Sunday, June 1, 2014

A Visit to Kuen Kee Watch Shop, Sham Shui Po

This is the way leading to Kuen Kee Watch Shop.



This is old building of no difference of the 60'.



Pak Hoi Restaurant staff is busily preparing dinner for the hungry Sham Shui Po
Residents who could pay only $20 for a meal.

A tank built by Land Rover with a Number 
plate of "AA79" which possibly bear the 
same price or more than the car
 itself, I asked staff of  Kuen Kee...
it is not theirs, may be it is belonging
 to one of the HK Rolex fans!



Small Side Sign Board "Kuen Kee Watches".

Another building with an external Staircases 
set up at end of Ap Liu Street.
Who could possible afford to have this
an luxury to have such a staircase anymore 
in other part of HK!?

 Carl's Saturday 30th May purchase on his targeted Air King with Final deal 
at HK$20,800. Note The Four RED Chinese Words "Guarantee Genuine Goods"
on the price Tag.

My Rolex OysterQuartz Ref 19018 with Birch
 Dial I worn, which gained a little Respect 
 by Kuen Kee Old Shop Keeper with a "Nod"!


It was a very hot day yesterday with 32 Deg C. when I visited Kuen Kee which I used to go when I have time, tough it is a bit far from the Sham Shui Po MTR station.,
Well, Sham Shui Po as I mentioned, a very interesting small district , the people are not that wealthy as average comparing with other district like Wan Chai and or Central, but those people are real and kind in nature…
I could see that some of the building resembled some of the old heritage building in Penang or Melacca, it was fun to make a visit there. Don’t just focus on treasure hunting at the Rolex Shops.
I went to Kuen Kee and I talked to the people for Submariner Hulk (ref 116610LV) which I spotted they have three on their website at HKD$84,500, to my despair, they said they have nothing, meaning that their web site is not updated periodically.
I was able to help a Swedish who bought is 2003 Air King for his wife and he could get a discount of 7.5%. from List price $22,500 down to $20,800.

So meaning that it is always true to get a discount there off the price tag from 5-10%! The old shop owner spotted my Ref 19018, he grinned and looked at me and nodded once! Is that in indication of “Salute to Rolex RolexQuartz in Birch Dial or me??  

On the way going Kuen Kee , passed Pak Hoi Street, there we can see that the small “Pak ho Restaurant(北河燒臘飯店) that the boss Chan Chuek Ming(陳灼明)was helping those poor people who could spend ONLY $20 to buy three meals which is practically impossible in HK. May be he is not earning or even I should say subsidizing it himself at all.

I am thinking if idea is supported by people who would like donate one of his Rolex collection to help the poor people or not!?
If you are buying the idea doing that, we can set up a Club to help those people. I am eager to take out one Gold Rolex to help….

PS Cut out from Pak Hoi restaurants' fb
既老闆明哥(陳灼明)為咗令深水埗好多靠綜緩既街坊可以負擔得起,多年來都堅持唔­加價,二十蚊可以食三餸飯,或者買到一大碟好餸(包括咖哩蟹),又同慈善機構合作攪飯­票,而且堅持每一個月都派一次飯俾露宿者。


HK Watch Fever
HK Kong Tsaan
HK Snob

Some Zong Zi For All Of Us, In This Dragon Boat Festival, Today!




Dragon Boat Festival also known as the Tuen Ng Festival, this special celebration falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

The story of this festival go back to when government official Qu Yan flung himself into a river in a desperate act of protest against the nation’s corruption. His supporters frantically boarded boats and attempted to rescue him, which evolved into commemorative dragon boat races.

The next time you devour some zong zi, the tasty lotus leaf-wrapped glutinous rice traditionally eaten at this time of year, remember that it is in honour of the rice people who threw them into the water to prevent fishes from nibbling on Qu Yan’s body.

Well, to the Fans of All Rolex and HK Watch Fever, we would like requested Rolex to make some of these 18KT Solid Gold Zong Zi for us!

In case who will buy 100 Rolex at a bunch… Well, That if I could be the one, I will not be uneasy talk to  Jean-Frédéric Dufour on the request.
Wish everyone could be having a peaceful day at this time of the day “Dragon Boat Festial”.

Aftermath
Friend of mine does not like the 18KT Gold Dumpling, OK I have changed to the one I ate (made by my 84 year old mother) on the Dragon boat festival and a real-meat-Dumpling for those who need to ....Taste? Hmmmmm....

HK Snob
Watch Fever

HK Kong Tsann

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Rolex Hong Kong Price Book (updated Version Sep-2013)



















Advised by one of our friends to put this Rolex Price Book onto the web site, in fact I should do long time ago.

Note

Everyone goes to Rolex AD can get one of these Price Book. It is free.

The Price list here is list price, same for all Rolex AD acorss Hong Kong. The Price is in Hong Kong Dollars.

Standard Price offer for all watched here with less 5% discount using card all types except Diners (I am not too sure certain shops May accept Diners Club Credit card)

HK Watch Fever
HK Snob





One of the a Adorable Rolex Date Just Lady 31 Ref 178341





Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Just Lady 31 Ref 178341

This is a special Rolex design outburst from the old classic traditional ways: Fluted  bezel, Jubilee Bracelet, Gold Hour index…

This is Total different way to display a new look to us…

Pink gold with Oyster Bracelet, a sets of 24 diamond of total 0.28 Carat on the bezel,  a special “VI”hour indicator formed by another set of tiny diamond, Chocolate Dial Colour unmatchable echoes with the Pink gold Two Tone Bracelet.

This is one of the most adorable Lady Watches from Rolex, my personal preference…
HK Rolex List price HKD$99,600
HK Watch Fever
HK Snobv

Friday, May 30, 2014

"The Plum is Sour becaue I don't have it!"...someone said...










Rolex Daytona top One Watch for long term value Recommended by Quark Watch Japan.

I was unable to capture this Rolex Daytona White when I was too much focused on the Black the other day.
This is in fact the Third to Daytona Black in all Listed watch Model of Rolex.

Refer to the Catalogue attached.
Daytona Black has a 12 Years guarantee value of +22.7% and 3 years for 19.8%

Whereas the White has a 12.6% for 12 years and 9.7% for 3 years which is not bad at all being a Commercial available Watch in the market, comparable o the GMT master II Black Blue ref 116710BLNR.

But don’t forget that the Black is overpriced in HK, no one could buy one with list price $87,500

At least you have to pay an extra of $6,500, that is about 7.4% of the watch List price, if that amount is offset into the three years guaranteed value, the net gain of Black is just 12.4%.
So when you see Daytona White, go buy it…

Now there is known one piece at one of the Rolex AD shops. I can hold it for two days for supporter of HK Watch Fever, WhatsApp me , First Come First Serve!

The Daytona is already assigned with a customer as of this morning 1 June 2024.

HK Snob

Watch The FIFA World Club Soccer Fever with Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono




 Fala Chen is very interested in Big Bang, at Hublot Flagship sho, Cnetral HK




Watch The 2014 FIFA (Fever) World Club at Brazil with this Hublot Big Bang Unico.
Decorated in Yellow and Green (Brazilian National Flag) in 45mm size.
It carries a Chronometer that ticks through 45 Minute period of the Soccer game, just Push a button will tell you when it is halftime, you may need this for your next week’s Visit to WATCH this FIFA in Brazil.
Price is HKD$320,000 est.
Watch Fever
Brazil Snob

Quark Rolex Watch Price On Some Of The Model Over A Period Of 3 to 12 Years





Quark Rolex Catalogue, Quark’s Evaluation on the Rolex Watch value Over a period of 3 to 12 years after new Watch Purchases.
After I published the three models that will gain value over 3-12 years as Quark has a guarantee Value over 3 and 12 years; Daytona Black Ref 116520, GMT Master II Black Blue 11671lBLNR and Submariner green Bezel and Dial Ref 116610LV.

There is a need as a request to talk about what would be the others?
These are the rest of the model that is on losing value over 3-12 years.
I put it in ascending order of value depreciation over the years.

No. 20 Submariner Stainless Steel Black 40mm With Date Ref 116610LN ($62,100)
12 year: -1%
3 year: -3.7%

No. 19 Submariner Stainless Steel Black no Date 40mm Ref 114060 ($58,000)
12 years: -3.3%
3 years: -6.5%

No. 18  GMT Master II steel Black 40mm Ref 116710LN ($61,200)
12 years : -4.8%
3 years : -7.6%

No. 17 Explorer I stainless steel 39mm Ref 214270 ($48,200)
12 years: -7.3%
3 years: -10.9%

No. 16 Explorer II stainless Steel  42mm Ref 216570 ($60,500)
12 years: -9.4%
3 years: -12.4%

No. 15 Oyster Perpetual Stainless Steel 36mm No Date Ref 116000 ($40,000)
12 years: -9.3%
3 years:n-13.6%

No. 14 Date Just Stainless Steel 36mm Smooth bezel Ref
116200 ($49,000)
12 years:-10.6%
3 years: -14.2%

No.13 DeepSea Stainless Steel, 44mm Ref 116660 ($82,500)
12 years: -11%
3 years:-14%


No.12 Milgauss Green Glass Stainless Steel 40mm Ref 116400GV ($59,600)
12 years:-12%
3 years:-14.9%

No. 11 Oyster lady Stainless Steel 26mm Smooth Bezel Ref 176200 ($36,800)
12 years:-10%
3 years:-15%

No. 10  Air King Stainless Steel No Date 34mm Smooth Bezel Ref 114200 ($38,500)
12 years: -11.7%
3 years:-16.3%

No. 9  Date Just II Stainless Steel 41mm Smooth bezel Ref 116300 ($55,500)
12 years:-12.8%
3 years: -16%

No. 8  Yacht Master Stainless Steel watch with Platinum Bezel 40mm Ref 16622 ($89,800)
12 years: -15.4 %
3 years: -17.3%

No.7  Date Just boy’s Stainless Steel 31mm Smooth Bezel Ref 178240 ($46,600)
12 years: -14.2%
3 years:-18%

No. 6  Day Date 18K yellow gold 36mm Diamond Dial, Fluted Bezel with President Bracelet Ref 118238 ($243,200)
12 years:-15%
3 years: -18.3%
 



No. 5  Oyster Date Stainless Steel 34mm Smooth Bezel Oyster Bracelet Ref 115200 ($49,000)
12 years : -15.7%
3 years: -19.4%

No. 4 Day Date II 18KT Yellow Gold 41mm Fluted Bezel with president Bracelet Ref 218238A ($248,100)
12 years: -16.2%
3 years: -19.2%


No. 3  Yacht Master II 44mm 18KT White Gold  with Oyster bracelet Ref 116689 ($339,500)
12 years: N/A
3 years: -19.3%

No. 2 Sky Dweller 18KT Yellow Gold Ref 326938 ($359,000)
12 years: N/A
3 years: -23.6%

No. 1 Oyster Perpetual Boy’s Stainless Steel 31mm Smooth Bezel Ref 177200 ($36,700)
12 years: -25%
3 years: -29.6%

Summary,
Day Date II is worst than Day Date
Date Just II is worst than Date Just
Stainless Steel Model is always Better than Gold

Recapitulated with last Post, the best Investment watch is
No.1 Rolex Daytona Black Ref 115620  (List Price $87,500, final selling price is about $94,000)
No. 2 GMT Master II Black Blue Ref 116710BLNR  (List price $65,300 less 5%)

No.3 Daytona stainless Steel White Dial Ref 116520 (List price $87,500 no Discount)
No. 4 Submariner Hulk (green dial and green bezel) ($66,100 no discount)
No. 5 and onwards , all losing value in long term…


Well, This is the market situation of Japan, as Quark has certain representative power in terms of Buying and Selling Rolex across Japan.

In HK, the No.1 to No.3 is still hardest to get, but all depends on when and which shop you stop by, and end of the month, somehow some of the best watches have to be “SOLD” as to meet the monthly sales target.

And Sooner I will see that more GMT Master Black Blue will be available in HK, as last month still we could not get 5% discount, but two weeks ago, some of the Rolex ADs are offering less 5% already.

As I always emphases, Watch is for your own uses, whatever look best to you will be the choice!
PS
Price Quoted inside the bracket is HK Rolex List Price,
HK Snob
HK Watch Fever

Thursday, May 29, 2014

How to Start using your Rolex Watch after Purchase?




Friends of mine came to me asking why is Rolex is not running after he has bought it from Rolex AD!

By Rolex Suggestion
When watch has been stopped fully for more than two days.
It will be necessary to manually wind your newly purchased watch before wearing in order to fully charge the movement and to guarantee that it will run properly.

Unscrew the crown to the winding position and turn the crown clockwise approximately 40 times. Don’t forget to screw the crown back in tightly before wearing.

It applies not just Rolex, but other mechanical Movement Auto Watches.

HK Snob
Watch Fever

Cyclops (Date Magnifier Lens) Removal On Your Rolex's Crystal




There has been argument between a man and a Watch seller in Ap Liu Street, the man said the Cyclops of Rolex Sapphire is made by using adhesive to stick on the Sapphire crystal, While the watch shop keeper said impossible that a HKD$60,000 Rolex using glue to stick the Magnifying glass on the watch!?

Whilst I was there, I said yes, Rolex uses glue to stick the Cyclops onto the sapphire crystal!

The Answer is older Plastic Crystal (before 1977) was made by compression molding method as one piece from a mold.

The one using Synthetic sapphire crystal is stuck on Cyclops Lens (size 5.5mm x 7.2mm) using Adhesive  onto the crystal, as that is very expensive and tedious to made one solid sapphire crystal  coming with the magnifying glass, that is pure cost concern.

The way to remove the Cyclops is simple using a gas lighter torch, heat directly on top of the Cyclops for 2 seconds, and then use a small sharp culler blade to remove it…
Refer to this video to see how easy it could be done!

 
HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

Rumour of Asian Delivered Rolex is Assembled in Singapore and Only European Rolex is made 100% in Switzerland!

There is different channels from those Local Tour guides saying that Rolex bought from HK is having a QC in Singapore, meaning that they are Swiss CKD (A knock-down kit is a kit containing the parts needed to assemble a product.) and Assembled into Watch cases in Singapore and ship to Asian Countries Like HK, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Also there is another Rumour saying that Only Rolex Watch Distributed in Europe is 100% made in Rolex Factory in Switzerland…

From my best of my knowledge, these above two statement is FALSE and totally WRONG as far as I know all Rolex watches so far is still assembled in Swiss factory.

If that is the case, no one will come to HK to buy the Rolex in HK!  And I am sure Rolex will not be so stupid to do so, for what reason? Cost? Very Higher to ship watches to Singapore to do final Assembly, no way and no reason to do so.

All I can say is the unprofessional and Un-responsible local Tour guide has linked up with commission system so they have to sell as many as they can While you are in Switzerland… But for Singapore Local Tour guide, they kill the Singapore Rolex market, why they have to say so!? I cannot figure out why!?

Back in 1980, some of the Rolex gold bracelets were ever made in Hong Kong and Taiwan, even though not all of them are made in the Asia. However, they found that this was not good as there would have a lot of local made and Swiss made gold bracelet that causes confusion and lost of IP and not long later , all gold bracelet manufacturing process were shipped back to Switzerland… Since then Until now All Rolex watch case, movement and bracelet are assembled in Rolex Factory in Switzerland. Those included the other movement supported by Zenith El Primero for Rolex’s Daytona before 1999.

Correct me if I am Wrong…
HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

A Rare Rolex Day Date 1803 Door-Step Dial in Excellent Condition





Door-Step Dial Day Date Ref 1803


A Rare Door-step Dial of Rolex Day Date 1803, with Paper and Hermes (Colour) Strap Available for your girl friend, I am afraid she wouldn't have an excuses saying no to accept this as her next birthday's gift!
HK Snob

Monday, May 26, 2014

Nominated by Quark Rolex Japan, these are the Top Four New Rolex Watch Investment for next 3-12 years… that they Guarantee Value Appreciation





Nominated by Quark Rolex Japan, these are the Top Three Rolex Investment for next 3-12 years… that they Guarantee Appreciation.

In fact, only these three models can appreacite over the years, the rest, Yacht Master, Date Just, Day Date, SkyDweller, DeepSea, all goes Depreciation over the years.


Summary
Top 1 Daytona Black Stainless steel Ref 116520, the preferable Year 2000 watch A-series.
3 years gain 20% and over the year Quark speculate a Gain of 23%.




Second is GMT Master Ref 116710 BLNR – 2014 New.





Third is Daytona White Ref 115620 Daytona, rare but as of today we have one at one of the Rolex AD in
Hong Kong HKD$87,500 nett.



Fourth is the Beyond Rare Ref 116610LV Submariner
So next time when you spot a watch in the Shop, you should Buy it!


Availability in HK
Last week HKIA Rolex has both White and Black Daytona, A Watch fever Fan bought one WHITE, he was very happy as he bought it at List price HKD$87,500, in fact there is Black but he liked White more...

GMT Master II Ref 11671) BLNR, as of Today as far as I know not so many shop has stock, wait for week end stock replenishment.

Submariner Ref 116610LV, a Hate and Love watch, when I have stock, everyone says skip it, let go.... when there is no stock, everyone say’ I love to have it…please find one for me... :)

So, please do not ask me about this watch anymore, if you want to buy, Go to Wing Kwong at Sino Centre MK, I saw two on last Saturday "New" as they said...

And Also Lung Shing at Cheung Sha Wai, I saw two on Sunday Afternoon 25 May with paper and box!
Price HKD$65,500 (if I can member Correctly)

Watch Fever
HK Snob
PS Quark is a Chain Rolex Store in Japan , they have 12 Shops in different location
Visit their Website http://www.909.co.jp 

Sunday, May 25, 2014

In "Tokarev", Nicolas Cage wears an U Boat





Tokarev is an American action crime thriller film directed by Paco Cabezas and written by Jim Agnew and Sean Keller. The film stars Nicolas Cage. Paul (Nicolas) who worn three different watches. One of them is U boat. The rest is unable to tell.
Nicolas Cage is one of my favourite actors.



Other Big Fans of U-boat

I Don't like the ending of this movie Paul killed himself using Samurai's hara-kiri! L
HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

Thursday, May 22, 2014

What is the upper limit of an Overseized watch!?





When did the watchmaking world accept the mantra of “The Larger is better”?

I’m a big fan of vintage watches, and find that a slim Audemars Piguet of 34 mm, I don’t mine the Royal Oak Jumbo 39 mm,  a Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso of middle size, Rolex Day Date of 36 mm, Vacheron Constantin Overseas in 36 mm diameter looks perfectly for me.

Back to 80’s started as a fashion from Italy, men wore lady watch, I like the Boy Size Rolex too at that time...

No one know exactly when? May be 1995 and onward, some of the watch makers  tended to make watches of big size, massive, with thick metal, big Crown, complex Crown Guard lock up mechanism, wider strap of thicker material like your leather belt on your trousers!

Oh! it is a watch….It does hurt the feeling some of the fine Swiss watch makers used to make thinner and smaller watch movement?

I always appreciate thin manual winding watch that is below 5 mm, or an Automatic watch that is below 7 mm thick… they all look great! I believe many watch collectors agree what I am trying to say…

My point is,  say technically the bigger the watch, the easier it is made! The Higher the Profit margin only.

Nowadays, the watch goes crazy  with OVERSIZED diameter of 42 mm, 45 mm, 47 mm, 50 mm even 60 mm!? Is there a limit? 80 mm? or even 100 mm?

Is that a watch anymore? Who can use them? I believe you have to mount it on top of your sleeve. How can you INSERT that monster under the sleeve, particularly how when peeking from under a dress shirt cuff.  

I understand that sometimes it is hard to go against the current on what the trend of the majority of populace is. Like the width of the tie, the width of the collars, the diameter of your trousers bottom, type of glasses, hair style unless you want to stand out at the crowd as WEIRD, ABSURD, a DIFFERENT Look! But for an Oversized Watch, yes ,it would get someone’s response of “ WOW!!”

Sometimes it is needed for bigger watch as it can display more functions on it. It is easier for the older person to read.

Every time I go into a watch store to look at their wares, seems the watch grows bigger every year and next year’s flagship model will be the size of a coffee mug, or Wall Clock. There may be some complications that require such size and depth, but for the vast majority of populace that can’t afford or doesn’t want a Richard Mille, do we really need to carry an Anchor of harbor tug boat on our wrist to be considered a member of the horological caste?  

Well, since 2 years ago, it is nice to see some of the GOING SMALLER watch trend for lady…

WATCH is a reflection of your taste and Character… if you like is , no one would not disagree!

What if Rolex make facelifting design on Daytona with a Size of 46 mm, will you consider it a Future Classic!?

Yes, many people will buy if there is such a watch, but Rolex is very conservative to launch a big step changes on size.

For every 5 Day Date sold, only one Day Date II was bought by Asian, DD II may look matched for 6 footer.

Rolex biggest watch is yacht Master II of 44 mm, which is only 5 mm larger than the AP Royal Oak Jumbo 39 mm created 42 years ago!

My favourite Rolex size is 36 mm for me, and I think 31 mm is best for lady. Simply the Divine Proportions tell us....

HK Snob
HK Watch Fever