Rolex Yacht Master II, an Underestimated Watch for your next Purchase!

Rolex Yacht master II Pink gold Two Tone Watch, Your next Purchase Consideration!

I started to love this watch since Beginning of last year as I saw many of my friends wearing it.

Most of them told me that it is worth to purchase as it is 44mm, and it is not as common as standard watch Submariner for most of the MongKokers!

It is beautiful as it is pink gold two tone, looks very eye catching with the Yacht master II engraved on the Ceramic Blue Bezel. And the layout design is not as crowded as we can expect with so many function on it. One Disappointment is there is no “Date” as Daytonas don't..

The Rolex Yacht-Master II was unveiled in 2007 and first introduced in March 2010 with the models 116688 Yellow Gold and 116689 White Gold. One year later, in 2011, Rolex introduced model 116681 which was made from steel and everose gold.

At Baselworld 2013, the watch was available for the first time in 904L steel, model 116680, fitted with a Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic.

Early Yacht-Master II used Rolex's 4160 movement but with the introduction of model 116680 in 2013, the movement was updated to the 4161 movement specifically designed for the Yacht-Master II.

4160 movement is known to have mechanical issue when you try to reset it while the counter is running, later on this bug was fixed on 4161.

4161 Movement

I believe that the final dial layout was a result of many round of vote on different approaches.

It is a chronograph movement with the complication of a programmable timer that counts down ten minutes. The countdown mechanism was primarily designed for regattas where the Starting sequence can last up to 10 minutes. The movement took nearly 4 years to create and is made up from 360 parts. The movement also has a 72-hour power reserve.

If the wearer has started the countdown either too early or too late then the countdown can be synchronized. By pressing the start/stop button, located at the 2 o'clock position, and then pressing the reset button, located at the 4 o'clock position, the minute countdown hand re-positions itself to the nearest minute while the seconds countdown hand returns to 0.

The mechanism makes it possible for the wearer to program in advance of and official countdown time and then start the timer once the countdown has begun and the mechanism can be programmed to count down 0 to 10 minutes. The countdown feature can be locked and unlocked by twisting the bezel through 90 degrees. The Yacht-Master II was one of the first watches in the world to have a bezel that worked in conjunction with the movement.

List price

Ref 116680 stainless steel $145,300

Ref 116681 Rose Gold and Stainless steel $195,000

Ref 116688 Solid 18KT yellow gold $301,900

Ref 116689 Solid 18KT White Gold $339,500

There is not much discount when you go Rolex AD, may be 5% standard, and More you know them well with 1X% using card.

If Parallel Import, we can get less 20 to 24% off in cash.

What Do you prefer!?

HK Snob

New year Watch Sales: Cartier Crash, Explorer II, Date Just...etc

Cash deal or Bank Trasfer, all genuine watches.

HK Snob

HK Watch Fever



PS Date Just, Explorer sold on 3 Jan,

Watch Blog Followers

Hi Friends,

Thanks for your support and if possible send me mail or whatsapp such ttah I can know more about you.

I have been trying sending message but somehow they were not seem to reach you.

Wish you all had a wonderful year 2015

Mail : hksnob@yahoo.com.hk
Whatsapp +639175854633  (preferred)

Let's try to have guts to make Mistakes in 2015!

Written with a 1972 Montblanc Meistertuck 82 Fountain pen.

Many people especially friends criticizing me writing crap nothing related to Watches. Well, I have to say allow me to do it one more time in the new year 2015, OK?

Japanese Fishing Industry

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish.

But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades.

So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.

The further the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh.

To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats.

They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea.

Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer.

However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish and they did not like the taste of frozen fish.

The frozen fish brought a lower price.

So, fishing companies installed fish tanks.

They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin.

After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste.

The fishing industry faced an impending crisis!

But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan.

How did they manage...?

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark.

The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move.

The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!

Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired and dull....? Basically in our lives, sharks are new challenges to keep us active.

If you are steadily conquering challenges, you are happy.

Your challenges keep you energized. Don’t create Success and revel in it in a state of inertia.

You have the resources, skills and abilities to make a difference.

That is also called Stout Effect of management for a tank of Sardines who used to live in Comfort zone.

And out in a stout could make a difference.

It is not a bad approach as I see many US companies that they seem feel bore with the GOOD performance of their staff who has been working hard smartly for them, making new sales records, but that is not enough for now-a-days-greedy-CEOs… yes, their income could be HKD$10,000 a hour, which is hundred times than ours?  

They invite external experienced people from other company, consultants, senior manager to sit on top of your head as your superiors, that is quite discouraging as it is hard or even hopeless for those who-has-a-dream-to-be-promoted- in-2015… now it would not be happened before that chap’s retirement!

But Always I said there is no smart people, there is hard working people, smartness may varies 2X or 3X in magnitude person to person, but hard working make be 10X , or 5X, which I believe working hard can make a difference! Smartness could be coming from your parent’s Genes, but hardworking is on your hands.

Well. Who has learnt from this Japanese Fisher Consultants.

Anyway, I truly believe one manager sent me his message: I quote here…

“Always been thankful for everything in my life whether positive or negative, joy or sorrow, comfort or pain, failure or success, loss or win as I believe these were all given for us to experience the deeper reasons behind and appreciate the learning and always hope for the BEST and COME out to be a better person… just like a GOLD which needs to undergo different processes… to be mined, filtered, melted and fired for it to become a shiny and valuable matter….

Cheers! and here’s someone hoping for a GREAT, BLESSED and HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2015 ahead for all of us!  A better year for company office and hope we can throw all the negatives and learn from mistakes and stand to correct these and prove that we can run this company FAIRLY and SUCCESSFULLY. “

That he mentioned making mistake… well, I learnt from this Great people Neil we have to make mistakes in 2015 and every year forever.

Well , talking about Gold, at least I responded to those who complains me not talking about Watches.

I like gold since the very early days with Watch as gold is … just like a GOLD which needs to undergo different processes to get the natural luster. As always Chinese use gold to describe something good, valuable, important, best, Golden rules, Gold Medal, Golden Samples, Silence is Gold!

Whenever I buy watch, I stick to a rule, Always go for GOLD first, only if the budget is not enough, I even don't want to buy, as Gold is a standard precious for making watches, and it will give you a better return in long run.

Last, I believe Edison made a lot of mistake in his life of experiment, and Who knows the outcomes if you don't do it? Let’s try to make something new in 2015 as it may even be a mistake!

Wish you all good health, good faith in Gold, having guts to make Mistakes!

Try Put a shark in your tank this year and see how far you can really go....

Have a blessed new year,

May 2015 be a better year for all of us...

HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

2015 Wishes

I hereby wish that the best of 2014 will be the worst of 2015 to all of you.

有人問那張畫是什麼意思?

我心想:  如果有好天氣，有廣大寛綠油油的草源，有天真的兒童耍樂聲，有好身材的少婦和我上山吃烧好的小牛仔肉，嘆番支89年的金鐘，

聽一聽哈伯虎喇叭發出暖入心的Henry Mancini Moon River 罁琴獨奏。

而後再始造愛，事後，她在我的膀上小睡訓2小時，梅開二度。。。。。。。浪漫嗎?

這就是新年願望囉!



HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

New Year Wishes

There have been so many unpleasant events happened in this year 2015…some loss order, Malaysian Aircraft lost three times… sad…

There we may have a lot of happiness discovered between family members, lovers, colleagues and business partners. Never the less there is less than 2 days before the closures of the 2014 and new year 2015.

Let’s not forget the most pleasant moment we have had in 2014.

Lest forget the most hatred chap once you felt about him no matter he is your staff, friend, separated girl/boy friend… whoever is not important anymore. One day we may become good friend again.

Let’s cherish the life that god had made for you to surpass 2014 without scratches…

As there are friends who suffers from sickness, Cancer, death, and poverty, and yet you are still able to make some rice for yourself and your family and you are living healthily.

Don't blame the income is not good enough and if you go to this web site and you may surprise to see you are one of the World Top 0.1% richest people on Earth.

https//www.givingwhatwecan.org/get-involved/how-rich-am-i

Comparison is odorous as Mr. Lee Kar Shing does not have your privilege to eat Wanton noodle alone at street store of Sham Shui Po without media surrounding you, you can make an appointment with your girl friend at San Diago Hotel while no one damn cares who you are with…That is Called “Freedom”

Though you may not have that kind of money to buy something that you may need to show off…but at least you are not short of the basic needs… That is a difference between a Pagani Zonda and a Toyota Camry. They all have 4 wheels, 1 engine, air con…. With a difference of Zonda moves with a mileage 12 time worse than Camry and only two seater but it is really eye catching…for what you have paid for 40 times.

 There are likely more than 1 million people poorer than you and what have you done to help them… ?

 You should be glad to have such a nice place Hong Kong that is free from major natural disaster, earthquake, flood, Volcano eruptions…well there are some political turmoil… let those filthy politicians and naive students to take care of it…

Time will tell who is good or bad, but time cannot change the life style you are, as that style drives for your behavior and your behavior drives for action for more output as your personal parget…


I  here wish you to have the best shot of the year for your target Achieved… no matter what…

A Rolex DD Platinum or APRO limited Edition..

A new facelifted Girl friend back from Korea?

A New Position with more responsibility and Likely more income not in proportion.

A Super beauty who you meet at hotel piano bar with an invitation to her Yacht for Sex. 

A healthier body

Your Boss never challenge on your opinion again instead he agrees on our proposal!

A case of 15M Cash drop off on the road at Nathan Road on New year eve?

Whatever… it comes true.


HK Snob

Rolex Watch Market in Russia

 A Classic Vintage Oyster Precision in Torquoise (customized Dial)

A Magnificient Rolex Oyster precision Classic 6694 in Burgendy Dial (Customized Dial)

These are Rolex watch that is avaiable in Moscow, sent by a good friend who is a LED scientist base in Moscow.

Note that they have some of the hottest item we cannot find in Asia such as the Daytona Rainbow!


I have seen these lovely Blue and Burgendy Dial ref 6694, if my limited understanding on Russian it says  95,281 Rubles, base on today's exchange rate 1 USD =58 Rubles, and I assume 1 USD is 7.77 HKD...

That is HKD$12,764 Which is a good price for this colour dial, but it was written "Customized" meaning that the dial colour has been reworked. Then I will stay away from it.

Check it out:

http://www.chasovshik.ru/catalog.php?act=s&kw=Rolex

http://www.carolexclusive.ru/Rolex-Watches/Rolexes-Watches

http://www.toplombard.ru/katalog/rolex/

Moscow Snob
Watch Fever

Will the best Rolex Buy be in Moscow?

Saint Petersburg tourist AD at HKIA



Maybe you could get very good price for your dream "Rolex" in Moscow since the Rubles has dropped by 45% in this year compare to US$.

Russian economic trends

When news reports noted the Japanese Yen depreciated more than 17%, the value of the Russian Ruble had plummeted more than 55%. Sanctions imposed by U.S. and Europe in response to Russia’s decision to send troops to Ukraine and plunging global oil prices, were the main reasons behind the Ruble’s depreciation. For a country highly reliant on imports, this will also lead to rising import costs, leading to Russia’s high luminaire costs.

So if this is the right time to go Shopping at Rolex AD at Moscow and Or, Saint Petersburg!?

Is there anybody there now can give me a update on the Rolex Watch they have, and their prices!??

This may be the coming hot spot after Japan to buy Rolex!

HK Snob

When , What, Why, Who to buy Watches



When, What, Who and Why buy Watch!?

There is a nice chatting with one Singaporean Surean about buying one branded watch in the cities. From what we know there may be a need to clarify some of the concern of what watches we should buy, when we should buy or who we should buy from?

Provided you are having no concern with money, well, you don't have to read this article as only people have limited resources for watch need to spend with caution.

Why we have to buy watches?!?

Simply because you need to buy a watch you like to have for investment, for rewarding yourself for the hard work after you get the bonus, or simply you feel itchy when seeing some of the beautiful watches at the window glass or on someone’ Swinging wrist in front of your eye contact vicinity.

When you should buy the watch?

Of source when the watch is selling at sales, typically for mid-low end one, there is Xmas sales less 30% to 40% for walk-ins, that is pretty good discount that normally we don't have mid-hi end watch, there is no special reason why they will give you special discount, so When?

Yes, when there is an exchange rate drops, such as 1997 When I was in Thailand that baht dropped 100% , I bought a Rolex lady DateJust, an AP, a Cartier at good price in one shot.

Now if you go to Japan, you should be still able to enjoy as Yen has dropped to hell low as with US  Dollar has been pegged with HK Dollars since 1985.,

And You should act fast as most of the people buys the hot GMT master II Black Blue, Daytona Black or White, Submariner Hulk or Black, after a few months, I believe there will be harder to find these watches any more.

Who to buy from?

There is people scare to buy watches from Parallel Import Source, as they feel that an office Authorized Dealer look more comfortable to you, Yes, of course, If you go to Cartier, Chanel, Rolex, Patek Philippe Boutique the way they serve you make you feel like you are King! Of course don't expect they give you a lot of discounts.

How about parallel importers of grey dealer watch? No, they are not official dealer, but as far as I know, many of them were taken out from Watch from AD!, and some of them are very powerful watch Dealer.

Their watches are authentic watches with price less 20% or even more! However they usually do not come with Box, or pay a few hundred more for a Box.

What is the concern if you buy from Grey dealers?

1. Go to shop/Person that has good reputation

2. You know him/them well/ highly recommended from Social Media

3. They usually take CASH only, no card accepted

4. Box with additional Charges,

What to buy!?

That really depends on what you are looking for!?

But One thing that can be as a hints, some of the hottest model is not necessary hot in other country, such as Deepsea, Yacht master II steel and two tone and there is a lot of DeepSea in German,  Sweden and Finland, so that you can buy at a bigger discount there.

Where to Buy?

As there is no tax for watch in HK, naturally, buying in HK might be one of your consideration

and That is why there is almost 90 AD shops selling the Rolex in HK.

So in short what is the best value buy!??

These are some of the samples

DeepSea Ref 116660 black 44mm from grey Dealer (Official List price is $88,000)

Price at AD is $83,600 (5% Disc.)

Price of parallel is about $70,000 to $72,000 (20% off) full set box included

Ref 116680 Yacht Master Stainless Steel 44mm with Blue Ceramic bezel, (official List price $145,300)

Price at AD is $138,035

Price of Parallel Watch is about $116,300 – $115,000 (less 20%)

Ref 116520 Daytona Black list price $90,000

Price at AD is about $97,000 to 98,000 (+10%)

Parallel Watch price is about $90,000 to 92,000 full set.

It is not uncommon that sometimes an official Rolex could be cheaper or similar price of a Parallel watch of hot sport model.

Note, some of the parallel watch network under promotion that offer a brand new Watch Winder as gift with watch purchase.

HK Snob

PS , this is purely personal opinion to share with you.

and the watch price quoted is an estimation for your reference only as different network may have different price.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Offshore Reference26401RO.OO.A002CA.01

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Offshore

Reference26401RO.OO.A002CA.01

If you are asked what are the most sought after brand of watch nowadays in HK and China: the Answer would likely be Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Rolex, Roger Dubuis and Patek Philippe.

Amongts Those, this APRO Ooffshore Chronograph is somewhat like DeepSea D- blue or Submariner Hulk of Rolex, very hot, very hard to find, and really NOT-Cheap!

These are the basic Element for Today’s Chinese looking at Watches to buy:

Got to be Iconic Design,

Brand Value,

hard to find and most of all

has to be Expensive!

Ref 26401OR is having a price tag of HKD$360,000, a Price for an Entry Level BMW or Lexus.

Why?

As it is black watch on Black Silicon Strap, added a Pink gold touch up changes the whole watch into  new look of CLASS.  It could not be mistaken not an AP!

It is Large of 44mm, and it takes 365 parts to construct this Watch.

18-carat pink gold case,

glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, black ceramic bezel,

screw-locked crown and pushpieces, pink gold pushpiece guards

DialBlack dial with “Méga Tapisserie” pattern,

silver-toned counters, gold applied hour-markers and gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating, black inner bezel ring

Bracelet Black rubber strap with 18-carat pink gold pin buckle

What if you are offered a price of a Toyota Camry for this Watch!? Will you be drooling?

HK Snob

Watch Fever

My new Toy Rolex Yacht master II Ref 116680

My New YM II REf 116680

Rolex Yacht Master II White Dial Blue Bezel Stainless Steel Automatic Mens Watch 116680

Yacht Master was once not my favourite or preferred model for Rolex just because I don't have a yacht, nor I am not a master!

Until today, before a friend passed this Lovely Huge Watch to me, I took it out and look at it closely with my glasses removed. Well, I started to feel, what else Rolex Designer would make a better layout on the Dial. They are nicely arranged but it is not crowded. The Regatta Triangle Pointer starts to down counter at 10 Minutes point Clockwise, it has split second function. the Arc formed 10 minutes counter set at the middle of the dial clearly been read without difficulty at Sea, a 44mm case would be needed for such function at sea. And A Blue Ceramic bezel is beautifully set at the outer rim of the watch to tell you are about to start a yacht game at Blue sea…

Once I know how to set the Counter, I think that Rolex Engineer has done months of painstaking job in design in the sequence, on how to set the Counter with just the same Crown for setting the time.

The Early model was told having problem if you reset it at midst of the count down process, but now Rolex has totally taken care of this issue, beside, I am OK to wear this 44mm size watch which I think it is big enough to tell people 15 M away I am wearing A yacht master!

This watch is 100% Stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet. Bi-directional rotating bezel. White dial with blue hands and index hour markers. Minute markers around the outer rim. Dial Type: Analog. Small seconds sub-dial. Automatic movement. Scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Screw down crown. Case diameter: 44 mm. Round case shape. Oysterlock clasp. Water resistant at 100 meters / 330 feet. Functions: hour, minute, second. Luxury watch style. Watch label: Swiss Made. Rolex Yacht Master II White Dial Blue Bezel Stainless Steel Automatic Mens’ Watch with Ref 116680WAO.

List Price : HKD$145,300

Someone could possible get me at a decent discount of 2X percent, so why not!?

HK Watch Fever
HK Snob

In Time Watch Company, right at Mong Kok Shopping Hub.

Gundam Special 2,000 pieces

some other Limited Series

These are the watches I bought today the Pink Sheen is for my Daughter

In Time Watch Company

Hospitality is what consumer service industry need for, including Watch selling business.

Newsday, besides walk into Rolex AD to buy a Gold Rolex once in a few years as an exciting event, I do find interesting to talk to nice people like Will who runs this tiny shop “In Time Watch Company” opened lately at Yan On Building at Mong Kok, where those Kwai Yan and Vintage Concept is there too.

The Shop is small, but he gets what you want...

The Gundam, limited 2000 pieces at very Reasonable price.

Because of the good proice, I bought five watches todays, of course I cannot leave my daughter having no watch on her wrist…

If you have time , or I you have to buy G-shock, come to this place and talk to Will, he will give you his best knowledge and technical advice.

Beside, Casio, he carries Sunnto, Citizen. Luminox, Elegantsis, Kenneth Cole, Edwin, Giorgio Fedon.

Address:

In Time Watch Company

Unit 17 B, G/F, Yan On building, Kwong Wah Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon.

Whatsapp me to get a Discount Code : starting less 20% (with exception on Special limited models)

 

HK Snob

HK Watch Fever

Watch Movement Lubrication

Movement oil plays an important role in every mechanical movement- it acts as lubricant that reduces the friction between contact surfaces of the different small components within.

Without the lubricant, the friction created will wear out the movement and adversely affect its accuracy. Any surface contains irregularities, even when polished to a mirror finish.

When two surfaces are gently brought together, only some points on the surfaces make contact and wear against each other. With lubrication, a protective film present on each of the surfaces separates the two surfaces. The protective film adheres to each surface and must resist being sheared off or pushed aside by the movement of the surfaces, particularly under a load.

Today's commonly available lubricants are manufactured from petroleum and consist of chains of carbon and hydrogen called alkanes. An oil molecule usually has between 15 to 20 carbon atoms, while a grease molecule will have 20 to 25.

The side of the hydrogen atoms facing away from the carbon atoms has a slight positive charge, attracting it to the sea of electrons of the metals. This force will of course be considerably stronger in a longer carbon chain. The lubricant adheres to the surface yet easily slips over other lubricant molecules, reducing the level of friction as lubricant molecules rub together rather than brass and steel surfaces.

A lubricant with a longer carbon chain is less volatile, that is, it does not evaporate as easily. As the temperature rises, vibrations break apart the lubricant molecules, leaving a watch movement vulnerable to damage. Since molecules with longer carbon chains vibrate less at a given temperature, they are less likely to evaporate.

On the other hand, we must consider what happens to a lubricant in colder temperatures. In this case, the weight of longer carbon chains is no longer a benefit. Oils with higher molecular weights will thicken more rapidly and clog a watch movement.

In practice, manufacturers blend oils to modify and perfect the lubricating and thickness properties of the combined mixture. When considering how thick a lubricant to use, one must determine the thickness of that lubricant at the coldest temperature the timepiece will be subjected to.

Watches worn on the wrist under normal conditions should not be lubricated with the ultra-thin lubricants necessary in extremely cold environments.

By blending watch oils, a talented watchmaker can achieve perfect lubrication in all temperature ranges.

Our researchers at Ball Watch Company have engineered timepieces with special lubrication for expeditions in the North and South Poles. These timepieces feature specially blended Swiss watch oils that give the watches an operating temperature range from -40°C to 60°C. This special feature allows the Engineer Hydrocarbon to fulfill its promise as a dependable partner for Richard Limeburner in his search for the USS Alligator under the icy ocean.

(From Ball web site)

As for our watches, there is different kind of oil being used at different area, the amount of oil used is critical, too much will cause overflow and splash onto the coil spring, that will cause the watch to be inaccurate, or too less will have in sufficient lubrication.

We have seen a trend of moving from organic oil to synthetic oil which will not tends to get thickened and will not cause the watch to get losing time. That was the indication or alert for you sending your watch to cleaning.

That may be wise to send it to service regularly, from experience if you use the watch everyday, 5  years

If you don't use it at all, I suggest you to take it out and use it a couple of days every 3 to 6 months.

Some people put the watch on watch winder even though he is not going to use it for years, it definitely will cause more wear and tear on the parts, in my opinion, I will not do so to my watches.

Rolex recommends us to service the watch once every 5 years, the price is about HKD$1,200. Usually they will ask for other parts changed such as o rings, or even polish, the total bill will be about HKD$2,600 if you agree the requested extra services. Time, about 2 weeks.

Reference for Rolex Lubrication

http://www.horologist.com/rolex_lubrication.htm

HK Watch Fever

HK Snob

Rolex AD, Paris

This is what we could see Rolex at Paris AD, they have the black Blue GMT Master II, DeepSea D-Blue and almost everything.

HK Snob