Cartier

In 1847, Cartier established his name in providing jewelry to the Royal family in Paris. Cartier's jewelry was characterized by a light, airy touch, in contrast to the overly formal and overwrought ornaments of the period. In early 20^th century, watch was produced

In 1904, Louis Cartier met the Brazilian aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont, who complained of the unreliability and inconvenience of pocket watches in flight. Cartier rose to the challenge, designing a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was not only a hit with Santos-Dumont, but also with Cartier's many clients. Thus, out of this timeless design, the "Santos" watch was born. Incredibly enough, this Cartier “Santos” watch is still produced today in much the same form.

The introduction of the Baignoire and Tortue Cartier watch models (both of which are still in production today) took place in 1912, followed by the Tank model's debut in 1917. In 1932, the watertight watch, made especially for the Pasha of Marrakesh, raised the bar even higher. Needless to say, the innovations, both in terms of design and technology, continued apace.

Today, Cartier's best-sellers is "Tank" watch ; the hot and fashionable "Tank Francaise", a distinctive sports watch similar in concept to the Santos; the "Pasha" watch, which has become a very fine watch for ladies; and the "Panther" watch , which features a beautiful bracelet available in 18K gold, stainless steel and gold, or stainless steel. The Santos 100 is also one of the hot models for Cartier.  

Amongst the recent Cartier watches, Santos 100 solid Pink gold is my favourite, it is priced at HKD$184,000.00.

HK Snob

Rolex Platinum Day Date Ref 118260

Platinum is the rarest of all the major precious metals. It is the heaviest and most dense of all precious metals. It will neither oxidize nor easily deform by itself.

When the Metre system was introduced, the standard reference for both the meter and the Kilogram were produced in a platinum-iridium alloy so as to make them as impervious as possible to chemical and physical deformation. Twenty tons of ore must be extracted at depths ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 metres underground to accumulate enough platinum to make one Rolex Day Date Ice blue watch case!

Platinum is particular heavy and resistant, it is extremely arduous to work. The Hugh specific gravity platinum makes great demands on the skill and experience of watchmakers. To ensure a fully watertight oyster case, for instance, they must adjust its parts to within one-hundredth of a millimeter! 

The fabrication of a mere five watchcases in platinum results in as much wear on tools as fabricating some one hundred gold cases. Though they are milled and cut by CNC (computer numerical control machine). That is tedious to monitor the tool life and also take much work to perfect the final polishing by hand.

In short, a Rolex stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Date Just watch is selling $X, a solid yellow gold Day Date is selling 4X, and a platinum Day Date Ice-blue is selling about 9X! You can see what value is Platinum is!

Rolex Ice Blue Day Date is my dream Rolex watch, as it is Grey-white, purity, sleek look on smooth polished bezel, low-profile, solid and elegant, heavy, and Most of all, it can be used in all occasions!  

Ref 118206-83206 Rolex Day Date Ice-blue Platinum is now selling at HKD$430,000.00, subject to 5% discount in HK Rolex AD.

HK Snob

Vacheron Constantin dress watch of the 80s

Vacheron Constantin was one of the lines of hi end brands in HK in Early 80s.  Patek Philippe, Audemar Piguet, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex and Omega,

2^nd line is Chopard, Tag Huer, Longines, Jaeger LeCoultre, Tudor, Ebel, Juvenia, Sarcer

Followed by Ernest Borel, Titoni Cyma, Rado, Seiko, Sandoz,

There are many many good watches available but the advertisement and the marketing media of the watch dealer will more or less determine how successful the watch sales could be accepted by their target customers. Of course, there are no short cut for success, Quality!

Vacheron Constantin is one of the say top Four in 80s’ PP, AP, VC and likely Rolex.

ThiS is a watch fully planted with diamonds VC 25510/000R 8.1272, price is about HKD$680,000 bling bling! 

HK Snob

Glashutte 22 Jewels Vintage Automatic

This is another chronometer made by early factory house of Glashutte in Eatern Germany, where the current Glashutte is still there.
This is a high quality watch in the early 60s' gold plated, very large size of 38mm. It belongs to Stephen who is a collector for early Glashutte!
HK Snob

IWC Schaffhausen

IWC, a name in Switzerland who is carrying passion for creation a style, a trend, and pursuit of impeccable Quality watch with Swiss culture.  
HK Snob

Tag Heuer Calibre S

Tag Heuer has always been known for their top-notch diving and formula car race timer watches, with many of their watches ranking among the top watches in the world. Somehwat like the Monaco, that is one of the beautiful watches from Tag Heuer. With the Calibre S Chronograph, TAG Heuer stepped it up a notch or two. This watch is specifically and masterfully designed to be the best watch TAG has ever made. A new way to display the chronograph, powered by a super precision Quartz engine. very massive case as it is made of high quality stainless steel, smooth and comfortable to wear but the watch will not move around your wrist. Battery can likley last for 5 years in normal use, unless your set your chronograph frequently.
HK Snob

Hamilton's latest Release, the IntraMatic

Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. 120 years long and eventful travel from Lancaster in the US to Biel the world capital of watchmaking in Switzerland. Hamilton watches combine the American spirit with the unrivalled precision of the latest Swiss movements and technologies. Known for its innovative design, Hamilton has a strong foothold in Hollywood, with products appearing in 400 films. The brand also boasts a strong aviation heritage. Hamilton is a member of the Swatch group, the largest watch manufacturer and distributor in the world with 160 production sites in Switzerland.

EXPLORE THE DEEP ROOTS OF THE HAMILTON WATCH

The new Hamilton IntraMatic takes its inspiration from a namesake Hamilton timepiece dating from the 1960s. After the exposure at Baselworld, March 2012, lot os people is asking of when this watch is available/.  Its styling reminisces of the first timepiece’s slender dimensions, as it measures about 7 mm in height not including the dome lens. The original watch was equipped with a Büren micro-rotor automatic movement. Today’s interpretations use an ultra-modern, high-performance ETA 2892-2 with 3.8mm thick. automatic movement with power reserve of 42 hours and highly resistant materials that are definitely here to stay. And in tune with the times, the 2012 Hamilton IntraMatic comes in a 38 mm and a 42 mm version to cater for evolving tastes and diverse wrist sizes. Available in steel or gold PVD plating, in two case sizes: 38 and 42 mm. Black leather strap. Recently, IntraMatic is very popular in Japan and in HK.
HK Snob

 

Face Lifted Rolex Explorer I

This is a 39mm new face lifted Explorer I, ref 214270 it was made larger to a size of 39mm. Which looks a bit more updated to the new age people for demand of a bigger size! Well, the movement is still the same: good sturdy accurate Movement...made by Rolex
Price is HKD$43,605.00
HK Snob

Patek Philippe Geneve

After the first Book “Patek Philippe Geneve” was published by Alan Banbery, there were  numerous requests for the second book. This is the second “Patek Philippe Geneve” published solely to Patek Philippe collectors.

I bought this book at Swindon book store at Lok Road, Tsim Sha Tsui in 1987. The price was HKD$1,380. I believe that is not cheap at all, and I do not know if we still can buy this or not?

It is all about Patek Philippe history, important creation, important Watches, Prototype watches, how do some of the watch works, such as Automatic, Perpetual calendar mechanism, spilt second and Repeater and some of the new development of Patek Phlippe watches.  A good reference book for Patek Philippers.

HK Snob

Rolex Turn-O-Graph Stainless steel

This is one of the most Popular Model of Rolex ever sold, The Date Just, 60% of Rolex Sales goes to Date Just. I personally Like Turn-O-Graph most due to the display: Red Pointer, Red Date, and Red "Turn-O-Graph" wordings. Stainless steel, all time Classic Smart Rolex!!
This Rolex belongs to my Handphone dealer, He is fan of Rolex too.
HK Snob

Simple is Best?

This is a World that contains different people of all kind, he who can not satisfy with what they are having, and always want to get more advance products, new handphone. New face lifted car, and keep changing watches. Well, 30 years ago, people wanted to wear smaller watch, 33 MM is the trend from Italy for Rolex, there were small number of people worn 36mm Rolex in HK. Look at today, many people criticized my Rolex Day Date is too small, as they are wearing a “Huge Clock” of 54mm on the wrist. I am not trying to say I am mis-aligned with the current Fashion and trend for big, but I think there is a limit.

As you can see, many people have gone back to basis. As sometimes watch is just an instrument to tell time, and as the same time a men’s accessory.

These are the latest example of simple Watch

Panerai
Radioimir California 3 Days PAM424

A Funny Dial made up of Roman and Arabia number , which they are California Dial, It was used for the Military Divers,  once the diver was caught dead by enemy, they can not tell who they are from their watch. Panerai has used this California Dial like PAM249, PAM262. PAM349, 2011’s PAM376 and 2012’s PAM424 as shown. Equipped with P.3000 hand wind movement, there is OP logo as on the 6’ o’clock position, this is mostly ensure that will be hot item, Go and find it.. it is listed at HKD$68,000.00

Jaquet Dorz
Grande Heure Onyx

There is only one hand to tell the time on 24 hours calibrated dial. Each division is indicating 10 minutes. That should be good enough for someone like you working as a CEO, or CFO, but not too good for a pilot or a train master. The dial is made of black Onyx, classy and mysterious, equipped with 24JD53 auto movement, that can store up 68 hours’ energy, 43mm case was made of hi carbon steel, Price is around HKD$89,500

Van Cleef & Arpels
Pierre Arpels

Thin as Piaget 830P manual Wind watch, as the movement is exactly Piaget 830P. There are 38mm and 42mm White Gold and Rose gold, The good example of a Dress watch for your party and may be work in office. Clean and Sleek Profile that fits perfectly on your wrist.

Price:42mm Rose gold is HKD$136,000

If I were asked to choose, I take Van Cleer & Arpels for my own use, then consider Jaquet Dorz for collection and Panerai if I still have the budget.

HK Snob

 

Beautiful Women and their Watches

These are those stars on the Celluloid, models and celebrities who used to wear Rolex... Mostly Daytona and Date Just.
HK Snob

Celebrities and Rolex

These are familiar faces that wear Rolexes on their hands. Their watches are mostly Daytona, Submariner and Milgauss.
HK Snob

Chanel J12, A Beautiful watch for the beauties!

Chanel, a name in the Perfume and couture since beginning of 20^th Century.

Not until 2000, A Ledgend  Watch J12 was in production, it took  not too long for the J12 had became a real symbol of glamorous luxury watch with a touch of French Extravaganza style. Chanel is very young name in watchmaking business. Chanel’s first watch, called Premiere was created in early 1987. All watches and their movements are manufactured in Switzerland in Chanel’s own workshops. Chanel watches design is amazingly simple and ascetic, so everybody will be able to recognize a J12 from a distance - it leaves such a strong impression.

The automatic movement used to produce this remarkable watch is very sophisticated and precise.

The white or black ceramic style used to make as case as bracelet. This ceramic coatings was borrowed from a recipe created by NASA to build parts for their rocket ships. Ceramic is a nice and durable material and is an alternative way from the usual metal and leather materials used on watch market. It is cold, hard and a bit brittle, it can stand high temperature.

Ceramos® evolves from the platinum-coloured high-tech ceramic which Rado introduced in 1993.

And has been the leader in apply ceramic alloy to make watch since 1978 if I can still remember correctly.

.They have many like 23 different models to choose from currently from Chanel models of the traditional 38mm watch available. No matter white ceramic, black ceramic, white with diamonds, black with diamonds, pink sapphire, pink gold to name just a few. There is also a larger 42mm GMT watch, a Superleggera, which is a certified chronograph plus an array of exclusive editions and custom versions of this remarkable timepiece.

Movement, who cares if that is Geneva Seal, double goose neck trimmer, 28 jewels or 19 jewels of not as I believe people buying this watch is solely for the design and outlook but not movement. And That is why they make one and only Tourbillon, as Chanel knows no one would likely to spend USD$200,000 for a Chanel Tourbillon.

Chanel has released the very limited edition (only one made) J12 Tourbillon watch to commemorate the re-opening of their store in Beverly Hills. It is made of ceramic, white gold, and blue sapphires. The timepiece is manually wound but has a power reserve of 100 hours! This model has ‘Beverly Hills No. 1/1’ inscribed on the back. Who is the lucky one to be the owner of this watch?

More and more Celebrities are owning a J12 after the pursuit of the Chanel hand bag.

Kelly Osbourne, Jessica Simpson, Heidi Montag, Sharon Osbourne, Fearn Cotton, Michelle Yeoh, Kung Li, Ashley Tisdale, Dale Winton, Faye Wong and many others are fans of Chanel. In HK, when you walk in IFC, or Landmark, I guess that there is at least one out of 12 women ages between 30-45 who is wearing Chanel J12.  Why? simply, because they are comfort to wear, easy to match with their clothe, beautiful especially those with Diamond bezel, and of course, because they are Expensive.. That is none of the challenge of the Woman of HK…to buy the expensive one! For those charming and sophisticated lady, he got it free from her boy friends!

HK Snob

It is not a Uylsse Nardin, it is not JLC, it is a Rolex!

This is not an Uylsse Nardin, nor Jaeger Le Coutle, in fact this is a Rolex Ref 1002 modified by replacing with a special Dial, likely the craving was made on a silver base-pate and then plated with Platinum.It was likely made between 1980-1990. Well, I think it is fun to wear as this is very unique and attractive!... and everyone knows that is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual even look at it far away as Rolex has a very unique profile and shape!

HK Snob

IWC Ref.37170 Pilot Watch 42mm Chrono-Auto.

IWC Ref.371701 Pilot watch 42mm. Chrono-Auto.

An IWC Ref.371701. Self-winding . Small seconds hand with stop function. Day and date display. Split-seconds hand for intermediate timing. Screw-in crown. Soft iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields which is IWC favourite application Design. Convex sapphire glass, nano-coating of an antireflective on both sides to reduce flare.

Secured against displacement by drop in air pressure, Water-resistant 60 metres. Stainless steel Case height 14.7mm.X 42mm. with Black Crocodile leather strap with Stainless steel buckle. Paper and Box. Ask for $26,000.

This is a Iconic watch of IWC and has been one of the top seller models for IWC, IWC fans should have at least one watch of this type after the Engineer II and or Davinci!

I was an IWC fan when I bought my first IWC Solid Gold Little second hand from Kiu Tai Yu in 1986. That watch never steal a second a day from me. a beautiful, accurate and Classic watch… Stupid that I sold to my school fellow with just HKD$2,000.
This particular IWC is now for sales at HKD$26,000 with Cert. Box and everything.
(Sold on 21 July 2012. at HKD$25,000.00)

HK Snob