Rolex Ref, 1803 Yellow Gold

ROLEX Ref.1803 18K Yellow Solid-Gold. "Fat case" 3 Hall-Mark. Original Dial with Diamonds-set numbers. Looking from the end of the four slugs on the picture to reveal the rectangular shape of the End Surface thus to tell the case has not been Polished, if polished the end surface area will be reduced... this is one way to tell the case has been polished or not. Below HKD$40K!
HK Snob

Rolex Ref. 1803 White Gold Brown Dial

A Fine and Very Rare ROLEX Ref.1803 18K White-Gold case & Bracelet. Brown colour Dial with Diamonds-set numbers. Ref. 1803 is one of my Favourite Rolex Date Day as they have the classical history. The Movement is a bit thinner than the latest revision. At that time 1956-1976, a Rolex Day Date is as expensive as a compact Japanese Car. Not easy for most of grass root people like my father to afford to buy. So the number of unit with Excellent condition left is little, with special Colour dial is even less. This watch is estimated as HKD$120,000. As simply, the colour is beautiful and the unit is un-polished at all.
HK Snob

Where to buy your Rolex Watch, AD or Shop for Pre-owned Rolex?

Tricks in Selling Pre-owned Watch in HK.
There are too many smart business men doing watch Business sin HK…
Mainly they have a way to make their money…
If you are not Local HK, people, if you are not Watch Expert, if you do not know the shops well, well, I will not suggest you buy pre-owned watch... as
We know some times. The Pre-owned watch is selling more expensive than New watch
Sometime they also sell new watch in the shops but the watch is actually not new. They have been special handled and treated with some minor punishment. Say a 95% new watch can easily been Make Up to be a NEW watch, selling the price of a new watch.
Some time they may have some watches that has not been completed installed with 100% genuine parts, such as the Strap, they might put local made strap, some good shop will tell you that is local strap, but some do not. Some of the Crystal is not real Rolex Crystal, that may cause you problem in watch resistance.
Also, how can you tell the accuracy of your Rolex is still within +/-5 seconds a day in such kind of shop!?
So, it might be some secure for you going to Rolex AD to buy your New Rolex..
So what is the value of the pre-owned watch shops. Well, Antique or vintage watch, this is one of the source we can buy the pre-owned watch…. Also some of the limited version you might miss in the past, you can only find it again in the pre-owned watch market…
If you are going to buy your first Rolex, no question about it… go to Rolex AD shop in HK.
HK Snob

Where to Buy New Rolex Watch in Hong Kong?

A Singaporean Friend asked me where he should go for buying his Rolex in HK,,
This has been a hot topics for foreigner who do not understand too much about the shops selling Rolex in HK. I hereby put them here as to tell what are the difference between this and that shops.
These are the authorized Dealer of Rolex in Hong Kong.
Artland
Chow Sang Sang
Chow Tai Fook
Dickson
Eldorado
Emperor
Europe
Fung Leung Kee
King Fook
La Suisse Watch
Oriental
Precision
Right Watch
Solomon
Tai Hing
Times City
Times Watch
Wah Hing
Zurich
As some of the Shops have a few branches, there are totally 74 shops in Hong Kong selling Rolex Watch, the watch are guaranteed genuine watches from Rolex.
As for the price, all goes with the SAME list price and almost they offer the same Discount of 4-5% depending on what model you are looking for. If the Hot item like Explorer II Orange, e now they do not offer discount at all.
The difference between those Jewelry shop like Chow Tai Fook, Chow Sang Sang and Pure Watch Shop like Oriental and Emperor is that the former one do not carry a Rolex service man stationing in the shop, but the later one has a station Watch smith to take care your Rolex. When you buy, you may request to have the watch health check for accuracy before you conclude your order. They usually offer some service for simple health Check for your watch, or even some repair.
That is the Difference between the shops.
Also in those Chow Tai Fook they are usually packed with Chinese People buying gold and jewelry. Where you those Oriental and Emperor, you may enjoy a quiet and decent environment for you to Choose the Rolex you want.
Nathand Road Snob

Rolex Explorer II Orange starts on Sale now Ref 216570

We have heard that some of the branches of Oriental Watch Company had started having supply of this watch already. It is about HKD$68,000.00 last week, then came down to HKD$63,000 beginning of this week. of course no discount at this moment. The Standard price should go to HKD$61,000.00 I guess!. Well, I have reserved one here and another there, see when I can get one at a standard price... I expect no discount already...
If you had ordered this watch, go and check!
HK Snob

Gerald Genta's Greatest Watch Design, the AP RO

Two Important AP Royal Oak
The Swiss Watch Enterprise including AP was almost gone into bankruptcy in 1969 due to the Japanese new Invention on Quartz watch...The Seiko Astron that was announced to be launched in Dec 1969. At that Time Seiko overseas advertisement said “ Someday all watches will be made this way” Well, that was a great invention as it could achieve a accuracy of 0.2 second a day which is a new challenge to the traditional mechanical watch even from Switzerland. And all in sudden people would go crazy to pursue buying one of these Watches. At that time Seiko Could produce about 20 pieces a month with the price for a Car…
However, on the other side of the world Charles Gerald Genta who was requested to design a new Sport watch for AP… the Royal Oak Series, a new bold design by employing 8 screws to tighten up the bezel on to the base chassis, a kind of beauty that shocked the world… and This became one of the Most adorable watch design in the 1972. Whereby triggering big sales revenue that actually saved AP from going into Bankruptcy.
Attached I the First Generation AP Royal Oak in 18Kt… the Movement was special Designed made by JLC... a super thin movement with overall thickness of less than 7mm (inclusing the case of the watch).
On the left side I ns 1997 HK Time Zone AP limited version for HK only in memorizing the Return of HK back to China.
Besides AP Royal Oak, Gerald deigns the nautilus for PP and Overseas for VC... these are now still the Flagship series of these three Greatest Watch brands,
Charles Gérald Genta contributed to the designs of Swiss luxury watch firms including IWC, Universal Geneve, Veraheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, among several others. He was reported in August 2011 that Genta had died at the age of 80.
He is the master of Watches design, and he is the Icon of Swiss watch, Watch visionary. When we wear these Great Wactches we should pay respect to Gerald Genta….
Mong Kok Snob

Rolex Date Day Ref. 18038

This is a special dial with Brown Stone Like Pattern, not too sure if that is a cut out from a fossil stone!? The Colour is just very beautiful.

It is a Ref. 18038 with Cal. 3055. 18Kt yellow gold unpolished watch, In Excellent condition. Unpolished at all, I feel Drooling to get one like this...

HK Snob

Shopping Technique for Pre-owned Rolex watch in HK.

Lately we had mentioned the precautions in buying used, pre-owned Rolex in HK.
We can see that a used Explorer II can have a price range from HKD$22,000 up to HKD$45,000.00 There is a wide range of price, and that we should take extreme care in the choice of the watch or you may buy a Cocktail Rolex.
Learning from Andy Tan that if the Rolex is not 100% genuine parts being installed on, there is not service support in Malaysia. Whereas in HK, the Rolex centre has a bigger tolerance on the degree of Cocktail parts.
As if in HK, if the movement, dial and the case is not genuine, they will not service, But they can accept for servicing if the Sapphire, the Strap lock pin, the Leather strap is not original, they will tell you before they consider to service it.
Of course there may be the case that they will charge more a bit and they will not normally have warranty on the water proof, ever all parts are original, they normally do not warranty on waterproof function.
When we buy a Rolex
We should take note on the Source, from who you buy from, Shops, dealer, or private owner. We should always buy fro a Trusted source, do not buy surprise –cheap Rolex as they might have problem. The watch might be a stolen One. It may give you a Great Nightmare!
If we buy, make sure we should buy from trusted Shops
The older shop is usually having high credibility.
They are always asking more if the Watch is pegged with Original Invoice, Waranty card, Boxex, booklet and original Shopping bag!
We should look what is being stated on the Invoice that usually indicate the extent for the warranty, and what if there is problem, how about servicing...
Check carefully on the watch for the degree of usage by checking the hand for scratches or oxidation, scratches mean they have been gome through a lot of service, especially by non-Rolex-Certified Technician.
Check if the case has been polished, some are not properly polished that will cause water leakage! A lightly scratched watch which has not been polished is always preferred that one looks so shinny and new but had been heavily polished, especially the Vintage Watch.
Accuracy
I will like to test the watch by either machine checking on the heart beats for accuracy.,
if they do not have, check for minimum 6 hours see how accuracy it is…within 6 hours There should not have any significant change in time. If that has 2 seconds of gaining, the watch may gain 12 seconds a day, that is out of the Specification of Rolex standard for Chronometers.
All my Rolex has a daily accuracy of not more than 3 second gaining or losing time,
That is the normal accuracy of a good Rolex.
When there are two Rolex which has the same exact Ref., Say Date Day Ref, 1803.
One has full genuine Case dial, bezel, Sapphire, Strap, Diamond Bezel and strap lock pin which comes in Plated Gold and Solid Gold. This watch may take you HKD$150,000
But if the Strap is not the original, it will be much cheaper as the Strap is almost 40% of the cost of the Whole Rolex.
If the Diamond bezel is not the original, it is about HKD$6,000, but if the diamond bezel is Original it is about HKD$30,000.00
If the Dial is not original its just a few hundred HK Dollars, but if the dial is Original Like a Ferrari Red Dial of a Date Day, they may ask for HKD$100,000.00!
If the Strap lock pin is original Solid Gold Pin, it is about HKD$3,000, but of that is a fake one, it is about $800 for Solid Gold one…
So you can see that two identical outlook watch of the same model may have a different price tag of HKD$120,000 and HKD$70,000!
So Don't be so happy when you buy a Cheap Rolex… there is always a rationale.
Buy the worst case is you spend HKD$120,000 for a cocktailed Rolex that is only able to sell in the open market for HKD$60,000.!
So if you do not know how to check by ocular Inspection., you had better go for the Rolex AD to buy a New Rolex
Sometimes there may be a chance that the price is below the market value If you know the things and Trick, that is why it is A GREAT Fun to buy the used Rolex!
HK Snob

This might be Only One in Hong Kong: Rolex Ferrari Red Dial Ref. 1803 with Rivet Oyster Strap

This is a rare watch that we took over years to collect. The Watch is date Day 1803, Circa 1969 , but the dial is Ferrari Red with Diamonds, the date and Day is in Chinese Character. The Strap is Oyster 18KT Solid Gold Rivet type strap. That can be extended by pulling the strap at two ends..It is extremely rare. So this watch is made of the favourite selection of the Date Day Ref. 1803, Ferrari Red Dial and the Rivet Oyster Strap. This is My favourite Date Day. The Black Dial Date Day is Ref. 18338 Circa 1992, with diamonds on the shoulders.

HK Snob

Rolex Date Day Burgundy Red Dial with Diamond

Burgundy Red is real, Burgundy Red with 48 Pieces of almost identical Diamond is rarer for the Dial on a Rolex Date Day. This is it...HK Snob

Geneve Seal, The Poincon de Geneve

There is always the term “Geneve Seal Hallmark”, and or the Poincon de geneve mentioned on some of the Highest Quality Watches from Switzerland.
The Stringency finish requirement by Poincon de Geneve quality hallmark bears witness to its determination to raise the level of quality well above average standards, and to its desire to cultivate the Swiss tradition on fine watchmaking professions in-house.
Each of the movement will be submitted to Geneva Watchmaking School for approval. This authority of Geneva, is the only one entitled to grant and apply for his hallmark; the selection criteria are listed below
There are 12 commandments for Watch making!
Fine Workmanship
1. The fine Workmanship of all the parts of the caliber, including those additional mechanism, must meet the demands of the Geneva Voluntary Watch Testing Office.
Steel parts must have polished bevels, drawn down flanks, smoothed visible parts, polished r circular-grained screw heads ( with beveled rim and slot).
Jewelling
2. All movements must be equipped on the gear-train and escapement with jewels with polished holes. N the bridge side, the jewels must half-polished with polished sinks. There are no stipulations regarding th fourth wheel jewels on the plate.
Regulator Stud
03 The balance spring must be affixed by means of an inserted cover plate with a stud featuring a round neck and head. An adjustable mobile stud-bearer is acceptable.
04 Inset of split indexes are acceptable in conjunction with a holding system, apart from ultrathin Calibres where this system is not required.
05
Regulating systems featuring a balance with a variable moment of inertia are acceptable as long as they fulfil the requirements specified under article 3, point 1.
Going Trains
06
The wheel sof the going chain must be chamfered above and below and have a polished sink. In wheels 0.15mm thick or less, a single chamber is allowed on the bridge side.
07
The pivot shanks and the faces of the pinion leaves must be polished.
Escarpment

08
The escapement wheel must ne light, not more than 0.16mm thick in large calibers and 0.13mm in calibers under 18mm, and its locking face must be polished.
09
The angle Traversed by the lever must be limited by fixed banking walls to the exclusion of pins and studs.
Shock Proofing
10 Movement fitted with shock proofing are accepted
Winding Mechanism
11
The Ratchet wheel and the crown wheel must be finished according to registered patterns.
Spring
12
Wire springs are not permitted.

......
Refer to Roger Dubuis Operation Manual
HK Snob

My Roger Dubuis MuchMore has received a revision in RD factory

Well, my Muchmore has been running for a couple of years, though the time it runs on my wrist is less than 500 hours. It is a Perpetual calendar, there are 152 parts inside, it has been very accurate that it never lose or gain more than anything I could possibly notice through the hand and dial.
I decided to send to RD for a total revision,… at their Swiss Manufacture.
After 4 months, the beautiful sales lady called me for collection, surprisingly; they gave me a “NEW” watch… exaggerated… in fact, they polished it to the same polishing as to a New watch. And was certified with a letter that allows this watch to enjoy 12 months of WARANTY!
This is the lifestyle of Enjoyment of buying a good watch, not necessary expensive, but they treat you like other of their important Customers Bill Clinton, Nicolas Cage and Britney Spears who wear the RD as I do, Bill Clinton used to own the Roger Dubuis MuchMore but not my Salmon Colour…. …. This is no other Brand can possible being go in par with... well of course this is Roger Dubuis… I like the Watch first before I like the brand, as every Roger Dubuis carry the Genève Seal on every of their watches… and their design is so unique, fashioned and daring!
The team is so professional that you may find you are not as good as they are when you talks about watches… especially the senior sales associates and the managers.
Moreover, they treat you like friends, and you can chat as free as you can. Friends of mine haven been received some dirty eyes in other shop of other brands whereby telling you that is a watch value more than 1 million… and they do not even offer you the watch to try out on your wrist.. Of course, this is Hong Kong.. We can not omit that there are shops that run in their rule of games… especially to someone they don’t know much.
16 years ago, when you speak Mandarin, the shop Keeper might not serve you, how if you dress lousy like I and Speak Cantonese like I… you may not be served… Times has changed, I have seen a Chinese man buying One bottle of Balvenie whisky with cash of RMB700,000 in HK Airport… Who can beat them with money!? May be Mr. Lee, Mr. Lau, Mr. Kwok….but definitely not a poor sales man like me!
Next time, when your next Watch buy is not yet determined, and you may have a lot of Rolex, Patek Philippe, AP, VC, JLC,…Try out this Roger Dubuis… before they go too expensive Tomorrow! Or if you do not have many good watch at all, go Buy one from Roger Dubuis... they have some good for money watch that makes you drooling...
Your Roger Dubuis is likely one of the most beautiful Elegant Watches from Switzerland.
HK Snob

How to buy a good Pre-owned Rolex in Hong Kong?

There are a lot of Tricks and fraud on selling Rolexes since 70’s; nowadays I can not rule out that there is not such practice… But the Concern is even the Seller bought Fake Rolex before they sell to you. There are so called Cocktail-Rolex in HK, though the percentage is very low but hey, Who knows!? As Even Rolex Service Centre some times had to consult expert in verifying the Authenticity of the Rolex they receive for repairing. Imagine they are under age of thirty in average, how can you expect they can have that kind of knowledge…The master watch guru is just too busy to handle all the Enquiries.
Experience and the knowledge on the watch is needed if you want to buy good valued-pre-owned Watches. Some of my advices and advices of the Rolex Collectors:
Go with a pro
Ask Local people t buy together with you
Also tricky people may look at the buyer, say if the buyers is inexperienced people and they may tend to give or recommend them "Less Good Quality Stuff" to them. This is the General practice for people who do business. That is why; ALWAYS go to some trustful stores for the Rolex.
Reliable Shops
Prefer to go the trusted Shops that have been running for many decades in HK, unless you know the shop keepers.
Price
Remember no free lunch, and No Cheap Rolex
If the price is too low, I will not buy. You know what I mean!
The price of a Rolex can be determined by it model, market demand, the Originality, condition and the accessories such as birth Certificates (Warranty card), Boxes, and even original purchase invoice.
Ocular Inspection
I will check for the usage, means that how Rough the watch has been used...
Check the outer screw thread for traces of abuse used if the tread is badly worn off.
Check for the dial if that Night Glowing Dots is original or not
Check for the Hands are bent or have been oxidized
Check for signs of the Cases has been polished or not: So Call FAT Boy is the good original case, of the case has been polished, it is “Thinner”.
Open and See
I Will ask if I can Open and see the movement, well, that is tough for you and even for me in some of the shops in HK
Buy from Dealer
I used to buy from Dealers....who can open the watch and show me... and Most of all, Dealer is cheaper.
HK Snob

If the Sky has love!

Does it recall you memory of the 90’s? It was a famous watch for the grass-root class people of HK made in the 1991-1993 by Solvil en Titus, It is no Swiss Made. Probably in HK at that time. Remember the TV ad that Andy Lau and Ng Sin Lin were playing as lovers, Andy Went to war whilst Ng waited at home. ... And the Chinese word engraved on back written “If the Sky has Love, it would last forever" touched many people hearts including you and me…
This is one of the one that my sweetie Ice has kept it until today. Ice, I always love you!

HK Snob

Citizen's Minute Repeater

This is a good piece of watch, only if you do not mind it was made of Electronics. Well, a cheapest mechanical Repeater is selling at least HKD$500,000.00. This is only 5% of it when I bought it in 1992. Recently Citizen produces a new repeater but so thick that you do not want to buy!
It is A Limited Production from Citizen, Perpetual Calendar. For the music tone is absolutely no mechanical watch can produce… it is crystal clear and loud enough to wake you up!! As it is generated by 16 bit music tone generator IC chip, water proof, Super accurate.. Just one thing, it take 30 minutes to replace the battery, it has to go through series of set-up before the watch can be used. I taught the repair man to replace the battery as the Japanese had problem in writing clear English instruction on the back of the bottom cover. I doubt Citizen dealer also had to scratch their head to replace battery and they may charge you HKD$400 for such a battery of 20 dollars.
Anyway, I am a poor snob, but at least I have a Minute Repeater!! How Can you do not have an repeater and calling yourself a Watch Collector… Don’t mock at me Mr. Rich coz I am just a honest little staff in a big Company… my monthly income is a disgrace!
HK Snob

Tissot Touch Sport watch for Hiking

I have had three Tissot Touch, my comment is good-easy-to-use watch, neat, sharp and beautiful., I like pure Titanium for all three of them. Light and durable. And I like the one on the right most as it is bigger, more futuristic design rather than all-circle-round shape that every one is making... But one thing I had to remind you, they are not too reliable as I had two failure that I had to change for the enture piece of PCB-board, it costed me HKD$650 two years ago and now HKD$1450.00. delivery 8 weeks!
This kills the customer as Why They have to take so long to replace a defective main-board!?

HK Snob