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Friday, December 2, 2011

The Most Beautiful Daytona?



This is the Rolex Daytona that has the perfect match colour of Gold and Black. Solid Gold case with Black Dial and Black Bezel, The ratio of Black and Gold is approximtely 50/50. That has a very unchanting charms, seems like the Yi and Yang of Taoist philospphy, an unison harmony!
It is not the most expensive Daytona, but Definitely the most beautiful Daytona!
HK Snob

Women and their watches









From Top to bottom

Elle Macpherson

Bar Refaeli
Brookyln Decker

Elle Macpherson

January Jones

Elle Macpherson

They all wear Rolex Daytona! But i do doubt who has looked at their watch?

HK Snob

What Watches Victoria and David Beckham wear?



David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on 1st Dec for an exhibition game against the Philippine Azkals at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Dec , 3 2011. He worn a Rolex 18KT Yellow Gold Daytona!
How About Victoria? Guess what!? yes, Rolex Daytona!
Manila Snob

Rolex Daytona



The World most famous iconic Rolex Daytona was unleashed to the world in the early 1960′s and has become an object of affection many watch aficionado.
The watch became known as the Daytona, named for Daytona Beach in Florida which was home to some of the biggest names in auto racing. The watches were popular in the racing community because of their usefulness in calculating average lap speed.
Early Movement was from Zenith El Primero, later on 2002, Rolex developed his own Movement 4130.
Although Rolex continues to manufacture a version of the “Daytona”, the rarest versions of the Rolex Daytona are the first versions, those whose reference number contains four digits, for example the 6238, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6262, 6263 6264 and 6265 References, produced from 1961 to 1987. Early models were available in dial configurations that were black with white registers or cream with black registers. They were dubbed the Paul Newman models and are in high demand even today! The most expensive one is Cosmogrpah so call “Red Daytona” Ref 6265, very few samples were made in 1980. It was sold in auction with USD$170,600.00. Famous F1 Driver Sir Jackie Stewart sued wear Daytona. How about you!?

HK Snob

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Rolex probably has the Lowest TCO






















Fake RolexYou can find fake designer and luxury products just about anywhere these days, and most people consider owning one a harmless transgression. After all, if you were never going to pay HKD$80,000 for a real Rolex, who is really hurt if you wear a fake that cost you HKD$350? Rolex didn’t really lose a sale, right? It turns out that the victim of the “crime” may be none other than you!
Research
An Interesting research project has demonstrated that the act of wearing a fake designer item actually causes an individual to behave in a more unethical and cynical manner. The study was started by giving a group of young female subjects expensive Chloé sunglasses to wear. These glasses were actually all authentic products, but half of the subjects were told that they were wearing a fake.

Fake Watch and Dishonest manner
In subsequent testing the subjects wearing the “fake” sunglasses were more than twice as likely to cheat on a math test (71% vs 26%) when they thought their cheating would not be detected. Another test showed that the subjects wearing “fake” sunglasses judged other people as more likely to behave in a dishonest manner.
It isn’t uncommon to see a lot of Fake Rolexes in HK. Are People wearing Fake product will likely been suspected that they have tendency to cheat! There is report saying that wearing Fakes makes one feel like a phony.

Why Fake
So why do people wear Fake Rolex, Louis Vitton, Gucci, Hermes?! I have some assumptions, young kids like to show to his class of friend he is able to use expensive luxury products. That is the fact HK judges people by their appearance! Someone said the Luxury goods would bring them with confidence, true!?
No, As still many people in HK do not like Rolex, they have two groups of people, one who can not afford to buy one and they probably never can, so they do not like this kind of Products,
Another one is who is too rich and probably they would not like to use anything at all as they are not extravaganza to them.
Watch, they drop Rolex, go for Patek Philippe
Car, they drop Porsche, go for Ferrari
Pen, they drop Montblanc, they go for Namiki…
Some watch collectors do not collect Rolex as they said that Rolex is too basic for them, , their preference is Something else. I had friend that obvious he announce he hates Rolex!! He is an Anti_Rolex_Actvist! Anyway, he is one of the minority only.
My comment
A watch got to be very dependable, accurate, trouble free, rugged, comfortable to wear,
Has a Swiss tradition, has successful story behind, affordable and reasonable pricing.
My preference is still solid gold watch like Day Date, as it is cheap to own cheap to use,
And never prone to have problem…


TCO
TCO means “Total Cost of Ownership”
A term to defends semiconductor equipment value.
TCO (total cost of ownership) is a type of calculation designed to help consumers and enterprise managers assess both direct and indirect costs and benefits related to the purchase of any IT component or semiconductor manufacturer equipment. The intention is to arrive at a final figure that will reflect the effective cost of purchase, all things considered Such as:
Cost of the instrument- Lowest price for a Solid gold watch
Output of the equipment- Rolex Never let you down
MTBA (Mean time between assistance) longer the better, Rolex seldom fail
MTTR (mean time to Repair) shorter the better, Two Weeks Maximum to repair in Rolex Service Centre HK for normal Failure… Some other Swiss Brand took me 5 Month to overhaul a watch!!
Repair Cost- Rolex seems is very reasonable. Normal Repair is approx. HKD$1500, Some of the Swiss Watch (Not Rolex) can ask for HKD$50,000 for a overhaul, no damages at all.
Down Time, Lower better, for watch, should be “Zero”
Rolex has a super high value even using for many years, it does not lose face when you wear your grand-pa’ Milgauss or Daytona. Will You!, if yes, give them to me!
Rolex is All Season, All Weather, all occasions partner for you!
Rolex is beautiful…

Conclusion
As a Conclusion, In my humble opinion, Rolex has the Lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

PSI do not have any connection with Rolex Watch Company, agent and or Rolex AD, I just express my personal comment on Rolex!
HK Snob

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Underestimated Rolex Turn-O-Graph








Initially, the Rolex Turn-O-Graph was launched in 1953 as an adventure watch. Although it was discontinued in the early 1960s due to the success of the Submariner and GMT as sport watches that overshadowed this model, Turn-O-Graph is a fantastic vintage model especially those few before 1960 worth collecting. Today, a similar model still manufactured is the new Oyster Perpetual Datejust Turn-O-Graph Ref 116264.
History
The Rolex Turn-O-Graph reference 6202 was first produced in 1953. Basic design objective of Turn-O-Graph was to add a feature concept of timing by means of the rotatable bezel is described as “a reminder of times past, for phone calls, conferences, timing parking and countless other usages” In fact, this was the advertising campaigns in a Rolex catalogue of the time present the 6202 on the wrist of an airline passenger.
Turn-O-Graph Chronometer
Only very few models are certified chronometers. From the second half of the 1950s the Pencil hands were replaced by the more modern Mercedes hands and the A296 was replaced by the new A260 calibre. On the first models the word Turn-O-Graph is at the 12 o’ clock position with obvious spacing between the words Oyster and Perpetual, whilst on the following models the name is at the 6 o’ clock position and the distance between Oyster and Perpetual is of the standard size. The Turn-O-Graph is available only in steel whilst the dial is glossy or honeycomb finished, with gold writing in both cases
Turn-O-Graph 1954-1960
The production of the line ended at the beginning of the 1960s, after the trial and error to test the market acceptance, without being replaced, making way for the more successful and rich Rolex Datejust Turn-O-Graph series, of which the first model was the 6309. This 1954 model is characterized by a rotatable graduated in a similar way to the rare Turn-O-Graph 6202 De Luxe model and is made only in gold (14kt and 18kt, yellow or rose) or in steel / gold.
In 1956 the 6309 was substituted by the reference 6609 with the new 1065 Calibre which was characterized by both a flatter case-back with concentric circle polishing and a pie-pan dial lacking fixing pins. The hour markers and hands have a characteristically 1950s design and the date numbers alternate between red and black.
The Turn-O-Graph is made in a rare De Luxe version as well, with a honeycomb dial, appliqué hour markers, rotatable bezel and gold crown. Even some Datejust models, nicknamed Turn-O-Graph, have this particular bezel. .
Thunderbird
The 6309 is known as the Thunderbird as well, from the name of the acrobatic squadron of the US Air Force which took this watch on as their official timepiece.
The Earliest Version of Rolex Turn-O-Graph
Since it was marketed as an adventure watch, it was equipped with a water resistant to a depth rating to 165 feet. If you are lucky enough, you may come across this model with 165 feet engraved on it. This is because very few versions of this model actually bore it, and such a watch has become collectible.
Latest Turn-O-graph
The most sought-after references for this model are: Rolex Turn-O-Graph Ref. 16264-116264. Classic watch collection. The best Seller is Black Dial, white Dial and Then blue, they are all same price if the other options remain unchahged.
Collector’s Item
When More Red Colour on Dial, the Hotter the sought-after Model on all Rolex
The Ferrari Red Dial Cosmograph Daytona Ref 6265 made in 1980s hit a record of US$170,600 and Ferrari Red Dial Rolex Ref 1803 Day Date would trigger an Auction price of US$40,000.
Now you can buy a Rolex Watch that has A Glittering Red Second Pointer, a Red description words of “Turn-O-Graph” and a Red Date Display.
After Daytona and YachtMaster, Turn-O-Graph is using solid Steel as for the Strap. Water Resistant to 50M. a New Dress Watch with Three Red, Red “Turn-O-Graph” Red “pointer” and Daring Red “Date”
If you had already a Standard Date Just, a Day Date, a Sub, and GMT… probably you may add this time in your Collection: Turn-O-Graph.
HK Snob

What's the difference between acrylic, mineral, and sapphire crystals?

The see through window above the dial is commonly interpreted as Crystal.

An acrylic watch crystal is a kind of plastic, being ductile, which has the advantage of being resistant to shattering, but prone to be scratched quite easily. Fortunately, scratches can be easily removed from acrylic. See Note*1 below for rework.
Mineral crystal is a kind of glass, which is more scratch resistant than acrylic, but not as as good as sapphire. Mineral crystals are also somewhat better at shatter resistance compared with sapphire. Unlike acrylic, scratches in mineral glass are more difficult to buff out; and unlike sapphire, mineral glass will scratch. In my opinion, the mineral crystal seems to be a poor compromise between the two extremes.
A sapphire crystal is indeed made of synthetic sapphire industrially, which is a transparent form of corundum, or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). It is extremely hard (Moh's scale 9), theoretically it will resist scratching by most substances short of diamonds. However, if it is struck sharply from the right direction, sapphire will crack. Despite the relatively large size compared with sapphire gemstones, sapphire crystals aren't very expensive (approx. $20). However some of the curved synthetic sapphire can be a few time more expensive as due to the manufacturability.
A cheap Fake watch usually used Mineral Crystal which is not as clear and transparent as the Synthetic sapphire. This is one of the way the tell this is Grade B or Grade A Fake Watch. Some grade A Fake watch uses synthetic Sapphire!
Attached Picture is a Older Rolex Day Date Ref. 1803 dated 1972 which was only having
Acrylic Crystal, where the newer Day Date Ref 18338 dated 2003 on the right is using Synthetic Sapphire.
Rolex Acrylic Crystal is just HKD$250 and a Synthetic Sapphire is approximately HKD$900.
A Rolex Acrylic Crystal is warmer and the new synthetic Sapphire is cooler when you place you watch to you cheek.. some of the people prefer the older watch just because they warm they are warmer….more closer to the skin temperature!
Note*1
How do I remove the scratches from an acrylic crystal?
Good old-fashioned toothpaste is a good start. Start by buffing a little bit onto a clean fine cloth over the area of the scratch. Rub lightly, and rinse with a very slightly damp cloth. Repeat until scratches are gone.
Note that there are also purpose-made polishes for this purpose, such as Polywatch , Crystal-Kleer or Brasso. Tsim Sha Tsui Snob

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Orient Manual Calendar Automatic Watch



This is a large size 40mm Calendar Automatic watch, 100m Water Resistant, made by Orient Watch Co. Japan.
The Display here on the picture is 2011 Nov 27 Sunday… Well, of course this is not perpetual calendar. What Can you expect with HKD$1280!? I bought it at Dundas Street when I Passed by this undistinguished watch shop. Let me check the accuracy of it.
Dundas Street Snob

What is The best Collectible Rolex We should Buy Today?





You want to tell about which current model Rolex is the most collectable? And which model is the best selling from each brand? First, best-selling and collectable almost rule each other out. The truly collectable Rolex watches that fetch the highest prices are those that were produced in a very small series or even had a manufacturing default. So Does it mean a Platimum Rolex Date Day is the best Collectible. I don't think so.
A Collectible watch may contain or fulfill this factors:
Always having a Good Movement
A Good technologic Achievement
A Memorial item
A limited number of production A Must
A Hit watch at certain time later, retro Style
Not necessary Beautiful.
A Good Brand Value, Always important factor.
A Rolex Date Day is A Beautiful good Technological Achievement as it is Flag ship of Rolex
But does not mean it is Collectible as generally they are made in Volume production.
It's similar to stamps. The run of the mill stamps are worth nothing. The odd misprint can be worth millions because they are so rare.
Rolex is an ideal case for that because they produce industrially. Thus in principle you don't get collectability from Rolex watches. However, certain versions stand out and are indeed super desirable (Black Explorer, Vanilla Sub, Comex Sub , Paul Newman Daytona, McQueen Explorer II, Ferrari Red Dial). Rolex are industrial but some rare one off watches will fetch up to HKD$1,000,000. The opposite are super rare Patek Philippe 1953 World Time Enamel watches. There are only 3 per pieces. The highest price was around $4 million. This proves that rarity and technical complexity as well as aura are the driving factors in collectability and value.
Thus it is for watches. New collectors should do their own research and they should march to the beat of their own drummer when it comes to collecting watches, but there are still some general trends, histories and situations that influence the long term values of many watch brands and many models of movements.
So what is the Best Collectible Rolex that we should Buy today!?
Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610LV Green bezel green dial
Rolex Explorer II Ref 216570 Orange pointer Black Dial


This is My Suggestion only!
HK Snob

What is the best Selling Model for Rolex In HK?

The Most recognizable Rolex Model is no question the Fluted Bezel Date Just or the Day Date. As the Fluted Bezel stands out amongst the rest of the watch as an Icon of Rolex.
Rolex never published their sales figure on models, base on my understanding, it is estimated that 60% of Rolex watches sold are some versions of the Date Just.
Best Sportive model is Submariner, but it comes with one size, where Date Just comes with 3 sizes Men, Boy (mid) and lady, till 2009 that they introduced the Ref. 116334 Rolex Date Just for men 41mm size. So there are 4 sizes for Date Just, plus a few variants for different strap available, and the material for watch stainless steel, two tones, and Rose gold Two Tone. This creates a lot of variants for different people who does like his style and models. This Successful Strategy makes Rolex Date Just the Most Successful Model.
A Rough estimation this is the best Selling Model in HK
1. Men Stainless Steel Date Just Ref. 116234
2. Men Two Tone stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Date Just Ref. 116233
3. Men Two Tone stainless Steel and Rose Gold Date Just Ref. 116231 mainly because of the Chinese. The Date Just occupies approximately 50% of total Rolex Sales in HK.
The Submariner is very popular for professional divers, youth and sportive woman, celebrity and movie star. Since it has only one size, due to the effect of the Divers, Professionals, executives and Celebrities, Movies Star, the Sales is keep up with the Date Just, but due to one model only, their sales is approximately 6% of Total Rolex Sales units. The Third best Selling model is Explorer II.
So How About Date Day, as you know, Date Day is the flag Ship of All Rolex, only Gold is available, that has been marked as the Icon of the Big Brother’s watch, Presidents watch, CEO, CTO best favourite watch, as no one can afford if you are not the manager’s in the company, and in fact this gives Date Day a image of Older men’s watch. Yes, I seldom seeing men wears a Date Day if he is younger than 40’s.., So Date Day becomes a Status of Watch in your career.
HK Snob