Mickey Mouse Wrist Watch

This is a cute watch for those who adore Mickey Mouse, a good old days memories LD video  the 80s, It was sold in Hong Kong for about $120 dollars, and that is not cheap at all at that time. Swiss Made, manual Movement, may be just 5 jewels but I did not have time to open and check. It is hard to have the whole complete set as a collection.

Gerald Genta has made a cure Mickey Mouse Watch in 1989, selling at about HKD$19,000.00

Of course that is a masterpiece for those Rich Family’s Kid…

HK Snob

Hamilton P2 LED James Bond watch

In 1957, The Hamilton Watch Co of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, produced the world's first electric watch. The Hamilton Electric Watch kept time with a traditional balance-wheel mechanism which had been used in timepieces for hundreds of years and was therefore no more accurate than any other watch. However, instead of the mainspring powering the mechanism, a battery was used to power the mechanism so the need to wind was eliminated. The Electric Watch was once the Favourite watch of Elvis Plesley,

After 13 years, the first digital electronic watch, a Pulsar LED prototype in 1972, was developed jointly by Hamilton Watch Company and Electro-Data, founded by George H. Thiess. John Bergey, the head of Hamilton's Pulsar division, said that he was inspired to make a digital timepiece by the futuristic digital clock that Hamilton themselves made for 1968 science fiction film “2001: A Space Odyssey” On April 4, 1972, the Pulsar was finally ready, made in 18-carat gold and sold for $2,100. It had a red light-emitting diode (LED) display. At That time only RED LED was available, and those tiny gold wire with Diameter of 1.0 mil (1/1000 of an Inch) was bonded manually wire by wire under microscope, imagine that there are 3 digits each consist of 7 segment , plus the two dot between hour and minutes LED, there were 23 wires to be bonded. That was a kind of Hi technology as they were very small and precise. As for the stainless steel version, it was sold about HKD$580 in 1973. It was very expensive there in Hong Kong.
Digital LED watches were very expensive and out of reach to the common consumer until 1975.  Texas Instruments started to mass produce LED watches inside a plastic case.
It was sold at HKD$250 in Hong Kong in 1977. I used to go to the Shop at Hung Hom near my college to see these new gadget stuff including Digital LED watch, at that time a  I earned HKD$18 a day in an Electronics Factory to repair Transistor Radio during Summer vacation.
Pulsar lose $6 million and the Pulsar brand sold to Seiko.

Today the Pulsar is still working perfectly, that is an important watch of the 20 Century
It contains a Magnet under the clasp, the magnet is sued to adjust the Hour and Minutes just by toughing the bottom of the watch, this design of setting the time was an innovation as it can have a better seal for dust and moisture to the PCB assembly or the watch.
HK Snob

Rolex Display in Rolex Shop

When you go to Rolex AD, what kind of watches you can see most?

What I can say is Date Just as this is the best seller!

What kind of material is the most commonly seen in display? I think it is Yellow Gold!

How about the Sport model, there is limited number of Submariner, Stainless steel GMT Master, Yacht Master, Daytona stainless steel may have one White and one Black Dial, and one DeepSea.

That is why most of the younger generation would like to buy GMT Master II and Submariner black Ref 116610LN. Needless to say the Green Bezel and Green Dial Ref 116610LV would be the one everyone is looking for…as the green bezel Ref 16610LV has been discontinued.

As for expensive Gold model like Day Date, you can see only 10% is White Gold or Platinum as there is market driven especially this is Chinese Society, most of the people wear a Rolex s  expecting some kind of recognition from other People. A White gold Day Date may be more expensive than a Yellow Gold but it looks like “stainless steel” only fraction of people could tell, as “Day Date” does not come with Stainless steel and in fact White Gold looks WHITE and whilst Stainless steel looks a bit GREY.

How about the Dial colour, this is almost like the picture I took in one of the largest Rolex AD in HK yesterday, We can see Yellow gold champagne dial, white or black, nothing more!

Again this is Rolex Marketing and most of the people like to go for Gold Champagne dial as for it mixes well with the same colour case, and looks very GOLD… and Very Rolex.

Chinese Like yellow Gold Rolex.

Except the new generation younger Chinese big spenders are now looking for Pink or Rose Gold Rolex. But it really looks a bit Feminine to me. Except Daytona Pink Gold, it is beautiful.

So next time what dial colour you would like to Choose!?

HK Snob

Crazy Rolex Colour drives me Crazy!

                                                                           Onyx

                                                                       Lapis Blue

                                                  Bungandy Red Lacquer with 48 Diamonds

                                                                    Brown Lacquer

                                                                  Grey Lacquer

                                                                       Purple Lacquer

                                                                 

                                                                Orange Wood Fossil

                                                                                    Turquoise Blue Lacquer

                                                              Orange Red Coral

Stella Red Lacquer

After the Christie’s Auction on Rolex Ref 1803… Red, Blue, we can see more fantastic colour of Rolex had ever produced before…. I am sure that kind of Colour was made in very small number. As they might not be a choice by most of the Rolex fans at that time. Well, as For me…

I like all these Colour...

This kind of Rolex with absurd colour dial would be one of the ideal collectible items for Rolex Connoisseurs.

What are the colour that could melt my heart to buy!?

1. Stella Red
2. Lapis Blue
3. Turquoise Blue
4. Purple
5. Orange or Coral Reef
6. Burgandy
7. Green
8. Grey

HK Snob

No More Laser Hologram Sticker on your Rolex

A Rolex Crown mark on the 6'oclock position, can you see it!?

Since 2006* Rolex Stopped using the Hologram Sticker on the back of the watch case, instead they use Laser to burn a Rolex Trade mark “Crown” on the 6 o’clock position on the crystal. Partly the Hologram sticker was on sales internet, and there is no way to tell that is a Rolex issued sticker or not, moreover a Laser burn mark on the crystal is technical more challenge for small scale Copy Watch Maker!

They started on the Explorer I first and then implemented on other Series of watch…

Someone who did buy a New Rolex told me he can not find the Laser burnt Crown mark, in fact it is very light and difficult to see as they can not out too much power on it. This is more difficult to put a lighter mark than heavy as they laser Marker has a more sophistical electronics control of emitted energy.

You should look carefully with some light shine from sideward.. if you can not find it …. Ask someone or Rolex AD to show you… if really you can not see one, The Crystal is not Original Rolex… but this almost impossible if your watch is bought from AD. If really so, you should get a replacement!

HK Snob

Ps

Someone told me started 2006, some one told me 2005 or 2007, Who can confirm me when that was started!?

Recent Christie's Auction on Rolex Ref 1803 Blue Day Date

Rolex. An attractive 18K gold automatic calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and turquoise blue lacquered dial

Rolex. An attractive 18K gold automatic calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and turquoise blue lacquered dial
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Day-Date, ref. 1803, case no. 2'806'599, manufactured in 1971
Cal. 1556 automatic movement, 26 jewels, turquoise blue lacquered dial, applied gold baton numerals, luminous accents, sweep centre seconds, magnified window for date, aperture for day, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, milled bezel, screw back, screw down crown, 18K gold Rolex buckle, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

The final hammer price was US$36,981.00! even high than the RED!

                              Caran D'Ache Leman Bicolor Turquoise Blue Rhodium Fountain Pen

HK Snob

Recent Christie's Auction on Rolex Ref 1803 RED Day Date

Rolex. An attractive 18K gold automatic calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and red lacquered dial

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL, DAY-DATE, REF. 1807/1803, MOVEMENT NO. DD491144, CASE NO. 2'251'527, MANUFACTURED IN 1970

Lot Description

Rolex. An attractive 18K gold automatic calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and red lacquered dial.
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Day-Date, ref. 1807/1803, movement no. DD491144, case no. 2'251'527, manufactured in 1970
Cal. 1556 automatic movement, 26 jewels, red lacquered dial, applied gold baton numerals with luminous accents, sweep centre seconds, aperture for day, magnified window for date, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, fluted bezel, screw back, screw down crown, gilt associated buckle, case, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

This watch was sold At Recent Christie’s with hammer price of US$31,698.

If this is not Red dial, this watch may just be worth $6,000 only. So the Red dial could make this watch so special, again RED is everything for Rolex.

This has the same colour as this Thorens Reference Turn Table, most likely the best Functional, most Performing and most Beautiful Vinyl  Turntable Swiss Ever made for the World of Analogue.

HK Snob

Rolex or Omega

"Is that Rolex?" ..."It is Omega!"

                                       Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M "Skyfall" Limited Edition

Daniel Craig wears a Rolex Milgauss Ref, 116400

At some point in Casino Royale, something happens that even watch fans found too much. When Bond and Vesper Lynd are traveling by train, Lynd looks at Bond's wrists and asks "Rolex?" "Omega" replies Bond, and that was that.
That would be a multi-millions extra income for MGM/UA as James Bond wears Omega in the movie but how come they could mentioned “Rolex” that is a real business world, I wonder why senior staff of Omega would allow the name “Rolex” would be appears in the movie! As they are head to head competitors.
Everyone would make use any opportunity to make advertisement. Note that the Red Wine on the table belongs to Chateau Angelus, Premier Grand Cru Class from Saint Emilion.

On the other hand, the Range Rover SUV James pushes onto a line of 5 luxury cars when he was treated as a parking helper unintentionly, of course the main focus is on James Bond’s Aston Martin DBS.

What watch Daniel Wear in Casino Royale?
Seamaster 300 (Ref. 2531.80.00) + Planet Ocean which lead to some interesting spots, for example: When Bond starts to type his resignation letter on the yacht in Venice he's wearing an Omega Planet Ocean watch with a black strap. When he finished typing and closed his laptop he's wearing an Omega Seamaster.
  
Omega has also released photos of the official Skyfall watch.
Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M "Skyfall" Limited Edition will see a limited release of just 5,007 watches available for purchase.

What Watch Daniel wears when he is not in the film?
Daniel was found wearing an Rolex Milgauss and Date just in some other occasions.

So again, Rolex and Omega, is the best Choice of James Bond and Daniel Craig!

HK Snob

HK Watch Market loom to slow down in Q4

羅德公關公司（Ruder Finn Asia）和市場調查公司益普索（Ipsos）聯合發布的一份關于中國香港奢侈品市場的報告顯示，超過一半（52%）的香港市民計劃在未來幾個月減少在購買手表上的支出，此外，計劃減少購買葡萄酒、服飾、鞋和化妝品等其他奢侈品的人也有一定比例。

該報告與今年夏天發布的針對中國內地消費者的調查數據形成了對比。針對中國內地消費者的數據顯示，超過40%的人表示，他們將花更多的錢購買葡萄酒、鞋和化妝品等奢侈品，不過他們也暗示將減少在手表和珠寶上的支出。

報告6月份對2017名在過去12個月內購買過奢侈品的中國消費者進行了調查（其中大約300名受訪者居住在香港）。其中，香港受訪者的家庭平均年收入為55萬港元（約合44萬人民幣），而居住在中國內地大城市的受訪者的家庭平均年收入為人民幣18萬元。

報告還發現，香港居民購買奢侈品是為了犒賞自己，而內地人購買奢侈品則帶有體現自身品味和增強自信的目的，此外，內地消費者更有可能為送禮購買奢侈品，不過鑒于中國政府最近正對送禮之風進行打擊，這一點可能也會發生改變。

Extract from WSJ -CN 25 Sep 2012

HK Snob

Hamilton IntraMatic Men's automatic watch

This long waiting IntraMatic has finally arrived HK, 21 jewel Automatic, a Retrostyle,

9 mm total thickness including two mm convex Sapphire Crystal, an ETA movement, Date is located at 6 O’clock position, size 38mm or 42mm to fit your wrist, transparent bottom case.

They offer gold plated, Stainless Steel, Black or white dial offer for you. Friends of mine has ordered 4 pieces through me, I just bought two of the 38mm home today. Well, What can you buy now with list price of HKD$6,500 for a Swiss made watch! What I need is a additional good Alligator’s strap, it would look more elegant!

The new Hamilton IntraMatic takes its inspiration from a namesake Hamilton timepiece dating from the 1960s. After the exposure at Baselworld, March 2012, lot of 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

Rolex OysterQuatz

I am still waiting my Ref, 19019 to come as It has been in Rolex HK for changing the Day and Date Dial to Chinese, being a Collector, I like to have the Chinese Character on the Rolex as it is rare! However, they always todl me to "wait"! I am going to lose my patience to wait!
OysterQuartz was produced for about 25,000 so far, and they are Collectible item especially the White gold version. So far I have not seen a Stella Red Dial OysterQuartz, If you have seen one , do not let it go!
I have picked up some of the ads and celebrity who used to be wearer of Rolex OysterQuartz.
Note that they were sold at US$1,275 for just a stainless steel DateJust in 1979, That is an equilvalent amount of HKD$70,000 in todays money. so if you can see a good condition OysterQuartz, you can consider buying it... as it is a good price to buy now!

                                              John Houston, in  this vintage Apple Poster

                                                   Peter Habeler, A Mt. Everest Climber

                                                      Roger Heiniger, Former Rolex CEO


The Above People wear Rolex OysterQuartz Stainless steel Date Just.

HK Snob

Rolex Red Dial is Forever

                                              George Bamford Daytona Red Dial Rolex

Daytona Ref, 6263 Action price $330,000, and Tudor Prince Chronometer with Date in Red $2,500

Daytona Ref 6323 Red Dial US$330,000 Auction price,

Daytona Paul Newman, stainless steel case, Original Red dial. Rolex 6263 
is a rare species known to collectors as the "Daytona" which was produced from 1971 until 1987. This watch has an original Red Paul Newman dial with black sub-dials, stainless steel luminous markers, and screw-down stainless steel pushers.

George Bamford Red Dial US$80,000 estimated

George Bamford made this special Rolex Daytona in Red dial for Lane Crawford Hong Kong with limited edition of 8 Pieces only. The Antiquorum and Christie had a final bid of HKD$600,000.00 for this special Watch? Why people seems like to have Red as the dial for Daytona.  Who knows if this will be another Classic Collectible Daytona Tomorrow?

Red

We can find Red in Blood, it is a symbol of Life, like the Red Cross. Red was traditional associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, jealousy and love.

Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. In heraldry, red is used to indicate courage. It is a color found in many national flags.

Light red represents joy, sexuality, passion, sensitivity, and love.
Dark red is associated with vigor, willpower, rage, anger, leadership, courage, longing, malice, and wrath.
Pink signifies romance, love, and friendship. It denotes feminine qualities and passiveness.
Brown suggests stability and denotes masculine qualities.
Reddish-brown is associated with harvest and fall.

Chinese and Red ColourRed, corresponding with fire; one of the Five items in the theory of Five Elements namely Earth, Fire, Metal Wood and Water. Fire, particularly symbolizes good fortune and joy. Red could be found everywhere during Lunar New Year and other holidays and family gatherings. A red envelope (Lai Shi) is a monetary gift which is given in Chinese society during new year and some other special occasions. The color of the Red packet symbolizes good luck. Red is strictly forbidden at funerals as it is a traditionally symbolic color of happiness.

SK II

SK II was once not too successful though they discovered Pitera, a kind of substance that appearing to cause the Sake Brewery lady hand smoother. Though the sales was not good under the name of Max Factor SK II,  Later on some of change the packing into Red Package and was well accepted initially by Chinese  and Taiwanese Women since then sales was moving up even taken the position of Shiseido as the No. 1 Japanese Cosmetic maker.

See how important the Colour of Watch is, Red might be the most valuable Dial for Rolex!

A Red Dial Daytona, a Stella Red Dial Day Date, or a Red Prince Chronometer if there is no budget for a Daytona!

HK Snob

Omega De Ville

The first one was my watch I bought in 1981, it a Omega De Ville, after 30 years till yesterday, a friend of my blog told me he got the same watch shown on the 3rd picture with exception the crown design is different.

I really don't know if there are two variety on the Crown? and There is another pciture should by him that there is white gold plated one?


My one is gold plated with approx 20 microns gold, it is hand winding. I can say this is a good watch also!
Do we have Solid White Gold?

HK Snob

Rolex King Midas, the first Rolex to use Sapphire Crystal

Rolex King Madas was top of Cellini line, it was Designed by Gerald Genta. The same time Gerald designed the AP Royal Oak in 1970 and Patek Philippe Nautilus 4 years later. AP Royal Oak was launched in 1972 and Patek Philippe Nautilus was launched in 1976.

He took the design from ancient Greece, the famous Parthenon temple in Athens. The King Midas were “sculptured” from a block of 18K white gold or 18K yellow gold, weighing between 150 and 190 grams, depending on the model and gold. It was the heaviest weight gold watch available, even heavier than Rolex Date Day White Gold I am using now (150g). Note that It was the first Rolex wristwatch produced with a sapphire crystal, in 1977 Rolex started to use Sapphire Crystal on the Oyster Model. The first King Midas series, ref. 9630, was produced in a limited edition of 1,000 examples and was followed by ref. 3580, also produced in a limited edition. Ref 9630 was the first and only limited edition made left handed. Additional references were produced after the Midas collection became part of the Cellini line. Like several other Rolex models, the King Midas “starred” in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). It was worn by Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga (played by Christopher Lee). The most famous King Midas watch is one that was owned by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. In 1970.

At that time, the King Midas was Rolex’s most expensive model. In 1970 a Rolex Day-Date retailed for $1,825 and a King Midas retailed for $2,500. In 1975 a Day-Date retailed for $3,300 and a King Midas retailed for $5,500.

King Midas is not waterproof.

PS

Elvis Plesley worn Hamilton Ventura, Gold Omega Constellation, Gold Longines, Corum and the Rolex King Midas

HK Snob

Tudor 79280 Prince Chronograph Red Face Date

Tudor 79280 Prince Chronograph Red Face Date, This watch was released in 2000. A Rare Red Dial. 40mm Tudor Prince Automatic movement, Sapphire Crystal, Date, Oyster Strap, Stainless steel case and Strap, this is more or less a Poor people's Rolex Daytona Paul Newman! And I like this more as because there is a DATE where Daytona does not have, Well, the Daytona dial design seems has no more room for a Date as it is perfectly balanced with the three dials like the reversed Chinese word "品" !!

HK Snob

Micheal Tien and His Rolex

Michael Puk Sun Tien is deputy chairman of New People's Party, and the member of Tsuen Wan District Council. He is founder of The G2000 Group and the former chairman of the board of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).

He joined the Liberal Party in 2008, a party led by his elder brother, James Tien, a member of Legislative Council of Hong Kong. People has some criticized about he made "TV SHOW" by turning himself as working classs street wiper for three days, trying to undertand the way how the grass-root people works...I feel that is a good aproach if you really want to understand how poor people live in HK.

In his real life, he is a business man, and a politician, he wears ROLEX DATE JUST stainless steel Ref 116234.

That is a good choice for business man!
HK Snob