Nicholas Tse, the Embassador of Oris, the RED Rotor Watch

Taken By Samsung Note II at Ocean Terminal TST 23 Dec, 2012

Nicholas Tse 謝霆鋒 was born in Hong Kong on 29 August 1980, he is the son of actor Patrick Tse (謝賢) and actress Deborah Lee (狄波拉). Being 32, he has been actively involved in Singing before till 10 years ago, focused on filming. He is now embassador of Oris.
Over 100 years Oris has been making watches in Switzerland. Their watches are purely mechanical and are marked out by their distinctive design as well as the red rotor, the symbol of Oris mechanicals. Oris watches are also popular, as celebrities from Formula One, diving, jazz, aviation, and Hollywood stars.
HK Snob

Patek Philippe Ref, 3449-G1 Perpetual Calendar Automatic Gold watch

Patek Philippe 3449-G1

Patek Philippe. An extremely rare, attractive and very important 18K gold manually-wound perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve,  manufactured in 1961.

Cal. 23-300 Q nickel-finished lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 18 jewels, Gyromax balance, silvered matte dial, applied gold dot and baton indexes, windows for day and month, subsidiary dial for moon phases and date, circular case, stepped bezel, snap on back, stepped sides, straight angled lugs, 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed37 mm. diam.

Known to have just three pieces on Earth.

One in Patek Philippe Museum, one in HK as there was no customer wanted to buy at Lam Yuen Fung, the sole agent of Patek Philippe in the 60s’ the watch was retained by Lam Yuen Fung and it was shown on Asia TV series "把酒當歌"on 21 Dec 2012.

The other One was known to be sold at Christie with ($1,589,632) on 14 Nov 2011.

This watch is estimated to be at least worth HKD$15,000,000 if it is asked for auction now I guess.

HK Snob

Rolex Ref 18039 Day Date White Gold with Oak Dial

The one on left is birch dial and the one on right is Oak, not the same

 

We had a Hi tea watch gathering in TST on 22 Dec Sat, at a Cha Tsann Taang we used to go and two of my best old buddy watch collectors showed up with his watch, one is wearing PP and other is carrying a Rolex DD 36mm with Oak Dial of chocolate brown colour. That is a rare one especially in White Gold!

Friend of mine is asking me for HKD$85,000!
On the left is Patek Philippe Model 5035R Pink Gold calendar Date Automatic with 24 hour indication, I know the them for more than 20 years, he is a Collector of Patek Philippe and Rolex.
The one on Right is mine... That I used to wear in these days.

HK Snob

 

Philippines President's Choice for Watch... Breguet

Yesterday's ( 21 Dec) Enquirer showed the watch that Philippines President Aquino  wearing is a Breguet type XXI flyback chronometer 42mm if I am not wrong. The watch is about USD$12,000

HK Snob

Amy and her two friends bought five Rolex in Two days

These are the three watches Amy and her two freinds bought for one of my friend's Rolex AD,
I am sure they are all happy to get a Xmas' Special Discount... And thanks for allowing me to post her memorial picture. Hope that everyoine has a good memory about HK and wish the Rolex Would bring them Luck all days over the years. Two of them is Ref, 116400 Milgauss Black Dial. The one in the bottom is Ref 116034 with Diamond!
Hi Amy, keep in Touch!
I just know that Amy's father and sister was aware of that deal and they went to buy another two more Rolex.... Well, Amy, I hope everyone one HK could afford to buy Rolex like buying pizza, and this would definitely makes HK's GPD raise for another 0.1 %. Thanks for your pictures.

HK Snob

SIHH 2013

SIHH 2013, Jan 21-25 Jan 2013

Since the first SIHH in 1991, The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) was created to promote Fine Watches and to offer a privileged setting for an elite clientele. There were 5 Exhibitors in 1991;  Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Piaget, Gérald Genta, Daniel Roth.

After 20 years, we will have 19 Exhibitors: A Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & merciers, Cartier, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vancleef & Arpels, Varcheron Constantin.

Amongst them, Cartier has a preview on her Cartier Rotonde Panthere Granulation Special Edition Limited to 20 pieces.

The case, in 18kt yellow gold, measures 42mm. It has 306 diamonds on the bezel and case. The dial is 22kt gold, granulated tiny balls set by hand. It features double sapphire crystals and it is water resistant to Movement is the Swiss manual-wind Cartier caliber 9601MC (Jaeger-LeCoultre).

The strap is alligator with an 18kt yellow gold deployant with 43 diamonds.  30 meters Water Resistant.

This is a very beautiful piece of Cartier Masterpiece!!

HK Snob

Common Questions on Rolex Purchase in HK

After years of exchange over 1,500 comments I Can get an understanding of most of the queries about Buying Rolex in HK.

Q. Can we use Credit card, and Can I get more discount if I use cash?
A. Basically, there is no extra discount by paying cash, and we can use VISA MASTER Charge, American Express, China 銀聯 card, but Diners Club is not preferred.

Q. Could we get a Fake Rolex in Rolex Authorized Dealer?

A. In so far we have not heard of in my understanding over at least the past 5 years.
I believe buying Rolex in Hong Kong Rolex AD is very trustworthy.

Q. What is the discount we can get from Rolex AD?

A. By right, we can have less 5% discount across  all product at Rolex AD,

Except Daytona Stainless steel black dial, selling between HKD$94,000 to HK$97,000 net,

a Submariner Ref, 116610LV and 16610LV which is so hard to get.

And price is about HKD$66,100 for Ref, 116610LV . 
Even ref, 116610LN black now stock is limited in the Rolex AD. Sometimes we had to wait for weeks.

Q. Do Some people really get more discount? Is that Allowed?

A. Yes, some of the VIP or frequent buyers get higher discount.

For example they can get less 10-14% for all Date Just, Day Date model
They can get 8% to 12% for GMT master II, Submariner model.

I think this is not recommended by Rolex, but imagine that some big buyers could buy 100 Rolex in one yer as gift,  and some collector buys also those weird watch that no one wants, do they also get less 5% only!? This is business world that we have to accept it.

Q. What is the price of grey Dealer?

A.The price of grey dealer is cheaper.

For example Explorer II is less 12%-13%

For Black dial HKD$53,000 no box

For White Dial HKD$51,500 no box

If you want box, add another HKD$500.

So there is still a better deal if you go for Grey Dealer.

Daytona Black is HKD$93,000 no box, which is HKD$3,000 cheaper than buying from Rolex AD. Whether it is worth not going to Rolex because of HKD$3,000 is another matter!

Q. Is there any risk in buying grey deal Rolex?

A. All depends how much you know about the sources of the Grey Dealer, for most of the cases is OK. Of course sometimes you have face foe the risk for buying something much Cheaper.

Q. What we should note when we buy Rolex at Rolex AD?

A. Note that the Company name on the warranty card should be same as the one on the invoice.

The Country code should be 888, or 400 that indicates Hong Kong.

The watch is fully packed and sealed with protective tapes.

There is a Rolex Red Chronometer Seal.

Instruction manual and international warranty certificate.

The right Box for your watch.

Q. It is cheaper to buy in HK than in other country?

A. As far as I know, HK still considered one of the best place to buy Rolex for the variety of choice we have, and the prices we are amongst the cheapest in the world, except someplace in Europe like Austria and Dubai that I heard that they are even cheaper by 5-10% but that appears on certain model like Daytona!

On the other side, HK is Cheaper than Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Is Price in HK same as in Macao?

Yes, there is no difference in price between HK and Macao.

Q. Is Price of HK lower than that of China?

A. I think so as I have a lot overseas people station in China come to buy Rolex in HK. Partly HK has more choice for style and Model and price is more attractive.

As for Model like 178344, Hong Kong has all the variety, Diamond at the VI index, MOP (mother of pearl) oyster or Jubilee Strap both available.

Q. Do HK have GST. VAT tax on watch?
A. HK does not impose any sales tax on watch nor other commodities yet.

Q. What Do I learn for living? Do I have any commision with the watch shop I recommend?
A. I am a Marketing Manager for Semiconductor manufacturing Equipment Supplier. I do not have any commision from the watch shops I recommend for people to buy. And some of them even do not know me! As for Rolex AD, those are my friends working there and this is what friends are for, help them to make more sales.

HK Snob

Rolex Day Date of fancy colour as some of the rich man toys

The Collection of one of the HK Rolex Collectors 

This is one of the many boxes of one of the HK Rolex Serious Collectors, he is really a kind of man that would like to pursuit of good stuff as his new toys, he can buy two Vintage Rolex a Day, where I am still scratching my head and checking my bank account for the one I love,, and next day someone told me ; Sorry, that Rolex was sold!
Of course I am just a trivial nothing at all in terms of number of collection or amount of collection.

There are a lot of people who has over 500 Submariners  and there are some people who has over 1,000 Rolex , that is a class of Collector, and I am not.

I spend wisely as mainly I have little budget.  As beside Watch, I collect Pen, Vinyl, Tubes and lovely little men accessories like Cuff link and tie clip of the olden times,
I am a blogger which I find fun and friends, I study about Rolex and I find that I know nothing about Rolex, but that is the Fun!

When you are young, and when you are affordable, try to buy something you like and that would not cause you too much… what is that, not a Car, not a branded cloth nor shoes from Italy, it about a piece of good watch like Rolex that you can use it, abuse it, dip it into water casually whilst washing hands, and tiny Scratches as good memories as you do up mountain climbing, but do not worry, it wouldn’t lose it glory as it is a Rolex.

HK Snob

Early Merry Christmas Greeting

This is a message sent from HK Snob to all Watchers, Watch lovers, watch collectors and watch dealer.

I wrote it by using a 1972 Montblance masterprice 82 fountain pen.

The original message was created by John Greenleaf Whittier.

HK Snob

Aftermath, Thanks for CaCa to remind me that I missed the dot on the i, well, it used to miss one dot and other, that is my style,  am I trying to defend? Well, Thanks Caca!

Rolex Submariner Ref, 16800 for sale

It seems that the non-date 5513 is more expensive to buy. A 16800 is the less expensive to for Snobs to consider!

 In the early 1980's the Ref. 1680 was the first fitted with a synthetic sapphire crystal and the caliber 3035 movement and renumbered as Ref. 16800.

The early version of the Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 16800 is considered transitional since the model still carried the matt dial but was now rated to 300 meters (1,000 feet) and equipped with the new movement.

It is a great watch to buy, an all round watch to wear with a taste of Classic. Note the Great Colour of the Index!! 

Now I have one asking only at HKD$39,000. Complete with all originals dial, parts, movement, crowns strap, and an extra thick cowhide strap for our special day!

HK Snob

PS, the watch was sold on 4 Jan 2013

Roger Debuis Much More 18KT Solid Rose Gold Perpetual Calendar on Sale

This is a Watch movement made in 2003, and put into the massive case on end 2007, It is so serious to make such watch for 5 years, may be there were designing the proper case. Then it was sold in 2008. It comes with complete original packing and Box and Waranty Certificates, leather folder. I had sent this watch to Roger Debuis Manufacture Geneve last summer for Cleaning. And I was returned with a total touch up on the cases and everything I can see through my naked eyes.
It became newly revived RD Much More.
And it came with a one-year waranty letter, signed by Roger Debuis manager such that I could feel little bit better to pay HKD$18,000 for that cleaning and health check.

Siince then the watch was left idle for may be once a month or two, I put in on Winder to push him to do some jogging!

It is super accurate, you do not see any singificant time changes when you use it on your wrist.
Now it is for sale, or trade for Rolex DD, Or Submariner, asking HKD$168,168 if you want to buy it.

Note that it weight about 155 grams, it is massive and good looking, the huge dome crystal is very difficult to polish, and the bottom sapphire is also convexl, it is very hard to be polished for the right curvature fitting the case. The movement was stamped with Geneva Seal.

The Salmon Colur Dial is an outstanding attaction, It is a low profile watch with a Huge High profile body!

It is limted into 28 pieces, and Bill Clinton and Nichlas Cage has one each, so besides you, there are only 25 more people who could possibly possess this Time peice, a masterpiece from Roger Debuis.

HK Snob

Rolex Ref 18038 18 KT Yellow Gold Day Date with Birch Dial for Sale

Ref 18038 is the most adorable Rolex Day Date as it has been made with many fantastic colour and material for the dial.
This 38mm Day Date shown here has a birch dial; every dial is unique and no one has the same pattern. This is one the the beautiful colour. the pattern is evenly distributed across the whole surface, it is very sharp and it is rare for new Rolex watch to have this dial any more. The only way is go for the pre-owned Day Date.
One of the A must Dial for Rolex Day Date Collection, private offer for just HKD$44,000 only.
The Day dial was printed in Spainish!
HK Snob

This Yellow Gold DD with Birch dial was sold on 2 Jan 2013

Rolex Date Just Ref, 16018 18KT Solid gold for Sale

This is a like new Rolex DJ 18KT solid gold men's watch 38mm Ref 16018 with a Onyx dial which is rare for new Rolex watch now as the cost is high to make a Onyx dial now! It can last forever, this is really a perpetual dial for a Perpetual Rolex Oyster!
Excellent condition Rolex Date Just, asking for HKD$38,000!
That is the price of a Rolex Stainless steel Air King, what else you can buy now with HKD$38,000!?
It looks great on women too!
HK Snob
This watch was sold on 4 Dec 2012

Kris Aquino Wears Patek Philippe, the Legendary Nautilus

Kris Aquino is wearing Patek Philippe Ref 7010/1 R Rose Gold Nautilus. That is a kind of watch for President's sister!

Gerald Genta and Nautilus

Gerald Genta, who created such opuses as AP Royal Oak, Ingenieur SL, Vacheron Constantin 222 and many other unique models.

Collaboration with Patek Philippe started with a meeting in a hotel restaurant at Basel World in 1972. Henry and Philippe Shtern were so much interested what made Genta to create the Royal Oak. Gerald had a  consideration of creating  smooth and round lines resembling sea waves as he considered the favourite sports skiing and Sailing of Philippe Shtern.

Gerald drew a script of a watch prototype on the restaurant napkin by a pencil. Genta took home and forgot where was it for some months.

Later Gerald remembered about an unclaimed sketch when Piaget made a offer to him to design thin sport watch for their new extra-thin movement. Immediately Gerald presented the script of “Nautilus” to Piaget company. However Piaget was not ready to approve release such an innovative watch design. Or if Piaget would accept Gerald's design Patek Philippe wouldn't have any Nautilus watch anymore!

At 1974 BaselWorld exhibition Gerald Genta visited an agent of Patek Philippe Mr. Fiollette in the United Arabian Emirates. Mr, Fiollette asked Genta if he could offer him some elegant sport watches. As a coincidence the napkin with a sketch was found in Genta's pocket! And in 1976, Patek Philippe released a new watch “Nautilus!”

That was Nautilus watch of 70s. Patek Philippe had created an immense influence on Swiss horology, making it following the latest fashion trends as a sportive watch of elegancy. Year after year, Nautilus remains one the important sport watch designs main stream, like Royal Oak of Audemars Piguet till today and probably tomorrow.

Charles  Gérald Genta was borne in May 1, 1931, and passed away on Aug 17, 2011 at age of 80, I think Genta is one of the most important men in the history of recent Swiss Watch design!

HK Snob

AP Royal Oak 18K Solid Gold Jumbo1972 on Sale

This is an AP Royal Oak, one of my AP Royal Oak, This Yellow Gold watch is rare and not so many people got a chance to see it unless in AP Exhibition and or some other Auctions. It was the creation of gerald Genta who designed watch to change the fate of the whole AP company for profit.
This watch has never veen polished at AP, it has been worn for a while. It is very accuracte which is important to tell the movement is Good, I have been trying to wear it for two weeks, I could see that it gained half a minute or less, so everyday it gains about 2-3 seconds. That is the accuracy of a Chronometer.

Attached the Waranty booklet of the watch. This watch was engraved with Serial number of two digits! I believe the first launch of this 1972 Gold verison is less than 200 pcs.

Beginning of the year, an Auction of the same 1972 watch in Stainless less had a hammer price of HKD$311,250.

The new 2012 release AP Royal Oak Retro Rose Gold 39 mm is selling at HKD$471,000.00

HK Snob

Rolex Day Date President Mens 18K solid gold Ref 18038

This is a Special Colour Rolex Mens President , "Purple Dial" I have been checking many Rolex ADs, this colour was told not been released in HK. Correct me if We are wrong.
This watch was a special release to Japan. Sorry that I can use any phone camera to capture the original colour of the dial, it is not blue, but always it appears "blue" here!
It comes with Paper, 1984, Sapphire Crystal, this watch is very accurate, I have been using it for a while and looks like it gains 35 seconds for 14 days which is well below Rolex Speciification.
it Comes with Rolex Solid Gold strap with 22 sections, price is HKD$88,888.00
Contact feverip266288@yahoo.com.hk if someone is interested in, or trade with some other Rolex.
HK Snob
PS
I tried to take numrous Pictures and finally the last one showed the true colour of the Watch which is close to the Colour of the Bentley.