When Where you can see a lot of Rolex in HK?

This is the Chinese New year day whereby most of the people are on vacation except poor HK Snob had to work as to help the family.

In these few days started on Sunday 10 Feb as the first day to the New year, and Monday (2nd) and Wednesday (4th) that is the three days you can see many Rolex in the street? Why?
As a traditions, 3rd day is not good to meet friends.

As many Chinese buys Rolex for investment and they might just keep it in the cold dark Safe Deposit box in the bank of the Safe box at home, except these three days, they will take it out and Polished it with a puff of air from his mouth using a piece of cloth to polish away the passivation layer after sleeping in the safe for 300 days. And in the 80s 90s many new married couples used to buy a Pair of Rolex one for he and one for She…. Now they can take it out to show off a bit…

You can count in just one carriage of MTR, you can easily find 12 Rolex Watches in these days!!

Well, Enjoy your Rolex! And you might feel better as it has gain 70% in dollar value over the past ten years! At least it appears a piece of investment and luxury items for many people. Afterward, don't put it back in the safe for another year to come.

HK Snob

Kung Hei Fat Choi to all Watch Fever Watchers in the Year of $nake

$nake year will come tomorrow and I wish that everyone would be the winner in the business deal, got the best result in Exams, Got super bonus from the company,

to get Promotions to be the boss of your boss and taste the power to be a real boss!

Got a Super Rolex Watch deal in the year.

Attached the “Kung Hei Fat Choi” was written on board aircraft coming Back Hong Kong lately, that is not too nice but the meaning is there…
To all Watch Fever Supporters, Watch Leovers, Rolex Lovers, and ones who are friends turnout from from Blog visitors before.

HK Snob

An Australian Friend bought a Rolex Ref. 116619LB yesterday

This is one of my favourite Watches, you can not find this in the pre-owned market! Why, first of all this is not a preferred model for the Supertitious Chinese Hong Kongers, second, this is an expensive Watch that no normal worker like I can afford to buy!
Only limited Rich people or Watch Lovers would like to consider. 
This is not a common article you can find in the pre-owned Watch Market in HK. So far I have not seen one and my friend Andy saw once only.
Peter, friend of mine came to HK to buy this beautiful Rolex Dream Watch.... He paid in Cash, I belived the sales man had to count 15 minutes for that huge amount, it is about 4 times the price of Ref 116610LN!
and I hope Peter could find this watch a piece of gem and I believe the sharks underseas will salute to you and dare not bite you, because they dare not under-estimate you! The Rich Power!
HK Snob

Good Old Days Watch Shop

When you pass by World Trade Centre for Shopping, don't miss this "Good Old Days" as I have seen they have hundreds of Vintage Rolex, Like 40's 50's Orchid, Cellini, and at least 4 King Midas Cellini with price HKD$33,000 to HKD$38,000 if my memories are still right! Besides Rolex, there are many other first

class watches too like PP, VC, JLC, Cartier, Piaget, etc.

They have many types of Dress watch from Rolex, but not even a Rolex Sport watch! It is worth you spending time to vsiit there.It is in 4th Floor of World Trade Centre.

Refer to attached name card for detail address, it could easily take away your time 1 hour iafter an Hi tea at Causeway Bay!
HK Snob



More on Ref 18039 Oak Dial of Rolex Day Date

Again, Someone showed me his collection, a Rolex Day Date 18039 in White Gold Case and Oak Dial.


HK Snob

A Snobblish Rolex Man

This is a snobbish RolexMan who wears a Rolex Day Date II, that is a big watch of 42mm carrying a price tag of HKD$260,000 and the cash on the desk is estimated to be enough to buy another watch he is wearing.

The Rolex is really looking a bit big on his wrist.

I think it will be more suitable to adjust the watch strap tighter little bit and I know that it is not comfortable if the strap is too short. I think a proper adjusted length of the strap should be having room to insert the index finger into the strap.

He is definite a Snobblish Snob! I admire the stack of Cash on top of the table in a Cha Chann Tang! What a powerful man!!

Sometimes, it might be wise to spend for the things you like and dream to own!. No matter why people would like to spend USD$2,000 to USD$420,000 for a Super Bowl ticket on Last Sunday!

HK's Snobblish Snob

Rolex Date Just Ref 16018 Solid Gold

An Rare Boiler Gauge Dial（火車路軌面）Rolex Ref.16018 18K Solid Gold case. Circa 1986. estimated. Rare and very new, the dial is the key feature of this gold Date just.
Estimated price of HKD$46,000!

HK Snob

Rolex OysterQuartz Ref 19019 White Gold with OysterQuartz Computer Dial

This is my dream Rolex OysterQuartz White Gold With Dark grey Computer Dial, it is so rare and prone to super collectible item for Rolex Collectors.

The total Production of OysterQuartz is 25,000 in the entire OysterQuartz production period between 1977 to 2003, amongst those 25,000 units, 80% is DateJust series, and 15% is Day Date (3,750 pieces) , and There is less then 15% of the Day Date is White Gold (563 pieces)... As in the 80’s White gold is not the preferred material for a GOLD Rolex.

This is of course my estimation, no one knows about the exact data except some of the senior executives of Rolex Headquarters in Switzerland.

This is one of them, and more important is that we have identified the Grey Black Dial with Chinese Date Day display.

This is not my watch of course, and this belongs Rolex Collector Paul who has been waiting 8 months for Rolex HK to change the Chinese Dial!

I believe this is the most Accurate Rolex Watch with the best feature and ingredients for a HK or Chinese Rolex Collectors… and this watch is likely the 2nd Rare item for Day Date except the stainless steel Rolex Day Date. There has been saying that there are not more than known 7 pieces of Stainless steel Day Date in the world!
Do you want to get this Beautiful Sample of Rolex OysterQuartz!?

HK Snob
Watch Sold on 31 March 2013

Chinese's Superstition on Rolex Colour

My Work Horse Rolex Day Date White gold

Greg's new Purchased Explorer II in HK on 25 Jan 2013

When we used to buy gold Rolex since the 60’s, the most popular dial colour is Gold Champagne dial as it stands for “噤撈", that carries a meaning of "Continuous Success!"
 This Chinese tradition keeps unchanged till now.

The most unpopular model is likely White Gold with Blue dial, as that means “難撈", in Chinese, it means "Very difficult to make a living!"

Rolex with White Dial isn’t so good too as it means “白撈”!, That is “Nothing” in Chinese.

Rolex with Black dial isn’t good too, that is “黑撈”, "Black dirt?"

So in short, these are not the preferred colour dials:

1. Blue

2. Black

3. White

The Preferred colour on dial is:

1. Gold

2. Red

3. Purple

4. Brownish Red (It was very popular in 80s)

So what is the best Colour dial of Rolex for Chinese?

1. Yellow Gold case and strap

2. Yellow Gold Champagne Dial

3. Diamond Dial

4. Diamond Bezel

Recently, we see that HK and Chinese people seem started to accept Black dial.

As For myself I still like most the White Gold Submariner in Blue Dial and I used to wear a Rolex Day Date in white gold with Diamond dial and Diamond bezel. I find that it makes me happy and work along with people smoothly.  I like what I like and superstition is not my concern for Rolex.


Ps The Rolex Day Date as my daily working Watch
The Explorer II White dial Ref 216570 Greg purchased yesterday in HK in one of the HK major Rolex AD.

Hi Greg,
I went to meet the manager who sold you the Explorer II, he told me that you speak fluent Mandarin!! Where did you learn?
I hope the Rolex will be your long trusting working partner!

HK Snob

Is Hong Kong still the best place to Buy Rolex?

Singapore
The Rolex has the same list price after currency conversion.
Take for an example a Rolex Explorer Ref 216570 is selling SGD$10,500, that include Singapore GST 7%, though you can claim back if you return to Singapore.

That still makes the retail price SGD$9,925, which is with the current exchange rate 1 SGD=6.3 HKD, it is HKD$62,700.

Whereas in HK, the same watch is selling at list price HKD$60,500, subject to a walk-in discount of 5%. That is net HKD$57,475, in case you get a VIP discount of 8%, that will be HKD$55,660. that make the same watch cheaper by HKD$7,050 provided you can get back the GST 7%.

Manila
I went to Fort Rolex AD at Fort yesterday and I found out that the Price of GMT Master II ref 116710LN is Peso 398,000 with standard walk-in discount of 10%, that will be Peso 350,100 after Peso-HKD conversion, it is HKD$67,326. There is no way the manager could give me more anything than 10% dicsount.

Whereas I can get a GMT Master II with List price HKD$61,200, walk-in discount of less 5%, that is HKD$55,080, in case of VIP discount, someone can get less 8%, that is HKD$56,304.

The Saving of HKD$11,022; that is a big chunk of saving if you buy it in HK!

Also I have corrected my earlier saying that Philippino like Daytona White dial more, in fact after my survey, Philipino likes Black dial more than white for Daytona ref 116520 and Stainless steel Daytona is quite hard to be found in Manila.

In the shops I visited, I can see the variety of Rolex is much lesser than in those shops I used to go in HK.

In the Rolex AD I visited yesterday I can not find one Submariner Black dial ref 116610LN. I could not get a Milgauss Green Glass ref 116400GV, I can not get a Stainless steel Daytona neither black or white, and the Choice is far too limited for watch collectors.

However according to shop manager, she had just sold one Yacht Master ref 16622 With blue dial, and still I could see on 2012 latest version of Yacht Master White dial.

China
The Rolex AD has not so many model for you to pick, the most common one is Date Just Two Tone as Chinese like this model most, the price is easily 20-25% higher than you get it in HK after RMB>HKD conversion.

Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia
I think the Rolex is more or less 15% higher than in HK especially in Indonesia, Thailand.
Malaysia is pretty close to the price of HK, still it is 10% higher!

Australia and USA
From Friends of my blogs who comes to HK to buy Rolex, they can buy two Rolex at one time as they said Rolex in Australia is very expensive. And mush lesser choice for them to choose.

Friends from States coming to HK as Amy was the best example, she but 5 Rolex watches in 2 days, three Milguass and two Rolex Oyster plain bezel with diamond bezel.
So if you have time, and if you are not urgent, try to wait for your next trip coming HK for Rolex Shopping. Before that, you can do some survey for the exact model and price in your country and I think I can help to provide you the latest price in HK and availability. So that you can feel that what I am trying to say is Right.

As I say shopping is not just you submit your VISA card to the shop keeper and get your stuff, though someone said the moment sweeping the credit card is the greatest moment of happiness amongst the all process of the purchase.
The greatest fun is the process of searching the best deal with your budget for the best watch you like!

HK Snob

Milus Instant Date Snow Star Red Gold Watch

In WWII the US Navy put "life barter kit" in navy planes for those served duty during campaigns in the Pacific. The kit was to used as an offer a few valuables pilots could trade or sell if their plane shot down when they needed help, food, information, or transportation.

The life barter kit was different with a survival kit, There it contained two gold rings, a gold pendant and chain, as well as a Swiss Milus Snow Star – Surprisingly Milus didn't know about that until a few years ago. US Navy decided a Milus watch was good enough to be exchanged for a human's life was darn excellent news.

The Milus Snow Star watch and the life barter kit were made in 2011 as a retro version.

One in 18k Red gold which we are talking about it here and the other in steel. Each watch comes with a little kit of a pair of cufflinks, and a nylon NATO strap.

The watch is 40mm wide, a sapphire crystal and a water resistance of 30 meters.

The gold one has the more interesting movement being a NOS (new old stock) Swiss ETA 2408 manually wound movement with a power reserve of 36 hours.

Milus sourced the older movements and totally restored them for use in these watches. The couldn't get that many so only the red gold models which are limited to 99 pieces. Both models indicator "instant date," which means the date changes instantly at midnight.

My personal Comment, this is a real classic like Hamilton Intramatic, I am checking how many still we can buy in the HK Market.  I like the Gold one.  Are you interested In?

I used to have a few Milus watch when I was young, my mother used to wear a miniature Milus watch manual Winding. It was about HKD$200 I the 70’s it is not cheap at all at that time. She worn it until one day someone bought her a Rolex Orchid.

Milus makes me thinking my time in the 70’s and It is a classic., and I like Solid gold watch

PS

It is Funny to see the tiny knight had a Logo of Milus as his head, let me search for what reason this character was created?! If I am not wrong, I have seen it before.

HK Snob

Tips to buy an used Rolex as an Investment

Tips for what should I go for Rolex as an investment!?

Many people is asking what should he goes for a Rolex as an investment.

I my mind as a Rolex collector, No Rolex should be purchased with a perceived notion of investment....Rolex should be worn and enjoyed, don't keep your Rolex in the safe. As I guess you do not gain much by keeping a Rolex in a Safe, if that is the real case, most of the Rolex AD shop manager should keep the Rolex for themselves.

 

As we should never purchase a luxury item for a dollar return. Only to enjoy it by using it!

 

If we say trying to get as much as we can from a Rolex Watch, we should not buy Brand new Rolex as if buying with the sole reason not to loose money on a future resale then buy second hand as most of the depreciation would already have been taken.
Say for an example, you buy a new Submariner after using for 2 years, you might sell to the pre-owned watch shop at a price of 60% of the original price as Watch Dealer and shop need min. 20% for their profit margin.

Example, a Submarine Ref 116610LN is selling at HKD$62,100 now.

If walk-in gets less 5% is HKD$58,995, that is your cost,

In case you can get 10%, (some people does) that will be you future profit margin as your cost is just HKD$55,890

After using two years, the new price in 2015 will be likely HKD$62,100 x 1.05x1.05= HKD$68,465 assuming Rolex increase 5% price a year.

 

So if you bought this new watch this year at your cost HKD$55,890 if you sell it in 2015 then you may get back HKD$68,465 x 0.6= $41,079

So you expense for this Rolex is just HKD$55,890 -41,079=HKD$14811 for using 2 years.

 

Then the shop sells it at 41,079 x1.2 = HKD$49,294, with profit 20% and that is a price less 24% lower than new watch. $49294/$68465x0.95 x100%= 24% cheaper for buying your used watch than a new watch in Rolex AD. That is min 20% make it attractive for the used watch buyer!

This is the deal of the buying and selling of Rolex. This is applying to those mass production watches. Those Vintage and collective watch is another cases. Remember almost all Rolex watches will hold their value in the long haul, but will loose out in the short term.

Anyway, wear your Rolex everyday, that is the best practice to gain your VALUE from Rolex.

More tips:

• Buy only from reliable shops with decades of good record.
• Trust not web site if that watch is a vintage or collectible item, go for auction.
• Buy those comes with Warranty card if possible, usually it is more expensive by 2-3%.
• Provided you know how to tell if that is the right stuff.
• Try to get discount say 5%, sometimes it works. And I always do.
• Ask for the liability of the watch.
• Bring a Man of Watch expert to go with you for an ocular check.
• Do not say you are coming from Foreign country, always say you are local as you can come back any time if there is an issue!

HK Snob

Skagen

Skagen watches are most known for their unique designs and an ultra thin Slimline series would make watch like part of the skin like Design of Skin of Swatch. The watch is made with high quality material, accurate and durable, the mesh band is comfortable to wear and flexible to fit on your wrist.


Henril and Charlotte Jorst came to US from Denmark to run their own business, they created something unique, beautiful and yet to be affordable price. Soon after they started to make watches from a small apartment and selling them door to door. When they least expected it their lucky break came and Bloomingdales started to offer their wrist watches in the chain of their department stores. That was 1989.

We can get these watches on board in major Asian airlines.

HK Snob

Rolex Yacht Master Ref 116622 Blue Dial

There have been a lot of positive comment on this Ref 116622 Yacht master Blue Dial Sunray.


Someone names this to be the most beautiful Rolex in 2012 after Beselworld 2012, it has been on sales in certain countries Starting November, yet to be in HK up to now.

This is a 40mm Stainless steel with PT900 Platinum Bezel, Beautifully laser cut and hand polished!

Rolex had an “entirely rethought” bezel and this is the major improvement (in addition to the bracelet) in that it does 120 clicks in both directions which should be smoother/crisper than before. As for the bracelet, this Yacht-Master has a solid link bracelet with the spring-loaded Oysterlock clasp.

In My opinion, it is much sexist than the Sand-blasted Platinum dial, But this Blue Dial may not be Platinum, might be white gold base!?

I am sure this is one of the hottest Models from Rolex in 2013, Take note and We should keep some money for this. Well, some Chinese does not like Blue Colour Rolex for it interprets “ Difficult ‘ in Cantonese pronounciation of “Blue”!

Well, I do not mind as the colour is un-resistibly Smart!

Outsdie HK is selling at USD$12,875 ( HKD$100,038)

HK List price is Just HKD$89,800 with additional 5% discount. that is much cheaper than you buy elsewhere!

HK Snob

The Most Exotic Rolex Date Just for You and Her.

Rolex has been focusing on many decades on watch accuracy, durability, function, mechanical perfection, I was thinking Rolex has been practicing with quite conservative approach in the basic design, and that Rolex has a clear product strategy: aware that a good watch has to be accurate, no matter quartz and mechanical as they have presented, and durable lasting watch for decades.

After so many years of success, in view of more people looking for non-classic Rolex types of design. There have been more daring design released from Rolex Recently.

This is one of them, released in 2009 Falls, a Rolex with exquisite material …Silicone Rubber for the strap, embedded with nude diamonds on strap. And the whole watch id decorated in diamond on a wavy form of pattern, barely visible the name of Rolex and the Crown.

That is a case of 18kt White Gold. , the bezel is surrounded with black diamond on a square cut form. You have probably advised to wear a sunglass of you see this watch under the sun!

I have no question on this watch which I rate it as the most sexiest Date Just for lady!

Well, price wise is HKD$652,700.00 with less 5% discount at Rolex AD. Pricewise is considered Cheap as Rolex has loaded “Tons” of Sugar Cubes on it…

Check with your local Rolex AD and make this for the next Gift for your beloved one for the Saint Valentines day! At least you will be ensured you have a Sweet 2013 whole year through!

Ref 116199 SANR.L.

HK Snob

A Friend of mine came HK to Purchase his first Rolex Date Just II

This is a Brand new Rolex Ref 116334, date Just II, 41 mm Watch, bought by a Friend Ali who came here last week to make a first purchase of Rolex. The Country cold is "888" and he went home in Sweden already.
This is a Stainless steel Rolex with a 18KT White gold Fluted Bezel. Black Dial Standard list price is HKD$67,000 at Rolex AD, HK.

Christian Bale has starred in movie Empire Of The Sun when has was about 11 years old. and the Machinist, probably he was famous for his good righteous Role Playing Batman, I like that movie as he was like a real human. Christian Bale worn a Rolex Date just Two Tone in American Psycho.
HK Snob