Rolex AD Chow Tai Fook Mong Kok Main Branch

This is one of the Rolex AD at Mong Kok MTR exit. One of the Major Rolex Outlets!

One was taken at night yesterday.

Mong Kong Snob

Tag Heuer Watch Winder

This is a new Tag Heuer made for your expensive watch that might need to taken care of,.,. Especially those Perpetual Calendar and Grand complication. For those People who has a Rolex and especially like I, use it very day does not need to spend this extra few thousand dollar for this Watch Winder…
Slanted angle, with three different thickness cushions where your expensive watch is fitted on. Perfectly slot into the center tough of the Winder, press power switch and select type of Rotation Mode, tat is done...
Mode 1, rotate left for 4 min 58 Secs, the rotate B Right , after 2 hour 48 mins stops , go to mode A again then B for 8 times and stops. Mode 2, Rotate similarly but run for longer hours…
Problem is the watch winder is not designed for keep the watch in rotation winding mode for days… It is used for maintaining certain power when you return home after works and use it next morning…
That is what I can read from the Japanese Manual...unless I am wrong.

HK Snob

PS: Tell you wife no need to put her quartz Piaget Dress watch on it…

Luhw Watch Pace checker

When we put our watch for a health check, the first thing to do is to measure the accuracy of the watch…
There is a tool for every watch smith to check this... Check the Mechanical Pulse or pace of the watch, it display the accuracy of the watch under test.
It can change it detection mode to match the frequency of the watch, 1-6 positions is possible.
If you had a lot watch, and you are an armature watch smith, you may need to buy this
German Design and likely made in China, price is about HKD$5500.00
It has a cable connecting to your Note book for data storage and further analysis…
Let me check my Perpetual Calendar and Rolex Day Date Ref 18038…
HK Snob

Rolex Ref 18038 Black Dial Day Date

This is another Rolex Day Date black dial in the year of 1990. Has just been restored the casing by Hong Kong Rolex Service Centre. Suprisingly Only HKD$250. But all it takes is 3 weeks time, if you can wait....
HK Snob

Rolex Explorer II Orange white dial One Set available

Hi ALL Rolex Fans and lovers and those who have asked me for in the Comment column,

There is one Brand new Explorer II Orange White Dial One piece locked up for me... anybody wants it and transactioin has to be done in these two days before Xmas...

HK Goods Brand new at Rolex AD...

Mail to feverip266288@yahoo.com.hk

Merry Christmas and Happy New Rolex...

"Some Watch Fan got it already on Today 23 Dec 2011."

HK Snob

Rolex Yacht Master Ref 16622

Rolex Yacht Master is not one of my favourite series from Rolex, as it does not carry any important story, history of an adventure, expedition or exploration. The one shown here is stainless steel watch with a Platinum Bezel.

HK Snob

1969 Revue Automatic Watch

This is a stainless steel Automatic watch made by Revue. How it was merge with Vulcain to form Revue Thommel watch in 2001.
This is a typical design of the 1970 watch.
HK Snob

Cartier Gift for Christmas

This is a poster taken at Ocean Terminal, see that lovely Panther, The ICon for Cartier. Go for a Bubble if your beloved likes Cartier, or A Rolex for your boy Friend, husband, They must love to get one from you, and They must remember you... Don't believe!? Try buying one for them, or me!

Cartier Santos 100, Rolex Submariner Ref 116610LV, Explorer II orange Pointer, Day Date Ice! Blue!
Ocean Terminal Snob

Rolex Hot Item is available Sub, GMT Master II and Daytona

Dear All Rolex Fans,
There is at least One Submariner Ref 116610LN and one GMT Master II green Hand Ref 116710LN2 at One Rolex AD Today at HKD$661,00. less 5%,
One Daytona Everrose With Leather Strap Ref 116515 with HKD$203,870 net.
Mail me for deatil...
Hurry up, that items may last for 2 days....
Mong Kok Snob

The Purple Gold TechnoMarine

This is a piece of TechnoMarine I saw when I took one of the SFC Celebrity's Technomarine for the replacement of the strap at Causeway Bay TechnoMarine Shop, Purple in colour on the strap and case with heavily plated Gold, it looks like if that is a Solid Gold Watch. Large about 40mm, Unisex design, if you like beautiful fashioned stuff on your wrist, this is it!

CausewayBay Snob

More on the Ref 1807

Well, Today, after two weeks, My friend brought me his Ref 1807 which is Totally Can be described as "Near Mint" and I have to curse myself on how to get the amount of Money to Buy this rare and Beautiful Watch that I may not be able to see in coming three years.

This is beautifully hand crafted with bark pattern, very Classic that made me think of long lost Waterman CF 14K Solid Gold Fountain Pen...

It should be a collectible item. Like the one I missed Lapis Blue Dial Solid Gold Submariner now called for USD$80K in Auctions!

HK Snob

The Rolex Submariner 5513 worn by Roger Moore in 'Live and let die' sold in for USD$244,655 in Christie Geneva, 14 November 2011

This Rolex Reference 5513 Submariner has been modified by Q to include both a buzz-saw bezel, which Bond uses to free himself and Solitaire (Jane Seymour) before they could be fed to hungry sharks and a hyper intensified magnetic field generator. It was strong enough to stop a bullet, which it did in Bond’s final showdown in the movie, as well as helped Bond unzip Madeline Smith’s dress without laying a finger on her.
The unique watch was produced by Rolex in 1972 and still has its original bracelet. The razor sharp buzz saw bezel is still in place, the case-back is signed Roger Moore 007, and there is a small pinhole where there was once a thin wire installed to help unzip Miss Smith’s dress during filming.
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, 200m, Submariner, Ref. 5513, case no. 2'683'776, manufactured in 1972 and then converted.
Movement removed to allow customization, black dial, luminous baton and dot numerals, , tonneau-shaped case with calibrated rotating black bezel with saw-tooth edge, luminous Mercedes-style hands, modified screw back, the inside case back signed Roger Moore 007, screw down crown, stainless steel Rolex Oyster expandable bracelet with deployant clasp stamped 7-72, a small hole in the end links used to attach an invisible wire to unzip Miss Caruso's dress, case and dial signed.
It was sold for CHF 219,000 ($242,655) through Christie’s, Geneva on 14 Nov 2011.
This same lot 182 Rolex 5513 Submariner, serial (case) number 2683776, previously sold for $37,560 through Christie’s in February of 2001. Bracelet markings notwithstanding, according to Martin Skeet and Nick Urul, Vintage Rolex Sports Models, the Live and Let Die buzz-saw Rolex manufacture date (before Syd Cain modifications for the movie, of course) is more likely sometime in 1970.
An Omega 2900.50.91 Seamaster Planet Ocean worn by Daniel Craig in his inaugural James Bond movie, Casino Royale (Eon Productions, 2006), sold for CHF 250,250 $275,409 at the prevailing exchange rate on 14 Nov.
My Question is why there is no Johnny English’s Spy Agent MI-7 Watch for Auction!? I think that there are fan who might want to bid for this Super Spy’s Watch. His watch, A Casio!?
HK Snob

Watch Talks about Rolex

My First, 2nd and third Rolex
I am not trying to saying something about Rolex as I know at least I know there is one colleague hates Rolex and even the people who wears Rolex, but so what?

Our Vice Chairman Wear Rolex Date Just, at least 10 Sales Engineers/managers wear Explorer II, one Marketing Director wears Explorer I, and One technical Manager wears Rolex GMT master II. Plus numerous ladies wearing Rolex 3,6,9 and Date just for Lady…

And Of course, a Sales man like me wear Day Date to work almost one the other day.

My Rolex stories started in 1981 as I had just able to get the first job to earn my own MONEY… I bought my very first Rolex Date Lady just at HKD$4,004 and after 6 months I sold it to my 2nd Engineer on board at RMB 2,000. After a while when I worked in HK, I bought the first Rolex Date Just Boy stainless steel with Jubilee bracelet at HKD$5,025 in Jordan Road, Opposite the Liberty Cinema快樂戲院 (I think the cinema would be torn down some 7 years ago.

1983, after a while I met the Shanghai Watch master Kiu Te Yu and Conrad Lau at HK World Wide Watch Company. I bought my first 14K Bubble Back Rolex Perpetual Oyster from him at HKD$5,000.

Later, I bought another Rolex Date Just Two Tone Yellow Gold Boy with Jubilee bracelet from Colleague, who received it as gift from Chinese friend and I still remember that has a very good number somewhat like 27882888…. and that was 1992 whereby I sold that Watch to The GM of Gemstar at HKD$28,000 because of the Lucky Number!
After that I stopped buying Rolex for a while and then I switched my collection to Swatch…

Until recent years, I had a fever and my forehead reaches a temperature of 38.38 deg C as I started collection Rolex again…. Over the years I think I have owned about 120 Rolex and some of them I let go for a while and gradually I learn from master (older Man) that My beloved model switched from Date just, to Sport Watch…
in between....Say Date Just, Air King, Explorer I, GMT master, Submariner, Sea Dweller, Daytona, Thunderbird, Day Date…

Until now, my focus is just simple; Day Date and Daytona. And Focus more on Day Date as it is very dependable….
Base on what I have been wasting money on this watch and I learn something.. and this is just my experience on Rolex… and my personal opinion only…

Rolex and Casio
I just had an argument with one of the men I know… why I like so much on Rolex, and When I showed him they watch, he said, he would not like to buy, and He would prefer o buy car, as he is a car maniac.

He is using BMW X5 and switched to 730 4 years ago, his dream buy is Porsche, he told me a digital watch is good enough for him why have to buy a Rolex.

So I had met so many people saying this o similar like this to me… and all the result is to use money to buy a Casio watch with US$40. No trouble and no stoppages at all, the Rolex will stop after using for 40 hours for Day date and 72 hours of Daytona, is this the best Rolex can make. I told him this is something like a Bottle of Petrvs 1989 and a Bottle of Cheap wine at 7-11, they are almost the same in the Chemical formula almost the same in the ingredients, they are almost the same colour (of course to me , their colour can tell a of big difference. They are Grape juice!?)

But the Petrvs is about HKD$28,000.00 and the cheapo wine at 7-11 is just HKD$130. What is the difference?

So we do not bother to keep on arguing as if one saying this to the about a Casio and a Rolex, I had to stay away form the topics and or keep quiet, there is no way to end this argument, eventually. I win the argument and lose a Friend!

Remarks, I do not have prejudice and bad comment on Casio, they are good, vibrant, accurate low cost watches for kids and youth, but not for a man like I….only

Use your Rolex Every Day
I know a lot of friend who wear a Cheap Seiko almost every day and they are serious Rolex Collector. Well, I do not understand this kind of people, I think they are either going extreme mentally, either they are afraid to be recognized as they are too rich by wearing Rolex!? Or they are fed up the performance of Rolex, No, I think they are already passed over the joy of wearing Rolex, instead they are waiting for the dream Watch….

As for myself, I use it… I use it everyday. I even I use a Rolex Day Date for hiking., and If I do not use it what the heck I keep the watch. By good to yourself, you have only 18,000 days on Earth after you have your first Rolex!

Mental Disordered people
Many Collectors keep buying watch, they keep the original invoice, original Box and packing, and put the watch Like 116610LV Submariner into the shelf, keep for years… and Never Open it , don’t mention of using it…

I do not understand this kind of behavior, as Rolex Watch is designed to be used extensively, abuse them, put them in water, fire, some times we drop it on the floor accidentally without worrying the damages, use it as we have only 20,000 days to enjoy this kind of time piece in life, you keep it in the shelf and wear a cheapo G-shock … are we insane!?

The Rich man
One of our director Younger brother who once had worked with the HK Rich Tycoon Kwok Ping SXXXX and Mr. Kwok had bought a Grade A fake Rolex when he visited Beijing, I was a bit not understand why he like to use that kind of watch. Yes, he told people that “So what If I wear a Fake watch on my hand, who dare to talk to me this is Fake? “ …a bit hilariously. But if I were there, I will talk to him, “ I am fully amazed on what you want to show as you face is, Mr. Kwok, everyone one knows you are the top ten richest men in HK, but I am feeling shame about what you wear on hand… It may jeopardize your image wearing A Fake Rolex, not just because of the money value. a Fake Rolex is really make some damages to the Swiss watch-making industry and we are looking for some HK Celebrity to promote image of HK, even the top ten man is wearing a Fake Rolex, will that be a irony to the Poor people, as they are wear A Real Rolex.

Never mind who know who is wearing real or Fake Watch, one the one who uses it should know. Watch Reflects live style, images, taste and now I know how bad the taste of the Rich people in HK is!

Charms of Rolex
Rolex watch, which can not be sold out in some period, can be bought after ten years of waiting on the long queer of purchasing order. It needs 6 months time of waiting to buy Submariner 16610LV even in HK. And for Oysterquartz, you have to wait till 2013.

Rolex versus Casio; Toyota versus Aston Martin
There are many people in the world, they believe it is really a big waste to spend so much money to buy a good watch; my Casio goes more accurately than your Rolex. It just takes me several dollars, and not need any preventive maintenance.

From some point of view, they are right. But when they walk on the road and found someone is driving an Aston Martin, they might not say it is super foolish to buy such car, it is better to buy a second hand or third hand Corolla, it is still a car that bring you from one place to the other.
I can say only people owns the car and watch can tell the difference.

In USA, most of the owner of Porsche has debt on his house, but they are living happily.

All it says is, we have only 20,000 day on Earth, if you find out that keeping your money make you happy., go ahead’s, but sometime is think we should treat us better, in a way to feel better. Well, some people like cars, some people like Hi If and some people like wine, women, Smoking, investment, whatever that make you happy, go ahead., I had a friend talks to me, Hey are you crazy, buy a Gold Finger VC 2 with USD$6,000, just to play your wrappy worn out Vinyl… I can’t tell the difference!
I said, you are good lucky man, so long you enjoy you iIphone MP3, go ahead you lucky man that you good a bad ears… stay like that… if you feel happy!! That is more than enough!

Limited Production Strategy
Panerai started it business in 1980 an Italian Old man working alone in a small shop at Florence on the restoration of Old un-used Movement to make a new watch, the watch was big and was not catching any notice by the watchers, until Richmond bought the company o 12 years ago make a series of heavy promotion, people like Silvester Stallone, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, Carol Alt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Batistuta, Alessandro Costacurta and Alberto Tomba Leonard put on his wrist and was captured world wide on Movie and TV,,, It did created a hit, it was sold publicly in the past ten years; almost all of its style is called limited edition. Either 100 , 300, 1000 pieces,

I really do not appreciate the way they market watch, the Marketing is good for revenue and sales, but the watch is lacking of mechanical design integrity and style. It may not be tomorrow’s classic when Hit on Large over sized watch is over!

Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet
Never underestimate the amazing charms and surprising feeling that Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vercharon Constantin has ever taken to people. Unless you have chance to put one on your own wrist, even a temporary experience can make you enjoy a lot.
However, base on the calculation of TCO, total cost of ownership, Rolex is at best if you use it daily. Recently I like Roger Debuis, and FM as they are beautiful watch… buy the TCO is too high for me to afford. I am Mouthwatering about the Rich Chinese men bought the PT Double Tourbillon with Repeater function… at HKD$4,600,000!

Don’t under estimate the Rolex Fans
I have been start blogging on Watch just by co-incident triggered by friend, and I thought I know about watch the more I write,, the more I learn and the more I know I have nothing about any knowledge about Rolex. I need to meet guru like The Rolex-Chat.com

Time Zone watches bloggers to learn from them. Don’t under estimate the people who you may meet on the road, some of them are really humble and pretends knowing nothing about Rolex, In fact he might be the Rolex guru!
Don’t trust the sales ladies and Sales man in Rolex AD, not all of them, but a large portion of them just don’t know much about Rolex, unless those who has been working for more then ten years.

Guido Mondani Editore
Don't Under estimate yourself, you may already know a lot of Rolex stuff, I encourage to go buying book likes “ Guido Mondani Editore” for Rolex Collection…They have numerous information and beautifully printed pictures about all Rolex Watches… a Magnificent book supply for Rolex, it is not cheap of course.
http://www.collectingwatches.com/en/

Ask Discount every time
When you are intending buying a Rolex watch, does not be afraid of asking discount from Rolex Authorized Dealer and distributor. You have nothing to lose. I had a friend who made a successful deal with Dickson watch to get a 116610LN at HKD$66,100 less 5% even he could use his AMEX card to pay in June 2011. That was a good deal!

Rolex Window Shoppers
Don't be shy to look at the Watches in the Rolex AD windows. Don't look down upon those people who stick their eyes and noses on the glass at the outside of the Rolex shopping window. The value of his collection might be much more worthy than yours. I used to stop and look at lit for hours and my girl keeps on pull my hand to leave for that, and when the does shopping I went into the shop again and start talking to the sales, Most of the People in HK Rolex AD are old, Like Chow Tai Fook, Oriental Watch and King Fook, you can talk to them as much as you like, but when they have customers you should be alert and give the customer priority!


Chinese Superstitions on Blue and White Rolex
I like Submariner Blue Dial on White Gold, which I beleive that is best Buy Rolex.

Why, the rich tycoon, the gangster Head, the Chief Police Senior Official, the Chinese CEO would never buy this most beautiful watch in its colour combintaion, as Blue means "hard to acheive" and White means " no thing left behind" in Cantonese way for Translation for Rolex.
So it is Cheapest to buy, the most beautiful combination that we can buy and like a future Classic for Rolex. Go to your nearby Rolex AD and order one.

Beware of the Aliens
The Rolex Gold Watch with the President bracelet has a lot of Glitters that attract most of the people to look at it and the first thing Alien lands on Earth I believe they will catch all the people wearing Rolex Date Day as they are the most important rich people on Earth

As an average I believe… The last one Alien will be interested in arresting is the one who wear Cheap Plastic Electronics Watch… so simply let them go, So when Dec 2012 comes, pls change your Watch to a Cheap black Casio or watch or watches you buy at Sham Shui Po Ap Liu Street. Sometimes HKD$100 get five… It Protects you from being Kidnapped, or mannapped by Aliens!

Or you should wear a Super Gold Diamond Rolex Day Date in order that you get a free rdie to another more developed Planet called "Retsyo Xelor".

Rolex for woman
I had my first K Gold Rolex Date Just for my first wife, and a men Size K Gold Rolex Date just for my 2nd, and a K gold men OysterQuartz Day Date for my Miss who…they love wearing it… I love to see them wearing it and I love to prepare one each for my daughters of course Rolex K Gold Date just Oyster boy for my Elder Daughter and My younger daughter. She likes Rolex and the other Likes Omega because of Nicole Kidman… I think she will change later because her father is a 100% Rolex Watcher!

HK Snob

Aston Martin and the Rolex Submariner

A young lawyer was driving his new bought vintage Aston Martin DB5 to court, and planned to show off his new toy to his colleague and lawyers.
He did not notice a truck passing and knocked his door when he was trying to open the door, that driver accelerated and went away!
The lawyer was mad and angrily picked up the phone called the police.
When the police came, the lawyer shouted at him: I bought the new A.M. yesterday, it was destroyed by that damn truck. And he just went away!
The police looked at the lawyer surprisingly: “Are lawyers pay attention on fact and witnesses rather than any other more important personal things?”
“What do you mean?” The lawyer asked.
“You did not find that nothing below your arm? Your are severing your arm!” Policeman said hysterically loud!
The lawyer looked down and uttered a mournful cry, “Oh My God, I lost my Gold Rolex Submariner!”

HK Snob

The Conquest Watches for Mount Everest

Human being is sometimes too small and helpless standing in front of the mother of nature.There are great explorers, adventurers could make a historical Event that no one could achieve.
Sir Edmund Percival Hillary, KG, ONZ, KBE (20 July 1919 – 11 January 2008), was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953 at the age of 33, he and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. He was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
Their watches, were known to be Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
The watch in the centre Ref 6098 with white Baton Dial, is the watch worn by George Band during the successful 1953 Everest expedition when Hillary and Tenzing made it to the summit. The case-back inscribed with the details of the expedition.
Note that it was not a Rolex Explorer, the watch worn up Everest was a white Oyster Perpetual, much like the one we've found for sale today.
On the right, George Band's ref. 6150 used on the 1955 expedition to Kanchenjunga, with the back engraved to commemorate the climb.
On the left, another identical ref. 6150 from 1953, no known climbing history the canvas strap was signed by Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing Norgay, and George Band.
Almost everyone is familiar with the name of one of the watches which was worn by Hillary and Tensing when they reached the summit of Everest in 1953 but fewer people realize that the other watch was a Smiths, as shown in the 1953 advert below:
Of course, the Smiths of 2011 looks nothing like the Smiths of 1953 but it is a reminder that a British watch accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary on that historic climb.
The PRS-25 is the first watch to use the new Miyota 9015 automatic movement. Miyota is a division of Citizen, the largest non-swiss manufacturer of movements in the world and the 9015 has been compared most favourably with the ETA2892-2.
Smiths Everest PRS-25, released in December 2011, with a Miyota 9015, 24 jewel automatic, 28800 BPH in a 40mm 316L stainless steel case, solid end link bracelet and gorgeous acrylic crystal. That is somewhat the same thing on my Rolex Ref 1803 having a warm human like temperature of the crystal. Somewhat like your vinyl instead of the cold MP3 that sounds "Digital!".

This model continues the excellent quality and value for money line of watches from Timefactors owned by Eddie Platts. please visit the web site http://www.timefactors.com/. Price is just 225 pounds.The Rolex Submariner is in there for a size comparison. It looks even larger than the Sub.!

Speciification of Smiths Everest PRS-25
CASE
Material 316L stainless steel, brushed top with polished sides
Diameter 40mm, 44mm including crown
Lug to lug height 49.8mm
Thickness 14.5mm to the top of the hi-dome crystal
Lug spacing 22mm
Anti-magnetic 4,800 A/m
Water resistance 10ATM/100 metres/330 feet
Weight 165 grammes including bracelet
Features Screw back, screw down crown, drilled lugs
DIAL
Colour Black with white printed minute track
Luminous Triangle, numbers and indices SuperLuminova C3
HANDS
Style Mercedes hands, polished steel
Luminous SuperLuminova C3
CRYSTAL
Type Hi-dome acrylic , 34.6mm diameter x 2.5mm thick
MOVEMENT
Calibre Miyota 9015, 24 jewel automatic, 28,800 BPH
BRACELET
Solid link stainless steel with screwed links and solid end links and signed clasp.

HK Snob

You are what you wear!

I came across an Interesting article found at New Straits Times…worth to share to the Watch Lovers.
Some people collect stamps. And some collect coins. Then, there's Dr Bernard Cheong. He collects watches, to the point where he says, "Practicing medicine has become something I do in my spare time."
Dr Cheong insists, has a treasure trove of people who are interested in the watchmaking industry.
Born in Kuantan, Pahang, Dr Cheong's parents chose to make Singapore their home.
New to the social dynamics at play, he felt totally out of place. "Even a primary school student would wear an Omega or Rolex. I learnt the difference between the haves' and have nots'."
Such experiences have shaped this 50-something's philosophy, which is, to champion the underdogs. In the case of watchmakers (also known as horologists), Dr Cheong tries to "recognise individuals who want to make watches but don't have the means to do so".
He explains: "Previously, it was all about the architecture of the watch, mechanics and accuracy. They were decorated with either enamel or cloisonn. I like to look at the story behind the watch. For instance," he says, turning to a window display at Khronos-Unique Horlogerie (a multi-brand watch boutique in Starhill Gallery), "take a look at these watches."
TIME-TELLING STORIES
The exquisite timepieces are from the Romain Jerome collection. The one named Steampunk contains oxidized steel that comes from the extraordinary fusion of authentic steel from the wrecked ocean liner, the Titanic.
Then there's the memorable watch crafted as a gift for Julio Iglesias during his recent visit to Malaysia. The watch rests in a custom-made case and is called Geograph Rainforest. It is a limited edition timepiece which has, "a part of Malaysia in it; there is a fossil from an oil palm tree embedded in the design," explains Dr Cheong.
"When such watches were first made, serious collectors didn't see the brilliance in them. I wanted to be instrumental in helping watchmaking companies like this achieve success."
Malaysia, Dr Cheong insists, has a treasure trove of people who are interested in the watchmaking industry. The person who comes easily to his mind is the late Datuk Rolf Schynder. "His love for Asia was reflected in his work."
HE IS WATCH-ING HIS ASSETS
Dr Cheong's collection of watches seems to mirror such evolution: his first watch was a Seiko stopwatch. "It cost me about SDG130 (RM316 ). That was a lot of money in the 1970s."
Today, wearing two watches all the time, he does find it difficult to pick a favourite from his vast collection. Eventually, he settles on the "master watch" (a prototype of sorts) given to him by Vianney Halter. Such admiration, it appears, is mutual as Dr Cheong says that Halter thanked him in his acceptance speech when Halter was awarded the title of The Best Watchmaker of the Year 2011.
Now the official ambassador for Foundation De La Haute Horlogerie, Dr Cheong stresses that collecting watches can be a good investment.

"The watch industry suffered the least during the economic crisis. You see," he elaborates, "watches are a portable asset. With real estate, you can't take it with you. With paintings and fine wine, they are fragile. But, you can carry watches worth millions from US to China without much worry. Also, it's much easier to verify the authenticity of watches than it is to verify paintings."
There are two ways to approach the task of making a watch, he says. The first is to consider the aesthetics of the watch, then figure out how to put things in place.
The second is to concentrate on how the watch functions before thinking of the aesthetics. "With computers, this second approach has become redundant," says the founding partner of a chain of clinics in Singapore called Lifeline Medical Group.
When assessing a watch, Dr Cheong looks, primarily, for the watchmaker's contribution to the industry. The doctor will ask: Is the watchmaker bringing the industry to the next level or is he just making another fancy watch?
In the end, Dr Cheong is looking for, "that Wow! factor in any watch. Beauty is not necessarily in the eyes of the beholder. I believe that the language of beauty crosses all cultures."
Dr BERNARD Cheong, believes that he can tell a lot about a person by the watch he wears. For instance:
1. A person who doesn't wear a watch at all is usually a practical person who tells the time by looking at his handphone. He likes the simple things in life.
2. A person who wears brands like Seiko is probably uncomfortable with computers.
3. A person who wears luxury watches is aware of, and comfortable with, his status and cultivates it. 4. A person who wears "one-off" watches is someone who realizes that owning such a watch is the most convenient and practical way to collect art.
HK Snob believes that you wear a Rolex will have limited room to pursue higher watch Excellence as Rolex is likely one of the best durable, reliable work horse you will find on Earth. One who wears Rolex has the kind of Greatness for good taste and appreciation on the best watch-making Industry from Switzerland.
A Journey Through Time V
What: Asia's grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase
The theme this year: Time to Celebrate.
When: Until Saturday
Where: Starhill Gallery
181 Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2782 3800
www.starhillgallery.com
PS More about Vianney Halter
http://www.timezone.com/library/rdnotebook/200501045581

The Pictures are from top:

Dr. Cheong

Vianney Halter

Streampunk watch that Contains Titanic oxidized metal for casing

HK Snob