Only Watch Project

Only Watch project was established in 2005, a Bi-yearly event for a Charity Auction in Monaco – Only Watch Offers 40 One-of-a-Kind Watches.
40 renowned watchmakers created and donated their one-of-a-kind-unique-watch to the Only Watch charity auction. It will take place in Monaco, on 22 September 2011. This special event is organized by Antiquorum Auctioneers, Geneva and the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophies (AMM), in order to help Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. Only Watch has donated 2.5 million euros to 18 organizations with 90 researchers, clinicians and chemists in last event in 2009. It will be a great opportunity for the lovers of luxury watches to visit Monaco and donate money for a great cause.
This year is the Fourth Auction that will be organized during the Monaco Yacht Show, under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II,
40 brands are Audemars Piguet, Bell&Ross, Blancpain, Blu, Bovet Fleurier, Breguet, Cyprus, Celsius, Chanel, Chaumet, Chopard, Corum, De Bethune, Delacour, De Witt, Franck Muller, Frédérique Constant, Girard-Perregaux, Glashutte Original, Harry Winston, Hermès, Hublot, Ikepod/Marc Newson, Jaquet Droz, Laurent Ferrier, Louis Vuitton, Maurice Lacroix, MB&F, Mont Blanc, Patek Philipe, Piaget, Richard Mille, Tag Heuer, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vulcain, Zenith. Click on the ling below to see a complete list of models and their images http://www.onlywatch.net/index.php/watches-and-auction.
Before the first touch with lucky owners, these watches are going to travel the world, displaying their beauty to watch lovers in:
Singapore (The Hour Glass): 30 August
Hong Kong (Antiquorum Auctioneers Ltd.): 1 September
Shanghai (Antiquorum Shanghai): 3 September
Beijing: 5 September
Tokyo (The Hour Glass): 7 September
Los Angeles (Westime Beverly Hills): 9 September
New York (Antiquorum Auctioneers Ltd): 12 September
Milan (Orologerio Luigi Verga): 15 September
Geneva (Antiquorum SA): 16 & 17 September.
Note that the Country starts from Asia, USA and Europe, that you can see Asia is the biggest end users for Finest Swiss Watch, replacing USA as the biggest importer for Swiss Luxaury watch before. Amongts all the watch I like this Richard Mille.
Richard Mille
Richard Mille offered the uniqueness on a different way. Instead of producing unique form, it has given the world unique spirit, throughout the watch that Rafael Nadal was wearing, during his champion’s run inMonte Carlo, earlier this year.
Rafa’s personal timepiece is even more authentic, since it is a pre-production prototype model that had been under serious tests, before the line was released. However, this watch pasted the most serious tests on Nadal’s wrist, during professional tennis games. Since it is unbelievably light, just 20 grams with a strap, the RM 027 doesn’t affect its extraordinary precision, as well as the game has no effect on the perfect work of the watch. I have always mentioned that good watch should alao be string and tough enoughjt o go for the sport you do… Tennis is a tough game that swing your arm to hit the ball for a 100KM/hour speed. No watch with Tourbillon could possible stand and work without any damages. Richard Mille designed this watch with the toughest and lightest material, toughj could be indistrutibel light to reduce the inertia and impact force on the Balancign gear and other precision parts inside this watch. I think this watch can go up to Euro 620,000 on the aution!
A 48mm x 39.7mm case of Richard Mille RM 027 is crafted in a composite of mostly carbon, matching a polycarbonate strap. The most striking part of the watch is inside the case. A Caliber RM 027 hand-wound mechanism with a tourbillon has a low weight under 4 grams, thanks to its construction, made of titanium and a rarely used metal alloy, called aluminum lithium.

Monaco Snob

Citizen Appleseed XIII Eco-Drive Satellite Watch

It is Battery-less, with Accuracy of the Atomics Clock, it works anywhere on the Earth for receiving Satellite Signal. This is what an ideal watch should equip with.
The First revolutionary Citizen watch with the ultimate precision, named the Citizen Appleseed XIII Eco-Drive Satellite Watch will be released in fall.
Solar power and extreme precision combined are the insurance that you don’t have to worry about the maintenance, because the Citizen Appleseed XIII functions perfectly, precisely and endlessly.

HK Snob

1974 Grand Seiko Hi Beat

GRAND-SEIKO HI-BEAT Ref.5646-7010
Function: Hour, Min & Sec Hands with Date & English or Kanji Day Wheel
Caliber: 5646
Production Year: About 1974's
Cal: 5646 (Hi-Beat) 5 Position. Adj. Automatic Winding with Manual Winding & Hacking. (Stop the Sec Hands)
Jewels: 25 Jewels
Dial: Cream Color Dial
Crystal: Original Glass
Smooth Bezel
Original GS Crown.
Case: Stainless Steel (Some Fine Hair Scratches)
Dimension of Case: 36 x 41 mm (Excluding Crown)
Band: Original Bracelet (With the Gold GS logo on the Clip)
Condition: 90% New, Used, Working, Very fine in as found condition as you can see at the Pictures Service: I have tested it gains 1 second a day when Lying with the crystal face up, and Gain 1.5 seconds when Crown Facing Down after 24 hours.. It is a Superb Accurate Mechanical Masterpieces made by the Japanese Craftmanship in the 70's Highly Collectible.

HK Snob

Why Rolex Oyster Watch is So Durable and Reliable!?

Shock Resistance Capability of a watch
Early watch say before 1934 did not have any shock resistance design and is liable to get damages very easily. Before the widespread use of shock protection devices like Incabloc, broken balance staffs were a major cause of watch repair service visitsThe major defect besides the scratches in the casing and Crystal, is the main balance staff that would be broken, or chipped. That would cause the watch to lose accuracy and or even stop. Some of the balance staffs of watch have a diameter of merely 0.15mm. They have to be made hard using steel, they are small especially the contact between the tip and the jewel bearing so as to reduce friction. That is an essential design to increase watch accuracy by reducing friction. So it is necessary to be protected from damages by accidental drops on the floor.
Incabloc
The Incabloc shock protection system is the trade name for a spring-loaded mounting system for the jewel bearings that support the balance wheel in a mechanical watch, to protect the wheel's delicate pivots from damage in the event of physical shock. Incabloc design model prevents shock damages on the shaft of the balancing wheel by allowing the jeweled balance of the watch to move laterally and vertically within a spring-mounted setting. Incabloc was invented in 1934 by Swiss engineers Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti, at Universal Escapements, Ltd, Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. It is currently manufactured by Incabloc, S.A.
Incabloc is used by many movements including most modern ETA and Omega movements.
How Does Incabloc Work?
The Incabloc system uses a "lyre-shaped" spring to allow the delicate bearings to shift in their settings under impact, until a stronger shoulder of the staff contacts the strong metal endpiece, so that the fine and delicate pivots and bearings don't have to bear the force of the impact. When the impact is over, the springs guide the parts back to their original positions. The staff itself does not move relative to the jewel bearing, but the whole bearing is carried in a metal bushing that is free to move in the metal endpiece, under the control of the spring. The watch equipped with Incabloc does not mean that it could stand a very strong impact, if the impact force is greater than the strong shoulder could stand, the balance staff would be broken too.
Other Shock Resistance Design
Other techniques for shock protection include Parachoc, Kif, Unisafe and Novochoc. KIF is a Rolex Design Shock resistance system, ETA's Etachoc, Seiko's Diashock, and Citizen's Parashock.
These are the known types of Watch Shock Resistance System, It may have more…
Antichoc, Bidlingm, Contrachoc, Cymaflex, Diashock, Duofix, Durobloc, Duroshock, DuroSwing, Etachoc, Farr, Forester, Herucles, Incabloc, Intrabloc, Junghams, Kif, KifA, Microflex, Monobloc, Monorex, Novochoc, Parashock, Parechoc, Resomatic, Rubyshock, Rufarex, Shockresist, Shock Stabil, Super-Shock-R, Super-Shock-Res, unichoc, Unishock, Uwersi, Vibrax...
Comparison between KIF and Incabloc
The primary difference is the shape of the spring which holds the cap rubies (s) down. Both let you remove the cap jewel without totally removing the spring - it kind'a hinges up and out of the way without having to take it completely off.
Most of the higher end brands use Kif: AP, PP, Rolex, VC, JLC, Chopard, etc.
From the design Incabloc has just two contacts in the jewel bearing whereas Kif has three balance at each 120 degrees along the whole circumference for the jewel. Under strong shock impact, the Kif may survive better in maintaining the Ruby jewel bearing in a balanced position. As Kif using three-point contacts that it will have a self-aligned effect on the position of the bearing. Two point Incabloc may have a possibility to shift the bearing a bit to one side in case the spring is not in a co planarity or flat. So I think three points are best… two points is insufficient, and 4 points is not working, some what Like the Hi Fi System that only we put three Nails under each amplifier, we seldom put four.
ISO Standard of Watch Shock Resistance
The International Organization for Standardization issued a standard ISO 1413 Horology for shock resistant watches which many watch makers have adopted.—Shock-resistant watches specifies the minimum requirements and describes the corresponding method of test. It is based on the simulation of the shock received by a watch on falling accidentally from a height of 1 m on to a horizontal hardwood surface. It is intended to allow homologation tests rather than the individual control of all watches of a production batch.
Shock Resistance Test
In practice shock resistance is generally tested by applying two shocks (one on the 9 o'clock side, and one to the crystal and perpendicular to the face). The shock is usually delivered by a hard plastic hammer mounted as a pendulum, so as to deliver a measured amount of energy, specifically, a 3 kg hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 m/s. The watch must keep its accuracy to +/- 60 seconds/day as measured before the test.
Rolex is Likely One of the most Durable Watches on the World!
The Solid Oyster case is circular in shape, due to the shape of the oyster case once there is force impact onto it, the cylindrical surface will transmit portion Part of force onto other end of the case instead of the impact is direct acting on the movement inside, and the case is hewn from a single solid pieces of metal using 60 tons of pressure. It will not break and would likely last for life time. On the Other hand Rolex is famous for their ruggedness and all of their movements are based on their KIF shock Resistance System, mounted 3130 movements...3135 for a date, 3186 for a GMT function, 3131 for a Faraday cage and some non ferrous parts.
The exceptions are the 4130 Chronograph movement in the Daytona, and the 3156 movement in the Day Date II which has their own, new Paraflex shock system. Moreover, Rolex has invested on both the Balance Wheel staff and Lever Escapement Shaft. I call it double Shock Resistance System, only a few watches in the world have been equipped double Kif System in one watch.
When I was working on board merchant vessels, I asked why the Chief Officer, Quartermasters, oiler, carpenters, sailors, and Engineers used Rolex Oyster watches, no matter, Date Just, Air King, Or even Oyster Precision. The only Answer is “Rolex is reliable!”
Oyster case in fact is made in high precision with 162 operations from a solid metal or Gold. Great care that are present throughout the manufacture of an Oyster result in a case that is virtually a miniature safe, extremely strong and practically indestructible, the movement is installed inside the seal safe with double Shock resistance system to guarantee the watch will be used in the harsh condition like Polo, Horse Riding, Golf, Diving, will no incur that possibility to create and damages to the watch.

HK Snob

Is Rolex considered a conspicuous consumption item in HK?!

Yesterday when I went to CitiSuper Gateway TST intending to shop for some Japanese beef for my daughter, when I entered the pay line. I was shock to see that there is having 6 persons wearing Rolex… really that is more or less a watch show. It was probably co-incident m but I noticed what watch people wears. They are White Gold Rolex Daytona on leather strap on a young lady’s right wrist, mid size Stainless steel Rolex Date Just with pink dial, Rolex Submariner black dial and bezel, Rolex Date Just two tone boy size. Rolex Thunderbird stainless steel, a Panerai. I was wearing my Rolex Yellow gold Day Date Purple dial.
Well, those area are usually you can see a lo of middle class people and It was Saturday, a lot of shoppers.
Since we have been labeled Rolex for many years as the most luxury brand in Asia, after Louis Vitton. More people is intending to buy a Rolex if he does not yet have one, to buy more as is he is a Rolex lover… to buy many if he is serious collector.
The reason why people like Rolex? It can retain its value, as even after you have been using for 10 years still you can sell it at a rather good price.
On the other hand, the service support is very good at Rolex Authorized Service Centre, they are efficient.
The other major reason is Rolex has a good reputation of durable, reliable, accurate, functional and beautiful, it does not need Tourbillon, or perpetual calendar, or repeater. it is a simple time telling function, extremely watch-proof! And Rolex never go out of Fashion!
As Far as I think, Rolex watches can not be considered as a conspicuous consumption in HK. It is an Investment, a man's accessory, a piece of Swiss WatchMaster egineering works.. Rolex is a life time investment. A honest beautiful time piece for many many years.

HK Snob

Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon

A Flying tourbillon, winding the movement through a circular rack mechanism. Inside bezel 48 diamonds and 12 Blue Sapphire, 41mm. Limited in 99 pieces in Platinum.
HK Snob

What kind of watch appears in American Movies?

Since I got my first watch from my father 40 years ago, I started to notice on all types of watches around me.When I earned my first salary I bought the first Omega hand wind De Ville with HKD$1080. The watch is still around, kept by one good friend as I gave him for some reasons 25 years ago, The first Rolex I have ever saw was dated back in 1976 where there is Yik Cheong, and Yik Sang in Sun Po Kwong who sold pre-owned goods such as used Watch, Diamond, Suit, trousers, Blanket and Transistor Radio.
I always went there to see what good watches were look like. The name Rolex and Omega was very popular at that time, and I started to observe what the common popularity of watch then.The people liked Rolex Date just stainless steel, gold watch like Day Date is limited to very rich people. At that time a Gold Rolex might take your 3 years salary, One Newspaper reporter was earning HKD$220 a month, whereas a Gold Rolex is about HKD$5,600.00 as this was a Luxury Rolex. That was how I was amazed as I could see a lot of watch in two neighboring Shops. Since then I started to look at people on their watches to tell this gentleman’s background. And the only entertainment a beside watch window shopping after school was movie, I watched most of the Western, mainly American Movies. James bond was one of my all-time favourite. And I have noticed their watch… mostly I was amazed by the beautiful shinny bezel of Rolex Submariner, I had no idea what is the function and how did we used on the numbered bezel. This is a list of what watch have been found, revealed in the Movies.
When James Bond progressed from novel to film his watch could now be seen. In Dr.No, Sean Connery is clearly seen wearing a Rolex Submariner. This watch is described in Dowling & Hess' book. Rolex Reference No. 6538 or 6508 is now known as the James Bond Submariner. Bond's arch enemies also wear interesting timepieces. Three worth mentioning are Donald "Red" Grant, Goldfinger and Scaramanga.
Listed below are the watches seen in the James Bond movies.
Dr. No (1962) - A Rolex Submariner.
From Russia With Love (1963) - A Rolex Submariner.
Goldfinger (1964) – A Rolex Submariner
Thunderball (1965) - Rolex Submariner, Breitling Top Time, and a Breitling Navitimer which is the watch of Domino's brother.
O.H.M.S.S. (1969) - Rolex Submariner with steel bracelet. George Lazenby takes off his Submariner, places it on top of a photo-copier and then peruses a Playboy magazine.
Live And Let Die (1973) - Pulsar Time Computer Quartz LED & Rolex Submariner,
The Man With The Golden Gun (1974) - Rolex Submariner.
The Spy Who Love Me (1977) - Seiko LCD Digital.
Moonraker (1979) - Seiko LCD Digital which doubles as a bomb.
For Your Eyes Only (1981) - Seiko Quartz Analog/Digital Alarm Chronograph.
Octopussy (1983) - Seiko Sports 100 & Seiko TV watch with LCD screen.
Golden Eye (1996) - Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer with a laser worn by Pierce Brosnan.
Others
2004 Kill Bill 2, Uma Thurman worn a Fake Rolex Daytona
That came with Date and Day! Strange that the movie producer should have money enough for Uma to wear a Genuine Rolex.
2003 Terminator III, Arnold Schwarzenegger worn a AP Royal Oak T2 limited Production
L.A. Confidential (1997) - Spacey wears a Bulova while Guy Pearce wears a Rolex Oyster
Men In Black (1997) - Hamilton Ventura (re-issues).
Seven Years In Tibet (1997) - A Gold Omega worn by Brad Pitt. Read the fabulous story by James Dowling on how he was asked to supply watches for this film.

Broken Arrow (1996) - Breitling Aerospace worn by John Travolta.
License To Kill (1989) - Rolex Submariner
Daylight (1996) - A Luminor Panerai worn on the right wrist of Stallone. Film credits TAG Heuer, Seiko, Casio and Bulova watches.
Eraser (1996) - Luminor Panerai Marina is seen in the opening titles. Its crown is locked into place. This watch is worn by Schwarzenegger.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - Rolex Daytona pawned by Nicholas Cage. "$500 for a Ô93 Rolex Daytona? - I'll do it!"
Die Hard 3 With A Vengeance (1995) - Breitling Chronomat Longitude worn by Willis.
Apollo 13 (1995) - Omega Speedmaster Professionals.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - An old gold Rolex given to a little boy by Christopher Walken and worn by Bruce Willis.
In The Line Of Fire (1993) - A steel & gold Rolex Date just worn by Clint Eastwood.
Falling Down (1993) - An extreme close-up of Michael Douglas' watch, a Lorus.
Marked For Death (1991) - Rolex Day-Date worn by Steven Seagall for the first part of the movie. He then wears a TAG Heuer stainless steel chronograph.
Die Hard 2 (1990) - Willis wears a TAG Heuer.
Hard To Kill (1990) - A gold or stainless steel and gold Rolex GMT II worn by Steven Seagall.
Goodfellas (1990) - One of the gold watches that Ray Liotta wears on his right wrist is a Rolex Day-Date.
License To Kill (1989) - Rolex Submariner
Die Hard (1988) - Rolex Date Just two tone worn by the actress who plays Bruce Willis' wife.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) - Michael Caine wears a Rolex Day-Date.
Midnight Run (1988) - Unknown watch constantly checked by DeNiro to see if it's still working, he finally gives the watch away at the end of the movie.
Burglar (1987) - Rolex Day-Date which Whoopie Goldberg likes to steal.
Big Shots, The (1987) - A Rolex Submariner. This watch becomes the central focus of the plot in the first half of the movie. The watch is given to a young teenager after his father dies. It is stolen from him and with the help of a street-wise kid, they try to get the watch back.
Shindler's List (1994) - Rolex Prince worn by Liam Neesom.
Stargate (1994) - Breitling Sirius worn by Kurt Russell.
Speed (1993) - The "cheesy" watch is a gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual, while Dennis Hopper wears a Rolex GMT II.
Shattered (1991) - Breitling Chronomat worn by Tom Berenger.
Thelma And Louise (1991) - Susan Sarandon gives her watch (Cartier/Seiko?) to an old man.
Short Circuit 2 (1988) - Fake Rolexes sold by Michael McKean on the street.
They Live (1988) - Gold Rolex Oyster Perpetuals worn by the aliens.
Wall Street (1987) - Charlie Sheen starts off wearing a Lorus and progresses to a Cartier(?).
People (1986) - Rolex Day-Date worn by Danny DeVito.
Top Secret! (1984) - A hugely over-sized Rolex Oyster Chronometer showing the time 7.22. It is supposed to be a close-up of wristwatch but in fact it's a wall clock on a person's wrist.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - Rolex Submariner worn by Nigel Tuffnel played by Christopher Guest.Cobra (1986) - TAG Heuer worn by Sylvester Stallone.
A View To A Kill (1985) – Seiko
Never Say Never Again (1983) - An unknown watch given to Sean Connery by Q Branch which contains a laser beam.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) - A Piaget which Steve Martin uses as part payment
for a motel room. Martin: "I have $17 and a helluva watch". Candy: "I have $2 and a Casio".’
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - Patek Philippe.
Right Stuff, The (1983) - Omega Speedmaster.
Deer Hunter (1978) - Rolex GMT worn by DeNiro.
Ransom a.k.a. Maniac (1977) - Incorrectly stated as an Omega Flightmaster by May 1995 British Edition of Esquire. It is in fact an Omega Speedmaster Mk.II which is worn by the four hi-jackers and becomes an important part of the movie.
Rocky (1976) that Rocky (Sylvester Stallone ) chose Rolex Solid Gold Date Just with Diamond bezel for his wife, and a Solid gold GMT master for himself.
Marathon Man (1976) - Rolex Submariner with gold crown given as a present to Dustin Hoffman. He then trades it for a taxi fare and some change. I guess it wasn't safe.
Jaws (1975) - A Rolex Submariner and an unknown diving watch (Omega?) worn by Richard Dreyfuss.
Harry In Your Pocket (1974) - A $1400 Rolex Day-Date worn by James Coburn's protegé.
Le Mans (1971) - A Heuer Monaco worn on the right wrist of Steve McQueen.
North Sea Hijack (1975) - Roger Moore wears a Rolex Submariner and a Seiko Quartz Professional Diver. Anthony Perkins wears an Omega Speedmaster(?).
Party, The (1969) - Peter Sellers wears an unknown underwater watch in a movie set based in 1878 India. The director cuts the action and reminds Sellers' character of the faux-pas. I suppose this is a parody on Ben Hur where Charlton Heston is supposedly seen wearing a wristwatch during the chariot race.
Easy Rider (1969) - Unknown watch thrown away by Peter Fonda at the start of the film.
Fathom (1967) - Breitling Co Pilot worn by Raquel Welch.
Red Line 7000 (1965) - Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona can be clearly seen worn by the owner of James Caan's racing team
King Rat (1965) - Omega traded by George Segal.
Guns Of Navarone, The (1961) - Two close-ups of a Gruen Precision worn by Gregroy Peck.
Seven Days In May (1964) - A close-up of a Bulova Accutron Astronaut worn by Kirk Douglas.
Above Us The Waves (1956) - Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso which John Mills wears.
Rear Window (1954) - A close-up of James Stewart's stainless steel Tissot.
Lifeboat (1943) - Patek Phillipe. When it's suggested that her watch is slow, Tallulah Bankhead retorts, "Slow? That's a Phillipe Patek!".
Son Of The Sheik (1926) - Rudolph Valentino wears a Cartier Tank.
Sheik, The (1921) - Rudolph Valentino wears a Cartier Tank.From The statistics, it seems Rolex appeared most in the American Movies. Submariner is James Bond’s favourite watch. So as I say, Rolex is durable, accurate and Beautiful, that wins the heart of the most of the people in USA.
So I think Rolex is a great watch for you, me and the US Movie Stars! Hollywood Snob

Ref. An article from Edward Heliosz.

My Favourite Choice for 6 Rolex Watches

If I were asked to choose the Top Six beloved Rolex model!?
That is a tough question and honesty, the reply will defers from person,
As if you are an active sportsman, you may like to take DeepSEA as the top one beloved Rolex, and Submariner as the 2nd.
If you are an old man who is a business who need to travel and had a lot of opportunity to have meeting and then the Top one Might be Date Day or GMT Master II.
If your are a man who wear jean and plain short for most of the time, a Milgauss and or Date Just Stainless steel would be your best partner for years.
If I were asked to Choose the best 5 Rolex. I will have no question to choose.
1.Rolex Day Date Platinum Ice Blue dial plain Bezel.
2. Rolex Day Date White Good White Dial Fluted Bezel
3. Rolex Daytona Pink Gold
4. Submariner Blue Dial White gold on Oyster Strap
5. DeepSEA
6. Milgauss green Crystal
This is my personal Choice Only
Yau Ma Tei Snob

Rolex Day Date Ref. 1803 Rare Pink Gold Vintage Watch

This is a Rare Rolex Pink Gold Day Date, note the dial itself is rare because ths index is triangular shape, with 5 diamonds. It has gone through many summers and winters. It has some minor discolouration. But the dial is original. The case has not been polished at all. What if I got the money, I can enroll it as a new entry into my Day Date Collection.
HK Snob

Audemars Piguet Diamond Dress Watch

This is an 1989 AP with about 600 pieces of diamond on the whole watch dial, cases and Strap. For Man only. This is a bit too shinny in day time, and too showy at night time... What kind of occassion I can use?...Well, may be the day I attend my daughter wedding dinner party. Definitely this watch took up of about minimum 400 hours for The AP watch master to hand craft to the highest level of watch-jewellery. Thin Hand Wind Calibre of Audemar Piguet.

HK Snob

AP's New Carbon Fibers Material for Their Watch Casing

Audemar Piguet would never stop giving you technical wonders as the Audemars Piguet’s Millenary Carbon One introduced in 2009 is an Example. The case is forged carbon, an ultra-light material developed solely by AP. The middle section of the case is created by placing a set of carbon filaments inside a mold. The wires measuring one millimeter in diameter, is itself composed of several thousand 7-micron carbon fibers held together by a resin wire placed end to end. The wire is approximately 1/3 the diameter of human hair. These thin filaments are equivalent to 22.7 meters of carbon wire and over 100km of carbon fibers.

The mold is then compressed at high temperature at pressures of over 300 kilos per square centimeter. This process results in a material composed of 76% carbon and 24% polyamide. The hardness of 626 Vickers can be compared with the 420 Vickers score for Alacrite, another highly resistant material. The case middle and lugs are made all of a piece. The bezel, crown and pushers are in ceramics. The high-tech materials and manufacturing techniques result in a very light timepiece indeed: the Millenary Carbon One weights just 69.44 grams which is much lighter than gold or steel. Since the case has to be made individually, the unique pattern of the fibre create an uniqueness of the watch pattern. That is one of the selling feature of this watch, Light, Durable, hi-tech and beautiful.

The Carbon One reveals caliber 2884, a completely proprietary movement equipped with a tourbillon, a chronograph, and a 10-day power reserve. Twin barrels actually store enough energy to power the watch for 12 days, but a locking mechanism allows the watch to run only during the 10 days when the power delivery is at the linear consistent region. Each movement is first assembled on a trial basis in order to set it into motion. This stage requires ten days of adjustments. Once the watchmaker is sure that it runs completely smoothly, he takes it apart and cleans the parts before final assembly and casing up. It takes about 15 days to assemble a finished movement, three of which are devoted to the 80-piece tourbillon.

The high-tech theme is not stopped here at case, it continues inside the movement. Eloxed aluminium is used for the bridges and carbon for the main-plate. It’s an isotropic material composed of carbon nanofibres injected at an extremely high pressure of 7500 N/cm2 and at a temperature of 2,400°C in order to achieve a material possessing mechanical, physical, chemical stability and internal stress free in all directions. This amorphous and chemically neutral composite material maintains its dimensions over a broad range of temperatures. Due to its minimal elastic deformation, this carbon provides a highly stable base for the metal elements attached to it. Watch changes it time accuracy on temperature changes due to mechanical expansion or contraction, this main-plate is totally eliminating this concern. Beside, it is light.

The Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph were produced in a limited series of 120 pieces

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph

Reference
26152AU.OO.D002CR.01
Forged carbon case, black crocodile leather strap
Limited edition of 120

Movement
Caliber : 2884 hand-wound with twin barrel and tourbillon
Carbon main-plate
Bridges in eloxed aluminium and blackened steel
Total diameter : 38.40 x 33.40 mm
Casing diameter : 37.40 x 32.40 mm
Thickness : 9.7 mm
30 jewels
336 parts
Up to 240-hour power reserve
Cadence of the balance : 21,600 vibrations per hour
Finishing : all parts decorated by hand.

Case
Forged carbon with black ceramic bezel, crown and push-buttons
Dimensions : 47 x 42 mm
Cambered glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Blackened titanium back fitted with sapphire crystal
Water resistant to 20 meters

Dial
Open-worked to reveal the movement
White hour-markers with luminescent coating
Blackened luminescent hands

Strap
Hand-sewn “large square scale” crocodile leather with AP folding clasp in blackened titanium

Functions
Hours and minutes
Chronograph
Power-reserve indicator

Where to Buy the Best valued pre-owned Rolex in HK!?

(The Pictures shown here on top is Kuen Kee and the Bottom is Lung Shing)

Where to Buy the Best valued pre-owned Rolex in HK?
This is a question from friends and fans of Rolex to me.
Well, to me, when I buy a pre-owned Rolex I have the following requirement.

1.The goods is original Rolex and Rolex parts
2.The Goods was bought from a Reliable legal source
3.The Goods is having no problem and having Rolex original Quality.
4.Come with Original Warranty certificates and Boxes.
5.The Price must be right and to me… I mean Cheap!
Well, as everyone knows that the first 1,000 Starbucks coffees for the day are made for paying for the rent in HK. As The rental fee in HK is likely Highest in the World. So when you enter the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui hotel shopping arcade to buy a pre-owned Rolex.. likely 10% is going to the pocket of the top-five Landlords of HK, through indirectly the Watch Shop.

So Where Can I buy good value for money Roles in HK!?
Well, My choice is Luen Shing and Kuen Kee in Sham Shui Po…

Why? As Sham Shui Po is HK’s poorest district in terms of People average annual income . The rent is almost lowest in HK, and the rent may be just 20% for that of Tsim Shan Tsui.

And They owe their shop. Meaning that they have intrinsic 20% tendency to be cheaper that other people running the same business.

That is True when you compare their price!
Another point is that they sell almost Rolex only, so you have a lot of choice.

They have been running almost 30 years under the same owner… So they have a good connection with Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore and Philippines buyers., In fact Kuen Kee does Whole Sales for Rolex….
On their other hand, their extensive experience to tell how good the Rolex watches are when they buy it.. Also since they owe the pawn shops they can some time get some very rare Rolex and they can dare to buy up!
So, next time when you think of buying pre-owned Rolex go to these shops!

Lung Shing is situated at Cheung Sha Wan Road 169. They open from 1200-1900 only
http://lungshingcentre.com/

Kuen Kee is situated at Ground Floor, 25 Pei ho Street, Sham Shui Po Kowloon.
Tel 27206632, 23864010. Website: http://www.kkwatch.com/ you can exit Sham Shui Po MTR Exit A2, go alone Pei Ho Street, across about 4 block of building, 200 metres away, you will find it. Not too difficult to find for Foreigner. If you are not too sure, go Google Map to take a look first. They Accept VISA… you can ask for some discount…if you are a good sweet talker… well, try to bring home a Good Rolex…
Ps. They display about 400 Rolex watches in the Kuen Kee Shops.

The DeepSEA is selling from HKD$39,000 to HKD$49,000, Submariner is selling HKD$37,000 to HKD$43,000. Explorer is Selling from HKD$29000-36,000.

In Luen Shing I have seen about 80 Rolexes Today.This is purely my personal comment only as I do not mean to say something bad about the shops in Tsim Sha Tsui, however the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui may have more other brands such as VC, AP PP, FM, RD, IWC, Cartier…etc

Sham Shui Po Snob

Asia First Tourbillon made by Kiu Tai Yu

In 1088, Su Song and Han Gong Lian, the scientists of China created an astronomical clock tower which was more than thirty feet high. The observing devices rotated mechanically and they indicated or pointed the mobile celestial bodies. Therefore we firmly believed that it was China who made history in the chapter of Clock making earlier than The Swiss.

The work of Kiu Tai Yu wanted to show the Western world that the rich heritage and skill of watch making is still present in china. Kiu Created his premier mechanical watch in 1970. He succeeded in fabricating the first Asian escapement sans pallets in 1978. The prolific watch crafter is the father of many innovative Kiu Tai Yu watches but his métier is in creating tourbillion. After making various types of tourbillion watch, he finally attained the job of uncovering world’s first ‘Mystery Tourbillion’ watch in 1993. This creation followed a series of other tourbillion watches. His passion for Kiu Tai Yu watches ultimately paved the path for achieving some patents of tourbillion invention in Switzerland.
However there was debate that Beijing Watch Co. and Mr. Kiu Tai Yu of Hong Kong's World Wide House both claim the distinction of being the first to make tourbillons in China. Indeed Mr. Kiu claims to be the first in Asia. In 1985, I started to buy watch from Kiu, the first one was a 14k Bubble back Rolex Oyster HKD$5,000.00.

And few pieces of watch like Repeater of the 18th Century in Sterling Silver cases, some 18K Yellow Gold IWC and Longines. etc. That was the reason why he bought house in North Point in cash, the day he showed me the money in a Envelope. He has a huge collection of Good watches… he is a Watch and Clock lover…Here shows the 1997 Mystery Flying Tourbillon No.12 is also full of Chinese classic decorative elements. Kiu is till active in watch selling, repairing and making, his watch atelier is in World Wide Centre.

He is a nice, polite and decent man. I hd just talked to his wife yesterday and Wish Kiu would recover from his illness soonest.
HK Snob

There are Only 5 Watch-making Companies who are producing 100% in-house Movements

There are 4 Swiss watch-making brands and One German who are producing 100% in-house movements are Patek Philippe, Jaeger LeCoultre, Rolex, A. Lange & Sohne and Roger Dubuis. Since A Lange & Sohne is manufactured in Germany, we classify this a German Watch though its mother comany is Richemont, Swiss. Amongst these, Roger Dubuis has increased the number of watch production to nearly 5,000 pieces per year; whereas PP is producing 42,000 pieces per year and Vacheron Constantin is producing 25,000 pieces per year. Rolex may produce as many as 1,000,000 pieces a year. Ferrari produces about 6,000 cars a year, so we are even more exclusive than them! Therefore, Roger Dubuis timepieces remain very exclusive when compare to other watch brands like Patek Philippe and VC. So if you want to purchase a watch, you should consider that these are the key factor that the brand name would not be eroded by OEM their movement to some other body. As for Collector’s mindset, everything should be the maker’s original design and product, or better off..do not collect!
HK Snob

Roger Dubuis Minute Repeater

Everything about Roger Dubuis is distinguished by the Fervent pursuit of Swiss Engineering Superlative Excellence.
I always appreciate Powerful, Bold, unique and Extravagance design, as it is a MUST for A New Borne Classic, there is not more stubborn atmosphere and environment for going so much to the slow mover of boring casing design with insertion of standardized calibers!
Watch for Today is a men’s Accessory, a piece of Art, time Keeping function becomes a side product gradually. Wearing a watch would represent your Glamour, taste and ability to Choose a new Class. As a successful business man who knows how to spend money wisely for a Watch you wear and that might become a Great Classic Tomorrow... Who want to have same watch that may be worn by another passing by sitting in the 5 star hotel lobby?
An exquisite uniqueness is a new criteria for those City Snobs to have…including watches. Imagine that Roger Dubuis produces less than 5,000 watches a year. Imagine that there are just limited 8 to 28 pieces of a Roger Dubuis model … who will be wearing the same watch with you when you travel, that is the uniqueness of yourself… from the day Roger Dubuis establish their own brand name in 1995, they have developed 31 Exclusive calibers in just 10 years. Imagine who can do that nowadays? So Be Calm, you still have a chance to select and buy by money on these watches of blue blood…World is Changing fast and who knows what will the top Auction items are after 15-20 years?
From what we see today at Roger Dubuis Opening of their new concept Boutique at Pacific Place, me as the one to be invited to join…People are nice and beautiful. Today I had a Chance to see this Beautiful example of the masterpiece.

A Platinum Minute Repeater Ref. EX45-08-80-00/0RR00/B,
Movement: RD08 Minute Repeater, Flying Tourbillon, Double micro-rotor automatic winding
Case: 45mm Platinum with Sapphire case-back
Dial: Grey Rhodium plated, black Roman numeral, III and VII embracing the tourbillon
Strap: Black genuine Alligator, hand-stitched
Platinum adjustable folding buckle.
Limited to 28 pieces
It moved my heart when I heard about its Crystal clear Dings and Dongs! Touching!
Would you spend HKD$4,680,000 for this masterpiecs?
HK Snob

Santos De Cartier 100 Extra Large Model

This is the Icon Watch of Cartier, the Santos 100 Extra Large Pink Gold version, i is not too common in Hong Kong. List Price HKD$184,000.00. I just have seen it at Cartier Shop, HKIA.

It is massive, large and Sportive have a sense of I don't care the size, this is Santos of Cartier.The Surface finish is so delicately polished to almost Perfect....Note that the AP Jumbo looks very Small and thin like a rasor blade when compared side by side with this Extra Large Santos! A Must De Cartier! Friend of mine offered me, I am thinking as I calcualte this way as an Old Chinese thought of Gold, It is almost 200 g of Gold,,, remove the movement which may be just 18gf, after 20% deduction because it is 750 Gold, The net gold is valed nowaday is about HKD$50,000.00! Gold is Forever! I love it...Don't say I am a gold Fever, Look at the Gold price...it is rising everyday. Watch DescriptionSantos 100 watch, extra-large model, flying 18K pink gold case, 18K pink gold octagonal crown decorated with a faceted sapphire, sapphire crystal, slate-grey galvanic dial, openwork satin-finished sunray grid with black transfer roman numerals, sword-shaped blue steel hands, alligator strap, 18K pink gold triple adjustable deployant buckle, workshop-crafted mechanical movement with auto winding calibre and individually numbered, diameter: 24,5 mm, thickness: 4,5 mm, including 19 jewels, balance: 21’600 vibrations/hour, transparent back with sapphire crystal, water-resistant to 30 metres / 100 ft (3 bars). Case dimension : 46.5x54.9 mm, 16.5 thick. HK Snob