Rolex Ref 18238 Day Date with Aventurine Dial

                           The White dot apperaing on the dial was just reflection from my Handphone

                        Ref 18238 Day Date with Aventurine dial and Tiffany Sixteenth 14KT solid gold Ball Pen

Green Aventurine

Blue Aventurine

Aventurine (砂金石) is a form of quartz, characterized by its translucency and the presence of platy mineral inclusions that give a shimmering or glistening effect termed aventurescence.

The most common colour of aventurine is green, but it may also available in Blue, Yellow, Orange, Brown,  or Grey. Chrome-bearing fuchsite (a variety of muscovite mica) is the classic inclusion, and gives a silvery green or blue sheen. Oranges and browns are attributed to hematite or goethite. Aventurine is a rock, its physical properties vary: its specific gravity may lie between 2.64-2.69 and its hardness is somewhat lower than single-crystal quartz at around 6.5.

Blue Aventurine can help with addictions, large and small, by allowing spiritual energies to come into the Third-Eye and Throat Chakras, to be processed by the subconscious mind. This action enables one to understand that the addiction is a symptom of a deeper problem, and that it is an attempt to fill a void better soothed by spiritual development.

Blue Aventurine can be used to help overcome selfishness, childishness, and passive-aggression. Blue Aventurine is helpful to those who find themselves stuck in an immature state of development, by clearing old, stagnant energies, and opening one up to inner growth and spiritual work.

Rolex is No longer making this kind of watch with Aventurine Dial especially Blue, this watch has a long and winding history, as owner sent this watch to RSC for regular service, they found a very very tiny hairy crack line on the dial. He Requested Rolex to replace and there it took three months to change with $13,800 but the RSC staff said that there is some “issue” that we believed the watch smith had an accident that he broke the dial again. This is the last Dial RSC HK has after another one month!

In short, the use of Aventurine is rare for Rolex and this is likely the last watch that HK RSC can offer a replacement of such a dial, this is a very rare watch and the dial is very beautiful of course!

The Watch comes with Full wooden box, Warranty paper, operation manual and other accessories.

Are you interested to buy something like this!?

HK Snob

How Much does Rolex spend for Advertisement and Promotion?

More successful firms spend more resources on propaganda, advertisement and Promotion for more sales.  For magazine TIME or NEWSWEEK, you can see there is always the most expensive advertisement space goes to Rolex.

Rolex have largest advertising budget of any watch brand, thus everyone hear of Rolex, not know some better brands, since they not advertise much. Here are some figures of 2007 USA advertising budgets of some watch brands. Amount shown here is in US dollar.

1. Rolex - $47,100,000

2. Breitling - $27,070,000

3. TAG Heuer - $24,730,000

4. Citizen - $19,850,000

5. Movado - $15,870,000

6. Cartier - $15,040,000

7. Seiko - $11,020,000

By now 2013, I don't know the exact data, I think Rolex spends $80,000,000  a year for advertisement.

Rolex is connected with Yacht, Golf, Tennis tournament, Motor racing. The famous one is the 24 Hours of Daytona, currently known as the “Rolex 24 At Daytona” for sponsorship reasons, is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is the first major automobile race of the year in the United States.

The race has had several names over the years. Since 1991, the Rolex Watch Co. is the title sponsor of the race under a naming rights arrangement, replacing Sunbank (now SunTrust) which in turn replaced Pepsi in 1984. Winning drivers of all classes receive a stainless steel Rolex Daytona watch.

HK Snob

What is the price level of Rolex Iconic Submariner, on the lower or higher side comparing with other similar Hi End Watches?

Friends of mine told me Rolex is the costliest watch brand and knowing that many people seem to agree with that.

Base one a price information between the most popular Sport model  Submariner and some of the market available iconic sport model of the luxury Brands.

We could see that the price of Rolex is not the highest. It is on the lower side of them.

Panerai Luminor Marina Automatic PAM 000104 $55,000

IWC-ingenieur-mens-watch-3234-03- $56,000

Rolex Submariner Ref 116610LN $57,630

Glashutte Original "Sport Evolution M" $74,000

Frank Muller 9880 SC CRO Black PVD steel Watch $76,000

Breguet Marine II Big Date Strapwatch $78,000

Ulysse Nardin "San Marco" $48,000

Vacheron Constantin Overseas stainless steel Black dial Automatic 47040/b01a-9094 $92,000

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding 15400ST.OO.1220ST.01 41mm Stainless steel Automatic $110,000

Blancpain’s big introduction at Baselworld this year Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe. It is presented in a 43 mm x 13.4 mm case and comes in brushed satin steel for $85,000 or ceramized titanium for $96,000

Patek Philippe "Nautilus Stainless steel $195,000

In Short, Rolex is not Highest price Watch amongst these Swiss Watches; it is one of the lower side.

Note that the above price is rough estimated only as every dealer has some price variation.

So, which one you would choose!?

Price shown here are all in HK dollars.

HK Snob

Sixty and Going Strong, You are Ready!

 

“There are 1000-year old trees in the mountain, but not many 100 year-old people”

At the most, you live until 100 years old (only 1 in 100,000).

If you live until 90, you only have 30 years.

If you live until 80, you only have 20 years.

Because you don’t have many years to live, and you can’t bring along things when you go, you don’t have to be too thrifty.

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate, but don’t leave all to your children or grandchildren, for you don’t want them to become “parasites”.

Don’t worry about what will happen after you are gone, because when you return to dust, you will feel nothing about praises or criticisms.

Don’t worry too much about your children for “children will have their own destiny and find their own way. Don’t be your children’s slave”

Don’t expect too much from your children. Caring children, though caring, would be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render any help. No need to Learn Lee Kar Shing who is working for their sons.

Uncaring children may fight over your assets even when you are still alive, and wish for your early demise so they can inherit your properties.

Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your wealth; but you have no claims to their money.

60-year olds like you, don’t trade in your health for wealth anymore;

Because your money may not be able to buy your health.

When to stop making money, and how much is enough (hundred thousands, million, ten million)? “Out of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can only consume three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand of mansions, you only need eight square meters of space to rest at night”.

So as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough.

So you should live happily. Every family has its own problems. Just do not compare with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better, etc. but challenge others for happiness, health and longevity. 

Don’t worry about things that you can’t change because it doesn’t help and it may spoil your health.

You have to create your own well-being and find your own happiness; As long as you are in good mood, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.  

One day passes, you will lose one day;

One day passes with happiness, and then you gain one day.

In good spirit, sickness will cure; in good spirit, sickness will cure fast; in good spirit; sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years healthy life.

Going 60, but still Strong!

The Motto of the Story is: When We can have time, money and energy, try to help people, share the joy with your loved ones. And when there is surplus, treat yourself a bit better by a Bottle of Petrvs 1989; Mouton 1945 or Latour 1959.
Take out your vintage Collections of Telefunken EC803S, WE300B, or Gold Lion KT77 to replace those Chinese or Russian made cheapo on your amplifier. Buy a Killer Rolex that is not just telling time, but the History!

You Are Ready!

HK Snob

PS the above story was a translation from a Chinese Article, forwarded from a friend from Singapore

Hi Zenrai Gunnm,
His is the Chinese original Article

六十而不惑.. 

山中也有千年樹，世上難逢百歲人。” 最大限度，你也只活到百多歲（十萬人中才有一個）。 能活到九十歲，只有三十年； 能活到八十歲，只有二十年。 因為剩下的日子不多，你臨走時什麼都帶不走，你不必太節省。  該花的錢要花，該享受的要享受，該捐助的要捐助；惟獨不能留這筆錢給兒孫，把他（她）變 成 “寄生蟲”! 。  不必對死後的事考慮太多，因為變成灰的你，對表揚與批評已無感覺。 不必對兒女的事考慮太多，“兒孫自有兒孫福，休為兒孫做馬牛”。 不要對兒女幻想太多，孝順的兒女有孝心，但工作太忙，幫不了你！ 不孝的兒女也許（在你活著時就搶奪）盼著你早死，好早日繼承你的財產。   你的錢財，兒女認為給他們是天經地義； 兒女的錢，卻不是你的錢，你想要卻十分困難。   六十歲的你，再也不要用健康去換取身外之物， 因為此時，你用金錢已未必能買到健康。   錢掙到何時、何數（十萬，百萬，千萬……）才算夠？“良田萬頃，日食三升 ；大廈千間，夜眠八尺”，夠吃夠用就行了。  你要愉快地活著，雖然家家都有一本難念的經，你不要再和別人比名利地位、兒孫如何有出息……等等，而要比誰活得更愉快、健康、長壽！  你無力改變的事，就不必太操心，因為操心也無用，反而影響了自己的健康。  幸福靠自己努力創造，快樂要千方百計去尋找， 只要心境好，每天想愉快的事，做愉快的事，自己找樂趣，就能天天都過得高興。   過一天，少一天； 過一天，樂一天；樂一天，賺一天。   精神好，病能好；精神好，病早好；精神好，病不倒。 心情愉快，適當運動，常見陽光，食物多樣化， 保證多種維生素和微量元素的合理（適度而不超量）吸收，盼能健康地再活二、三十年。

Rolex Day Date Lapis Blue for those who admires True Value of Watch Immortality

                                  A Sphere of Lapis Lazuli of 70mm wit Price of US$1,700

                            Dalai Lama Wearing a Rolex Day Date Yellow Gold with Lapis Lazuli Dial
     Ref to jakes Rolex Blog for more  http://rolexblog.blogspot.hk/2012/04/dalai-lama-rolex-keeping-time-of-his.html

                A Rolex Day Date With Lapis Lazuli Dial, a Belgium Collector who Bought it March

2013

                                                           



Colour Blue and the Personality

Color blue as your favourite colour you are conservative, reliable and trustworthy. You are

genuine and sincere, and you take your responsibilities seriously.

Having a personality color blue means you have a deep need for peace and harmony in your everyday life.

Azula means Blue

The euphonious name is composed from 'lapis', the Latin word for stone, and 'azula', which comes from the Arabic and means blue.

Lapis lazuli is an opaque rock that mainly consists of diopside and lazurite. It came into being millions of years ago during the metamorphosis of lime to marble. Lapis lazuli might have come straight out of deep blue night with golden inclusions of pyrites which shimmer like little stars.

It has fascinated both men and women for thousands of years with its fabulous colour and those cloudy golden points of light.

Uncut lapis lazuli is matt and of a deep, dark blue colour, often with golden inclusions and whitish marble veins. Their cause is iron. The blue colour comes from the sulphur content of the lazurite and may range from pure ultramarine to a lighter blue., this stone is among the less hard gemstones at between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale.

Afghanistan has the best reserve of Lapis Lazuli

The best raw stones still come from the steep Hindu Kush in the north-east of Afghanistan back in 5,000 years ago. The lumps of blue rock, extracted from the inhospitable mountains by blasting, are brought down into the valley in the summer months by mules. Nature also created deposits in Russia, to the west of Lake Baikal, and in the Chilean Andes, where the blue rock often has white or grey lime running through it.

Holy Stone, First Gemstone for jewelry

Lapis Lazuli was among the first gemstones to be worn as jewelry. The deep blue stone was already popular thousands of years ago among the people of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome. It is said that the legendary city of Ur on the Euphrates plied a keen lapis lazuli trade as long ago as the fourth millennium B.C., the material coming to the land of the two great rivers from the famous deposits in Afghanistan. In other cultures, it was regarded as a holy stone. Particularly in the Middle East, it was thought to have magical powers. Countless signet rings, scarabs and figures were wrought from the blue stone which Alexander the Great brought to Europe. There, the colour was referred to 'ultramarine', which means something like 'from beyond the sea'.

This beautiful gem represents both mystics and royal families. Why would lapis lazuli be the choice for those who have external power, as well as those who focus on its internal counterpart?

Value

The worth of this stone to the world of art is immeasurable, for the ultramarine of the Old Masters is nothing other than genuine lapis lazuli. Ground up into a powder and stirred up together with binding-agents, the marble-like gemstone can be used to manufacture radiant blue watercolours, tempera or oil-paints. Before the year 1834, when it became possible to produce this colour synthetically, the only ultramarine available was that valuable substance made from genuine lapis lazuli that shines out at us from many works of art today. Ultramarine blue was not only precious and so intense that its radiance outshone all other colour; it was also very expensive. But unlike all other blue pigments, which tend to pale in the light, it has lost none of its radiance to this very day. Nowadays, the blue pigment obtained from lapis lazuli is mainly used in restoration work and by collectors of historical paints.

That is why the prices of jewelry with lapis lazuli vary very widely. The prices of this gemstone are largely dependent on the beauty and intensity of the colour. The most popular is an intense, deep blue. Finely and evenly distributed crystals of pyrites which shimmer in gold and look like sequins will increase the value, whilst a restless, rough or blotchy grain will reduce it.  A sphere of Lapis Lazuli with diameter of 75mm is selling about US$1,700. Of course value changes on different colour, density, the fine distribution of the Gold Dust.

Stone of Friendship and Truth

Lapis lazuli is regarded by many people as the stone of friendship and truth. The blue stone is said to encourage harmony in relationships and help its wearer to be authentic and give his or her opinion openly.

Energy of Cosmic Wisdom

Among the many properties ascribed to lapis lazuli is the energy of deep calm and a strong connection to cosmic wisdom. A connection that helps one aligns with a universal quality of truth and integrity. The deep cobalt blue of lapis lazuli has a royal presence, powerful and mysterious.

Lapis lazuli is not a stone one usually likes right away - its deep, mysterious energies can be veiled for a long time until one's mind is ready to be still, be open and have the courage to discover the mysteries of the universe in silence.

Because of its connection to cosmic and heaven energies, lapis lazuli is also believed to provide protection and shield the wearer from negative influences.

The Lapis Lazuli zodiac, myth and legend

The blue stone is reputed to promote harmony in relationship, lapis lazuli is considered a stone of truth and friendship.

In Middle Ages, people believed that the cosmos was reflected in gemstones. Lapis lazuli is assigned to the planet Jupiter. The esoteric movement revived the ancient belief and the gem industry made it another marketing tool to promote certain gems.

The healing powers of gems remain a controversial issue, but are mentioned for centuries by healers, shamans and medicine men. Whether it’s a fact or a placebo effect doesn’t matter, if it helps. The safest approach is to wear the gemstone in skin contact to the troubled part of the body. Lapis lazuli is said to be of help for headaches, sore throat and varicose veins.

Rolex and Lapis Lazuli

We can see many people, scholars, professors, leaders is fond of Colour of blue.

Many people refer Blue is the Colour of Monarch, Royalty, See How Many national Flag come with Blue?

As for the French National Flag consists of three bands of Blue, White and Red colour, the blue indicates Vigilance, Truth and Loyalty, Perseverance and Justice. So as for US National Flag: Blue is the color of the Chief, and signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

Blue has been my best loved colour since I was young, I still remember when I was in Primary school, I used to wear the thick Blue Blazer. I  brought me warmth and comfort. Blue is my first choice for clothes and trousers, and it might be bore to someone. I like it as I have loyalty to my colour.

Is that Lapis Lazuli Dial my preferred Choice?

Rolex Watch with Blue dial is always the first choice of Hong Kong Snob, I don't care what people say about the meaning in Cantonese “Lan Lo!” and Someone says the worst combination is White Gold with blue Dial. But I am not that superstitious!, White Gold Indicate Purity, and Blue represents Vigilance, Power and Bravey!

For Submariner, I like Blue Dial blue Bezel

For Day Date, I like Blue dial, best is Lapis Lazuli dial, Diamond or no diamond does not show significant influence. Without diamond would be better as there is more space to display the beautiful Arabian Night with those little golden shimmer. A cloud of illusion made up of my personal thought of loss and mystery in life. The essence of harmony and seems I can hear the last section of Beethoven’s Symphony No., 9. “Ode to Joy”!

Today, when you can spot a Good Condition Rolex Day Date Ref 1803, 1804, 18038, 18049, 18238… or even Date Just…with Lapis Lazuli dial, go and buy it as it state the true value of What Beautiful watch should behave, and perhaps you will feel regret if not today. A True Rolex Collector should not ignore these watches.

Rolex Blue dial, Ice Blue dial, Lapis Lazuli dial…

““Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”

― Dalai Lama XIV

Attached picture shows Dalai Lama who was wearing a Rolex Day Date with Lapis Lazuli Dial.

Ps

A Brand new Rolex Datejust NOS two tone 36 mm is still available in Rolex AD with $77,000!! Cheap!

A superb condition Rolex Day Date Ref 1803 Yellow Gold 36mm with Lapis Lazuli dial with diamond dial will require you to pay for $150,000, White Gold will be even more expensive.

A pre-owned Rolex Day Date Yellow Gold Ref 18238 With Lapis Lazuli Dial without diamond valued between $150,000 to 250,000.

A pre-own Rolex Day Date Platinum with Lapis Lazuli Dial with Diamond bezel and Dial can have a stunning price of $600,000, But I cannot find it on Rolex Catalogue.

I am a looking for a Rolex Day Date Ref 1803 Yellow Gold version, Lapis Lazuli dial with a Lot of gold dust!

As you know always I am a Sham Shui Po* Snob when I am asked to pay, Only I am a HK Snob When I dream to buy my Rolex!
Sham Shui Po is a district of low income in general in the mid of the Kowloon city, but people are usually more friendly than any places of Hong Kong.

HK Snob

Rolex GMT MASTER II Ref 116710 BLNR New Patented Black and Blue bezel has arrived Hong Kong

Rolex GMT Master II new Patented Black and Blue Bezel Ref 116710 BLNR has arrived Hong Kong

In June 2013, Hong Kong Rolex AD has launched the Rolex Latest GMT MASTER II Black and Blue bezel.

Rolex has gone an built a mono-block cerachrom bezel by a patented process that actually has the bezel start off as completely blue, and while still porous, add the black colouring.  So, this isn't two pieces of ceramic next to each other, it's a singular piece, and Rolex is the ONLY brand in the world to produce something like this.  It's so difficult to do that it's actually patented. 

You see Cerachom (Rolex's own version of ceramic) was introduced on the GMT first in 2005.  And for years, we were told that making a two-tone ceramic anything was impossible.  But now… you can spend HKD$65,300* to buy this watch in Rolex AD.

Personally, I think this is the so far most beautiful Rolex GMT Master ever made, as probably I am a fan of Blue. Everything comes with Blue will be added will additional 30% marks out of full score 100.

You can see that this Rolex blue merges with Black, it does carries some image of the high price tag Submariner white gold Ref 116619LB  $263,600.  And at same time there is a Blue Point to tell the second time zone.  It is a good companion for those frequent travelers. And for those people who has no reason not to buy the new Rolex new released watch and Of course, me…

At time of this moment I am writing, still there is no news about the Second batch when to reach HK to the major Rolex Authorized Dealer, at least there are 5 people awaiting for this watch to arrive. In Philippines, There is no news when the first batch would come.

HK Snob

You can buy the Expensive Watch

You can have all the colourful Rolexes, you can buy the Expensive Watch from Christie's Auction, but nothing you can do to buy the time.
HK Snob

A watch gains 1 minute a day...

-A watch tends to gain 1 minute everyday consistently, another watch gains 5 seconds a day and lose 10 seconds the other!?  Which one is classified more Accurate?

HK Snob

A Kindness Story; Small thing can make a Big Change

Picture of a Ref 18238 Day Date with Lapis Azuli Dial

A Kindness Story; Small thing can make a Big Change

A One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.

However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. 

She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied "Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness." He said... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.

When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her.

He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.

He looked at it, he wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side as she read these words......"Paid in full with one glass of milk." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, GOD, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

*******************************************************

Small Thing can make big change

One morning when I enter the Hotel for the breakfast… I asked as usually the Green tea, and the Waitress brought me the cup which was supposed to be white but today’s Black,

I was looking at other table and see that they are all White, I asked why? She asked me to turn the cup and see. To my Surprise, My name was printed on the Cup!?

So this tell me I was being treated differently and I think this is the Cafe manager‘s idea?

Anyway, a small thing could bring you some big surprise.   And I think I will stay in this hotel as long as I need to without changing to other….

Same case for Rolex, we as a customer should deserve a better explanation on the their products, however, one could always say that , who care if you are a just customer of having two Rolexes  Collector who has 1,000 that they treat you the same, but I think we should have a Rolex Ambassador who can tell more about their product and who can stand up and represent the brand and company to speak to the end customer, I wonder if there is a way that we can talk to them directly!?

HK Snob

FrankenWatch Rolex Ref 18049?

Recently friend of mind took one Ref 18049 to RVC to service, the person in charge told my friend that Ref 18049 does not carry a Diamond dial, it has only Diamond bezel and not with Diamond Dial!!

And Friend of mine was advised to change with dial without diamond.

However, we can see Christie’s Auction, there is a few auction items come with Ref 18049 that has diamond Dial and Diamond Bezel, Why RVC can say that Ref 18049 does not come with Diamond Dial!

I hereby Request master collector to tell me why?

Of course, we value the saying of Rolex Service centre saying, but how about those people who bought Rolex Ref 18049 with Diamond Dial from Auction? That means Christie’s sells Frankenwatch!? Who is right and Who is Wrong!?

This is the watch that RVC changed a new dial for him...no diamond dial!

HK Snob

Retard your Watch

-You can always retard the hands on your watch, no matter how, yesterday’s time has already gone completely!

HK Snob

Galleria Watch Shop at HKIA, Chak Lap Kok, Hong Kong

There is a Watch Supermarket for watch shopping at HKIA Departure concourse right opposite IWC Boutique

It carries the following Swiss fine watch brands

Glasshutte, Chopard, Frank Muller, Bell & Ross, Tag Heuer, Rado, Gucci, Burberry, Mido, Hamilton, Tissot,
Certina, Baume & Mercier, Montblanc Longines, Breitling Zenith, Bvlgari and Omega. Amongst all I like Glasshute, I had stopped there watching the Promotion video for 30 minutes, it is so much interesting to see how Glasshutte watch is being made. Baume & Mercier and Longines were some of my favourite watch too.

All prices are list price and I think there is no discount, well, if you are interested in watch it I nice to shop and then you can mark down the model ref. You can go to down town Kowloon via Airport Express Halewinner or Oriental Watch Company to get the same watch with less 15%-30% discount.

Of course, if you do not care about the discount, that is a right place for you to shop.

In Hong Kong, the watches are all tax free.

HKIA Snob

Rolex Boutique at Hong Kong International Airport departure hall will soon be opened

Rolex Soon open a New boutique at Hong Kong International Airport

Right at the main passage concourse with floor space about 5,000 square feet. I think that is likely the most expensive Shop in the HKIA.

We soon would be having a new shopping for your most beloved watch at the world busiest airport.

I am looking forward to see the grand opening, maybe there is a big discount for those Marco Polo Platinum Club members!

HKIA Snob

Is Real good Quality able to be found Only in the Big Names!?

Real good Quality is really able to be found Only in the Big Names!?

How About some good feature, quality can be found other than those big Names?

There are a lot of people which are only Fans of the big names, well, once I showed one watch which is a transparent gold watch to a man who has watch collection like A Lang & Sohne, AP and Rolex. He took less than 1/2 second with just a glance on the see-through sapphire of the watch to tell, “Very Rough Polishing! Cannot compare with Patek Philippe!” Of course, he is not a real Watch Collector, as We should looks at the workmanship with suspect, passion to find out more about the watch and the intension of the designer. Many People could easily jump into conclusion so fast without looking clearly the details on the Watch.  Well this tells us that the big name has already built up the image of good workmanship and technology that need no scrutinizing inspection, but it does not mean that the 2^nd or third tier does not have the same Quality.

I had another story, one there is a friend who has been listening to his Hi end Transistorized audio system whereby he said no Vacuum Tubes system could give him the power he wants. He Does not believe vacuum tubes could deliver a good powerful control on the loudspeaker. He probably does not know that all the Hi-frequency radio transmitter is using vacuum tube, One single tubes can deliver

35,000 Watts power. If they use Transistors, probably they need 500 pieces, and each of the transistor should have very similar specification, also they might be mounted on a large heat sink or even ventilation fans are required to cool down the red hot transistor or it would be burt in seconds.

I just discover one of my perpetual Calendar Watch moon phase dial is made of Lapis Lazuli stone and laid on it a pieces highly polished 18K gold as the Moon. If you do not notice it, you probably may not know that this is the intended Quality and Low Profile SHOW-OFF of the watch designer.

So sometimes you have to get a Closer Look (probably under x10 Magnifying glass) into you watch in such a detail on the material in use, the design of the watch and layout of the dial, that is fun of watch collection.

Friend of mine who has a Rolex Day Date Ref 18238 Lapis Lazuli Dial who was found to have a tiny hairy crack under a regular service at RVC. The Rolex Staff told him that there is a Lapis Lazuli Dial available for him to be replaced for HKD$13,500 plus $800 of replacement Fee! After one week, he was called by Rolex saying that “ Sorry the new replaced dial is not too good!” immediately we knew that the technician might had an accident to Crack the new dial during installation. Friend of mine has to wait again for another Lapis Lazuli Dial. This time RVC will ask the Master Watch Smith to do his job!!

This story tells us, not so many Rolex Day Dates were made with Lapis Lazuli dial before, probably 1/1000 of Day Date. In fact not so many made in the recent days, probably 1/10,000. That could be one of the best Rolex Day Date for collector.

If you had one, please treasure it! If I had one, probably I could not sleep!

HK Snob

Trend of Watch Strap

How do you feel the new trend of Watch Band!?

Many people could be feeling that an Expensive Watch should come with an alligator, lizard watch strap, Horse tail strap? Seems that a Cheap watch deserves to match with plastic strap!?

I am seeing that the trend has been changed, some expensive AP comes with a Silicone Rubber strap.

A Cartier uses $200 Satin like polyester material on an $450,000 Crash!

I feel bore with watch strap made of traditional Expensive Watch strap, first of all, WHY a watch strap mush be Black or brown? Can I order some Hermes Like Orange, Purple or silver grey!?

Here it comes, I am planning to change some of the watch strap into the following colour and smooth Cow Hide Leather Strap, so as the eye sight will focus not on the strap but the watch.

The Colour of the strap could echo with the watch colour and give you a new appearance for next 10 months, Why not!?

Custom made Watch strap is a new trend, you can make you own Family surname embodied on the watch like your personal Custom made shirt!? 

HK Snob

Dream of a 60 Year Old Rolex Fan

Day Dream of a 60 years Old Rolex Fan

I would be not happier than these…if I could…

Win a Mark-Six.

Meet some of the pretty women you had dreamed of, making love on first class A380 going Nice…

Your retirement P-fund has been allocated to your bank account.  Then to celebrate with a 1945  Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau Mouton and celebrate with your best friend.

Take a Ten Pounds hammer to slam you note book computer that has been ruling your private life over the past twenty years in your work on you retirement Date.

Found Rolex Day Date Platinum Green Dial.

Got a chance to acquire an excellent condition Black Ferrari 308  or a Yellow Lamborghini Countach.

Your first and second ex-wife gives you a call on your 60^th birthday.

Found your lost best favourite 1936 Dunhill Pink Gold Cuff link one day in the corner of the living room.

Able to start a Jazz Cafe in Central with JBL 4350 Loudspeaker driven by Macintosh MC275 playing my favourite 1960 Records. Of course, set up a corner to sell my Rolex Day Date Ref to those who appreciate Rolex.

How about your dream!?

HK Snob