Breitling Chrono Cockpit, A watch for the Pilot

This is the watch of a UK friend Alf.... A Breitling Chrono Cockpit.

I have seen a lot of pilot wearing Breitling. Usually they are big, complicated on the dial, a lot of functions that they know me, but I do not know them..  This is a typical chrono with traditional design of placing the three indicators in the triangular shape of position.

Beautifully polished bezel and strap...good for man with a large wrist...but not for A typically stocky Chinese like me...

HK Snob

Cartier Tank Santos

This is a Cartier, lady watch with a new installed Leather strap for She3rd.
This is not a pure gold version, instead this is vermeil with 925 Silver case and plated with 20 micron 18 CT Gold.
It is an elegant small watch for woman. I had another smaller one made with 18 CT Solid gold, but sold some three years ago...

HK Snob

Rolex OysterQuartz

I had a Two Tone Rolex OysterQuartz some 12 years ago, It is a massive, heavy and accurate watch for your daily use.
If you do not mind the use of quartz circuit board inside the helmetically seal Oyster case to be your watch, this is your choice. It is rare as 98% of Rolex lover uses Mechanical watch movement only.
I like the case design as it is rugged and heavy duty.
HK Snob

Rolex Oyster 67480

This is a 98% new Rolex 67840 I bought from friend of mine today.
Very good S/N: T83X313..
Excellent condition, slightly used only, with orginal box and Certificate. Only HKD$11,000.00

HK Snob

Rolex Milgauss

A San Francisco Celebrity showed me his new bought Rolex Milgauss.
I was shocked to see that it was not a genuine Rolex...  But I had to scrutinize carefully before I told him the fact.

These are the picture I took on his watch.
The "Rolex" font is a bit not same as the original, you may compare with the Original Picture of Milgauss from Rolex Website.
The fake one does not look as shinny as the genuine one.

The above picture is the fake Rolex friend of mine bought somewhere

The Gap between Letter L and E are so close, not as the genuine one that has a bigger gap

The X of Rolex has a slimmer slash on the genuine one and the fake one has both slash of similar width

The Rolex Oyster laser making inside the bezel is not as deep and as clear as the genuine.

The hour hand and Minute hand of the fake one is too long!

The orange second number of the genuine one is locatd middle between the edge of the bezel and the Rolex Crown whereas fake one, the Numbe is loacted much closer to the Rolex Crown!

In Short good quality stuff can not be copied...

Next time when you buy Rolex, make sure you go to the authorized watch shop.

HK Snob

Zenith El Primero Watch

Zenith El Primero is definitely an accurate watch as it runs at a frquency of 36,000.
This is a manual winding watch with transparant base. A Collectible item.

HK Snob

AP Royal Oak calibre 2120 and 3120

2008 Royal Oak

1972 First General Royal Oak

Copy Right of HK Snob

Calibre 2120

Audemars Piguet is one of the leading houses in the Swiss watchmaking industry. Frequently referred to as one of the "Big Four," the manufactory not only has a glorious past, but a healthy present and a promising future. it's even more difficult to imagine which of the two possible primary priorities they would emphasize: a very thin and elegant movement, or something slightly larger and more rugged? The ideal solution for use in all AP models may be a combination of both, and the relatively large watches of today provide an opportunity for AP's engineers to synthesize these two goals. With this in mind, it was naturally an exciting opportunity to introduce a pre-series example of the brand new, 40 jewels, automatic AP caliber 3120. In fact, the cal. 3120 possesses 45 jewels, but because the jewels under the date wheel, by industry protocol, are not included in the final published jewel count, the "official" jewel count is "only" 40) This new AP creation are dominated by the wonderfully "sculpted" rotor, which is entirely made of 22K gold - a first for AP. The shape of the rotor is unusual, forming an arc of about 110 degree whereas the usual shape is closer to 180 degrees. While quite beautiful, the shape of the 3120's rotor is predicated on physics, not art. The weight of the rotor is double that of the calibre 2120's rotor and coupled with its smaller circumference (1/3 compared to the cal 2120's 1/2) most of its mass, and correspondingly, its center of gravity, are further from the point of rotation, which should produce extremely efficient winding. The inner part of most rotors are relatively thin and necessitate a riveted or screw mounted weight on the outer diameter. In contrast, AP's rotor is crafted of a single solid piece with a comparatively thick inner part. The thickness of the rotor increases towards the outer edge in two steps, following the shape of the bridges. The clearance between the oscillating weight and the bridges is remarkably small. This, together with the decoration representing the Audemars and Piguet family crests in relief, leaves an impression which may be best described as massive. This impression is consistent throughout the entire movement; even though the 3120 is smaller than the 2120, any part of the main structure (such as the bridges and plates) seem to be made of a solid block rather than from a thin sheet. Additionally, the 3120 is a more efficient design, sporting a larger balance and barrel within a smaller area, which are performance-improving features. In view of this, and bearing in mind that the movement height of 4.25mm isn't very flat, I have to say that it is perhaps one of the most elegant and well proportioned movements I've ever seen. Calibre 3120 Any of the few additional fractions of a millimeter in height was a great investment when AP had the chance to determine the final thickness of the new movement. Even though the general appearance of the movement is most elegant and well proportioned, I did not find a section or part that caused even the slightest doubts in terms of its reliability, stability and structural strength. Apparently, reliability was among the top aims during the development of caliber 3120. I really admire the way they achieved this and I'm sure it will be a new benchmark for quality among contemporary automatic movements. For sure some may regard some of the elaborate details to be familiar, and well known from other manufacturers, but the combination of so many engineering solutions in a single movement, which is so well proportioned, is a really great success. If I had to express my thoughts in one short comment, I'd say: "this is, at the same time a rugged, reliable sports watch movement, and a classic, beautiful dress watch movement". Specification comparison Comparison between 1972 and 2008 AP Royal Oak Automatic watch 1975 Overall Thickness 7.00 mm Gold rim rotor Diameter 0f 29mm Solid gold base hermetically sealed Non screwed crown 2008 Overall thickness 9.1mm 22 KT rotor Stainless steel case, Pink Gold and Solid Gold version transparent sapphire caseback Diameter of 39mm rated water resistance to 50m. Crown, Hands and hour markers in facetted 18kt gold for SS Version 40 jewels Wearing Comparison The new one has a brand new double deployant three blade clasp for the bracelet model. The 1972 is more comfortable and easy to wear. The new model has a new push to release snug which cause irritation to my wrist! I prefer the old one for wearing. Since the old one is made of 18 Ct gold, it is more massive and heavy thought it is thinner. The New one is no question all weather sportive dress watch. The Old ne is the all time Classic of Royal Oak. Well, to be honest, there is no way to select which one is better. Functionality wise, New one is better as it is waterproof to 50M. Wearability the old one is superb. Investment value, old one is better. I think this new caliber has the potential to prove it worthy to join the pantheon of "the greatest automatic movements ever made." The only thing is to buy them both! And I have both finally! HK Snob

Omega Chronograph

This is an Omega Chronograph, made in the 40-50's , Solid 18 Ct gold...with orginal Certificate!
Everything is orginal.

Kowloon Snob

Gerald Genta, a Master Watch Designer and his best watch design in 70's

These two watches are probably the best design in the 20th Century and I am sure that there is not much you can tell on how to perfect the design further more. The Royal Oak AP was the design of Gerald Genta in 1972, employed the Britsih Royal Navy Royal Oak that has an octoganal Shaped window made of Oak. 8 Tiny screws to lock up the bezel onto the dial airtight!The first time to use Stainless steel on his top of the line watch instead of precious metal. 60's and 70's is the time for all sport orientated design watches. These are ten best popular sportive watches in the 70's. They are still the Hot Top watch line of these Makes! Why!? Because 60's 70's is the best year for almost all kind of design!

Marantz 10B FM Tunner- the best FM tuner ever made

Mckntosh 500WattX2 Power Amplifier- the Most Powerful amplifier.

Advent 201 cassette decksStereophile1973

Linn Sondek LP12 turntable design and made the first best Turn table in 1972, until now it is still the top Ten Turn tables for Vinyl Lovers.
Magnepan Magneplanar Timpani Loudspeaker1973 - best Static Loudspeaker!?
BBC LS3/5A loudspeakersFirst 1977 - Sure this is the HK people favourite Book shelf Loudspeaker.
Spendor BC1 loudspeaker 1977 Designed by the late Spencer Hughes after he left the BBC
Yamaha NS1000 loudspeaker1975
Advent 201 cassette decksStereophile 1972
Back to the watches, , these are some of the best watches in the 70's Audemas Piguet Royal Oak

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Vacheron Constantine Overseas

IWC Ingenieur

Girard- Perregaux Laureato

Omega Speedmaster Professional

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Omega Seamaster 1200 Ploprof

Rolex Explorer II

Tag Heuer SilverStone

Baume & Mercier Riviera

Bvlgari Bulgari Bulhari

I think these are the great Classic and some of them still top of the model currently!The reason is that they are the best design and best product...

As for the AP, is is a classic for sport, as a dress watch, you can wear it everyday, it is reliable, beautiful and a perpetual Pretty Watch!My one is a Solid Gold verison which I think only a few left in the world as in the 1970's Only rich people would buy a Gold Rolex, a AP solid gold? People would be a bit hesitate as I think that we a price that could buy a small Flat in HK!?In 1976 PP Developed the Nautilus Line which they had requested Gerald Genta to design for them, again Gerald Genta... Soon afterward, the GP Laureato was modified by Gerald to give some touch up on the design.So you see Gerald Genta is the best designer and what he created is two of the best Four Watch in the World , which, his design remains the Top of the line for PP and AP and they are the Classic for Tomorrow! HK Snob

Cartier ID One Concept Watch

I like Mechanical watches as they are made by tedious effort as the Swiss finest grail of horological pursuits. Most of the mechanical watches is always repairable, not like some of the quartz watch that the microprocessor chip may be dead after 45 years due to the copper diffusion up to the gold plated PCB substrates, or the moisture absorption of the PCB that causes Oxidation on the electrical joints? But somehow your mechanical watch though is sealed in a sturdy case; completely no moisture can enter, after many years of operation, the finest smooth surface will have more or less some accumulated wear and tear, the finest grade lubrication oil made from Whale, the oil would dry after years of temperature changes and ten million of mechanical contacts. Cartier is a name used to be linked up with Beautiful design, inlayed with a lot of diamonds, using a lot of different precious metal to build their watches. A “appearance of badly twisted watch” that has laid with some diamonds in a quartz movement can be selling at HKD$500,000.00. And who cares it is built with what kind of watches movement inside the beautiful cases, Cartier, Piaget, ETA, Jaeger … For years the Cartier is not a leader for his watches accuracy, precision and mechanical design excellence. Time has changed; Cartier is seeking all ways for build up a technological level to come in par with the best Swiss watch makers. Is there a need to create complete service free, adjustment free watch and requires no regulation during the whole life of the watch?! In fact this is the design concept of this Watch.. ID One from Cartier, ID means Innovation Development No. 1! We can see a lot of new technology was built in this Balloon Bleu shaped 46mm wide Concept watch in spacey sounding material called Niobium Titanium, a kind of Titanium Alloy that goes well with your skin, highly resistant to the your sweat, light and yet strong! Zerodur Hairspring that is made of Ceramic and Glass that is insensitive to change of temperature, no effect under magnetic field, an essential factor for good time keeping ability. Cartier has applied Carbon Crystal to make the balance wheel, escape wheel and lever. Carbon Crystal is a diamond-like material with adorable hardness. And no need to be lubricated. Cartier has equipped the Id one with an exclusive escapement cage that is effectively shock resistant; they use the most common plastic like material to act as shock absorber to the escapement cage. Plastic in a watch, that has is not new already as AP has been broadly introduced many colorful plastic like material for building their watches! But Honestly, I still feel that Plastic inside the watch may not be good enough to give ma a kind of secure feeling that the Plastic would not deformed after years, would not be creating some plastic debris that would be a kind of contamination to the watch. And this kind of technology would be one day able to use Machine to turn out part in a second and then the people would just have to assemble the pieces one by one and that wild be a Swiss watch you can only buy years of your salaries! Will that day come? I am sure that it might be soon!!? So Please keep you Patek Philippe in a good condition as the price will be appreciate even faster after 20 years, only you have to worry there may not be many good skillful mechanics that can take care your watch as it was built 40 years Ago.

HK Snob

Champange Court

This is a place that most of the camera collectors should know. We had been buying camera in the 70's in Champange Court. Recently there are a lot of new Watch shop selling new and used watches there.
A lot of local and or foreigners come to shop watches there. There are about 10 Watch shop and about 8 camera shops there.

It is just beside Mira Hotel at Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station with Exit to Kimberley Road.

HK Snob

Piaget and Verachon Constantin Thin Watches

Super thin watch is hard to build, though there is no complicated function, since 1960, I started to appreciate thin watch as my father tough me the difficulties in making thin watch.


Nowadays, the watch are huge and thick, I really do not appreciate them.. If the watch trend is big, OK we can make it big, but Do not make it so thick, as this is too easy to make…

SIHH 2020 watch show is ready and we can see Piaget and Vacheron Constantin are preparing some of the simple but ultra thin watch to be displayed.

Piaget has been using painstaking effort in making thin watch since 1957. the 2 mm thick 9P hand wind watch shocked the world, after two years, the Automatic version 12P was official launched in 1960. That was the world record for Automatic watch of 2 mm thickness!

2010, Piaget celebrates his thin watch that has been built for 50 years, they created the 1208P

which is a 2.35 mm automatic watch with 48 hours power reserve , it is the world’s thinnest watch!

This design come with the Antiplano series, 43mm dia. Total thickness is 5.25 mm. World Thinnest Automatic watch with the second hand being located at the 4 o’clock position. Elegancy, thin and beautiful!

Another Watch masterpiece VC, Verachon Constantin builds two watches Historique 1955 and 1968, which was the classic of 50’s and 60’s as for their thin profile and precision.

Historque 1955 fit with a 1003 hand wind caliber which is the World thinnest hand wind watch, Geneve seal, classic circle dial with 18CT gold. Historque 1968 is a classic square adopting 1120 Calibre with a new rotor, Geneve Seal. Since it is not as easy as you can think to design and fabricate thin watch, These two greatest watches might create some of the new trend of watch fashion. Large, thin, simple and classic...

HK Snob

Tissot Touch Sport watch

Touch is a new technology of Tissot. It has been quite an unique design on watch, and more and more Different design of sport watch or divers' watch are produced by Tissot.

Attached is the Hiking watch I used to put on.. Entirely made of Titinmum, very sturdy, light and comfortable

HK Snob

More About Movado Museum Watch

Watch is a way to tell your personal character, beside it is a time pieces. Movado has been one of the beautify design on his dial

Defined by a Single Dot at 12 representing the Sun at High Moon!
The Museum Watch dial is regarded as an Icon of Modernism. This watch was design by Bauhaus-influenced Artist Nathan George Harwitt in 1947.
When Harwitt dial was selected for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art New York. In 1960, it was the first watch dial ever awarded this distinction.

I saw a shop behind Holiday Inn Hotel along Nathan Road at Tsim Sha Tsui has a lot of newest variety of Movado at a very Good price... Worth your visit if you think you are one of the Fans of Movado

HK Snob

Watch Shops ta HKIA

There are a few watch shop at HKIA, Tiffany, Cartier, IWC...
From my experience, I find that IWC and Tiffany has the best sales people, as they are more eager to explain to you waht they are selling and they have good knmowledge on their product. At IWC. I am sure you can find those beautiful, kind sales executives like Ruby and Jasmine could provide you a good explanation on their watches...design and detail of the structure..


Whereas Cartier... may be I met the green horn, it seems they do not know their product much, even they can not tell difference of Sterling Silver and vermiel... Even What Cartier Santos is!? beleive it or not? go and try.




HK Snob

Piaget Bracelet

Piaget produces one of the best design wrist bracelet as shown, made in 1990 white 18CT white gold.

It was expensive to buy, and the white gold is made with good ingrdient such that the colour does not change after so many years.

I went to Goldsmith , Henry told me that it values about HK$5,500 in case sell the gold.

HK Snob