, which is mostly sustainably sourced, so it doesn’t do any harm to nature. Wood is very durable and lightweight and develops a lustrous patina over the years. It also can be easily restored if it gets scratches or dents. If you like unique accessories that will stand out and haven’t been seen by most people, a wooden watch is a great option. List with the best wooden watches.
But wood is not good for dive watch and it is not easy made to go into deep water. Wood is not easy to be made thin and strong. So there is limitation.
Rolex is an expert in using wood as the dial material, birch, Mahogany, Oak is commonly used on its Flagship Day Date watch in 1980-1990. Now these are rare and expensive watches
Ceramic
Ceramics has a composition of zirconium oxide - a hardened form of clay. There are a number of positive aspects to watches made out of ceramics as they are heat resistant and scratch proof. This material is comfortable to use and a popular choice for luxury watches due to its long lasting shine. It is also non-porous, easy to clean, and more lightweight than most materials. Though, it is not as impact resistant as steel is. Rado used to be the first one to use Ceramic as the case material since 1980. Well, ceramic will just break leaving you with expensive repair bill, so it needs to be used very carefully. A watch made of ceramic is very expensive since it is unique and has to be custom made. Your Audemars Piguet offshore ceramic Bezel can be as expensive as US$2500 when you need to replace it if dent or broken.
Other
PVD Physical Vapor Deposition
This is a metal coating method with an added layer of either carbides, nitrides or oxides, which have an ionic attraction. It has a masculine black patina, but it’s not one of the most scratch proof materials as the original steel color may wear off due to friction or impacts. This material is best suited for sports activity watches. It will be worn off, beware.
DLC Diamond like coating
