New Piaget 2019

The Limelight Gala's asymmetrical curves together with its retro-contemporary style have made this one of the brand's iconic collections. The hand-engraved bracelet on this new model is a reminder that Piaget is also a specialist in textured gold. Its "Décor Palace" pattern is a hallmark of several outstanding Piaget watches since the 1960s. This particular tour de force by the brand's artisans is beautifully paired with a banded dark green malachite dial. A cascade of diamonds, in a new "open" setting, around the bezel and along the lugs takes advantage of larger stones that appear to hold each other in place.

Piaget has imagined how light and shade can play on the scales of an exotic animal, and reproduced this rippling effect in pink gold on the Extremely Lady watch, which adds to an already rich collection of textures inspired by nature and wrought in gold. Each scale is brushed by hand, in delicate touches and with minute differences in angle and pressure. The result is a shimmering bracelet whose scale decoration continues on the gold dial, a nod to the signature aesthetic of Piaget's 1960s and 1970s watches. The bezel, set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.46 carats) and the pink tone of the gold lend a vintage touch to this charmingly elegant watch.

To me this is one of the five most beautiful lady watches in the year.

Ever since the manual-wind 9P calibre, released in 1957 and just 2mm high. Piaget needs no introduction as a master of extra-thin movements. During the 1960s, the brand was also acclaimed for its original hardstone dials. This year, it carries on both traditions with the introduction of three models featuring meteorite dials in its Altiplano collection. The meteorite has been given a galvanic treatment to impart a golden, blue or anthracite colour, depending on the model. The blue dial version also has 72 diamonds (approximately 1 carat) around the bezel. Piaget has equipped these 40mm-diameter watches with the automatic-winding 1203P calibre, which stands barely 3mm high. All three are proposed as limited editions.

I was once a fan of Piaget especially those special hardstone dial, Onyx, tiger eyes. I am still a fan of Piaget too.

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

Rolex Day Date 2019

Rolex presents its iconic Oyster Perpetual Day-Date with a fresh aesthetic and a new-generation mechanical movement, Calibre 3255, inside a 40 mm case. From a design perspective, this new Day-Date features refined lugs and case middle, a large dial opening, and an exclusive return to the President bracelet that is more closely integrated into the Oyster case. The movement has COSC certification (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) yet in fact complies with precision criteria that are twice as exacting. It incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement which combines high energy efficiency with dependability. Made from nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic interference. The oscillator has an optimized blue Parachrom balance spring. New barrel architecture and the escapement's greater efficiency ensure a power reserve of 70 hours.

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

New Cartier Watch 2019

Cartier revisits the tonneau form, which made its first appearance in 1906, with this skeletonized rendition displaying two time zones. Crafted in platinum, the manual-winding 9919 MC.

The shape of the movement has been modified, aligning the wheels in the gear train to follow the curve of the case and using the bridges to create sub-dials for easy reading of the two time displays.  100-piece limited edition.

Cartier Santo-Dumont

When a timepiece is this modern in temperament and design, it's hard to imagine that it's actually celebrating its 115th anniversary this year! The new Santos-Dumont watch honours the one which Cartier first imagined in 1904 for the pioneering aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont. A pink gold case, Roman numerals, visible screws, beaded crown and a blue cabochon carry on the legacy of this truly classic watch. Quartz movement having an automomy of 6 years. I would prefer an manual winding more.

Panther

Cartier creativity and expertise come to life on a grid-like dial whose every miniature square has been hand-painted to recreate the fur of Cartier's beloved feline.

When darkness falls, all that remains are the panther's piercing eyes, which are highlighted with SuperLuminova.

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

New Vacheron Constantin Watches 2019

The First tourbillon Overseas shows hours and minutes, while small seconds are on the tourbillon carriage which is openworked in the shape of a Maltese Cross, the emblem of the Manufacture.

Calibre 2160 whose extra-thin profile measures 5.65mm high (and barely more than 10mm high for the case). Such slender forms of a watch that delivers a comfortable 80 hours of power reserve. The distinguishing features of the Overseas collection are perfectly respected, with the characteristic six-sided bezel and a blue dial whose colour is brought out by the steel case. Beating at 2.5 Hz, lovely design as a Sport Watch.

On the Vacheron Constantin’s 260th anniversary, it returns to its roots by enriching its Métiers d’Art collection with two new timepieces equipped with entirely hand-engraved movements, the plates and bridges of the manual-winding calibres 2260 (14-day tourbillon) and 4400 (hours, minutes) are adorned with delicate floral motifs echoing the engravings that embellished the first pocket watches developed by Vacheron Constantin from 1755 onwards. Housed in a platinum case, these two in-house-made movements feature traditional tone-on-tone motifs. These mingled scrolling and arabesque patterns pay tribute to the acanthus flower, a source of inspiration celebrated in all art forms since Antiquity.

65 Days Power Reserve

Vacheron Constantin breaks new design with this perpetual calendar; an ostensibly classic complication – except that the watch is equipped with two gear trains, each with its own balance. One vibrates at a high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vph) while the other maintains a frequency of 1.2 Hz (8,640 vph). By pressing the pusher at 8 o'clock, the wearer of the watch can switch between frequencies by "Resting" one or other of the balances. Switching to the lower frequency when the watch isn't worn means significantly less energy consumption, thereby extending the power reserve from four to 65 days.

What an innovative design!

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

Foundation High Horology

Investment on Watch

Whilst Real estate is going flat a bit this two months January to March 2019 and over the year had dropped 15% in HK, besides Real estate, do you want to invest in watches?

The fact is, even if a watch is going to appreciate, it’s not going to do so by a huge margin. Compared to property, classic cars, painting, old jades or fine wine they’re just not worth the time it takes to research the subject. Still, there, there is the bonus point that they rarely drop in value.

A good watch shouldn’t really degrade that much. It’s not a Ferrari F40 that may involve high cost on maintenance, after all If you keep it regularly serviced and avoided being hit by a bicycle at night or metalsmith’s hammer!

The problem is that watches, unlike most other investments, they follow trends. They’re high-value mechanical marvels, men’s accessories, but when you boil it all down they’re simply an accessory on the wrist. And while trends are cyclical, you just can’t wait another 30 years for your watch to come back as the Fashioned models. Unless yours is the Vintage Rolex whereby the demand is always there and they are growing!

Up to now, if you still insist on putting your cash on watch investment a try, there are a few ways to go about it.

Try this if you are having a deep pocket; Patek Phillipe Ref 5711/1A or 5712/1A (these two models are selling in the HK market about HK$500,000) Nautilus which is the most sought after NEW Pateks in the market. However if you are not those people who are being “RECOGNIZED” at the Potential owner by Patek General Manager in HK. That you are almost impossible to buy at SRP at Patek Boutique unless you have the patience to wait for 5 years.  Then Try the second Approach, the Rolex Approach.

 

Rolex Sport Models

Well, everyone now what is hit in the market but being a newbies, what is the best investment item on Rolex?

These are my suggestion

Best 6

1. Daytona Ceramic Ref 116500LN White
2. Daytona Ceramic Ref 116500LN Black
3. Batman GMT Master II Ref 116710BLNR
4. Submariner Hulk Ref 116610LV
5. GMT Master II Green Pointer Ref 116710LN
6. Explorer II 216570 Black 

Whatsapp me for more if you want to invest on Rolex or HKWF!

HK Snob

Repairing your Vintage Rolex at Rolex Service Centre

New Policy set–up over the past ten years had been taken places.

By all means to deny vintage Rolex servicing at Rolex Service Centre.

They seem do not like to take care of their products shipped from the door of Rolex Factory…

In my interpretation Rolex is the Last four of the Top Four Brand in Swiss watch…

My Choice of preferred brand

Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audmars Piguet and Rolex…. 

Patek Philippe can take care of their products shipped out from the factory back to 1880….

In fact you can send any Patek Philippe watch to them, they will do service for you regarding of price. At least they have Intention to maintain the Satisfactory of the watch that had been passing down through generations, but with exception on enamel dial which Patek Claims they have lost that technique many years ago though I doubt as they still making watch with Enamel dial.  Same For Vacheron Constantin, recently the have recalled some of the old vintage watches form 1930 to 1970 and fully restored and selling it into the market at his HK Boutique. Those are beautiful watches Vacheron Constantin made in that Period of time.

 

I had the first Royal Oak Jumbo 39mm in Solid Gold wit S/N 075. I was offered by the AP manager offering a full service for me… Well, that was the first generation Gerald Genta Design Royal oak made in 1972….Can you see the difference?

 

Whereas Rolex is trying to say there is not such parts anymore to your GMT that you bought in 1984? Not even mention watches from 1972 or 1956.

What is Vintage Rolex VR?

1. Anything  beyond year 1989 would likely classified Vintage in the eyes of Rolex (T<25)
2. Model number Ref of 4 digits such as 6542, 6539, 1675, 1655, 1665, 1016, 1019, 1503, 1501, 1803…
    
   So what shall we do about our Vintage Rolex?
   If you want to take these to repair, they will give you a lots of questions or dump all the responsibility to you such as there is no liability in case the dial, hands and are accidentally cracked, lume fallen out, cracked, you have to agree by signing on papers that Rolex will not shoulder those liability before they consider service your watch.
    
   There are no more parts for you on your vintage watch and if there is only the Replacement Dial or hands to be used whilst the original rare and expensive dial hands will be confiscated.  Replacement dial mean the dial that is available on that Model of Watch but of the latest available version, and or dial that had been reworked or restored as replacement purpose… That your Vintage Rolex value would be depreciated.
    
   
   True case
    
   I had a friend who took his non-vintage Day Date Coral Dial Ref 18038 for services, I don’t know what made him doing this and service what. End result was the coral dial was cracked after the servicing…he came home with a heavy heart and sad for weeks
    
   My Friend was though a lucky guy and after 1 year and a half , Rolex called him that they found a Coral Dial asking him if he liked to install on the watch or nor? Of course he has to say “Yes”, then he paid HK$15,000 for the dial and got a Service paper on this Watch…. Congrats, this isa exceptional rare cases my friend!
    
   
   There is recent a case friend of mind took a Submariner Onyx watch for checking and in fact wanted to get the service paper. Note that this is recent watch X series, (1991), the watch smith says that the watch bezel is not Rolex and said that there is no such watch under that S/N carrying the Onyx….
    
   And the lady called my friend saying that Come to get the “GMT master II, what GMT master II?” That is a Submariner… later they confirmed that S/N is actually been installed with Onyx Dial on the watch. Friend of mine asked me should be proceed to open and take out the dial and check, I told my fiend Don’t do that…. As there is 50% they will break your dial, don’t know why, this always happen on certain expensive watch dial, maybe I am too much spook on the paranoid that someone may make it as purpose…coz they may drooling on the dial.
    
   A watch Submariner 16618 with Onyx dial may be US$50,000, a Submariner with ordinary dial is US$20,000!
    
   My friends Day Date 18038 with Coral is now worth US$60,000, if ordinary Day Date is Just US$10,000!
    
   Next time if you really want to take the watch for Rolex for servicing, Please make sure you will prepared not to see the watch coming back as it was before…. You may be getting a new replacement dial from them.
    
   So what should we do with our VR, bring to some private watch expert to repair, they will exercise with utmost care on your watch. And normally minimum damages would be happened on it.

HK Snob

Some of Patek Philippe Watches

Patek Philippe's Headquarters building and retail shops in Geneva. View from the Lake.

I had a chance to visit all floors by invitation last May 2018.

I saw a lot of Stern family's own collection of paintings beside beautiful timepieces.

A selection of Men's and ladies gold Nautilus model.

I like the one in blue at the middle.

Patek Philippe Model 130 (1941)

Watch with Chronograph and 30 minutes timer.

Silver Dial with raised gold Breguet Figures and Tachymeter scale.

Movement No. 862345

Patek Phillipe Men's Model 3700/1 "Nautilus" with Date display.

Case Water-resistant up to 120m.

Calibre 28-255C.

Designed by Gerald Genta and launched in 1976.

It is now worth HKD$1,500,000 nowadays.

Up to now Nautilus is still the iconic sport watch from Patek Philippe.

Model 5712/1A has a waiting list of 7 years at Patek Philippe Headquarters.

Patek Philippe Men's Large watch (1919) Third Quality: 15 Jewels bimetallic balance; flat hairspring; ebauche by LeCoultre.

Roger Dubuis' Much More has 50% resembling this Patek Design.

The Skeleton Watch

I wonder for how many hours they have to spend making such a piece of Art.

I think this is the minimalist's favourite Complication watch.

Model 3448 in 1967.

Underneath the dial would unveil the beauty of Patek Philippe watch making tradition since 1839.

The name Patek Philippe would arouse fascination and enthusiasm among watch collectors.

Timepieces manufactured by Patek Phillippe represent the best that one can buy for personal time keeping.

Patek Philippe Model 2497 in rose gold (1953)

Patek model 1554 (1942)

With this kind of condition it would likely reach a hammer price of HK$3.4M at Auction.

What can you say about this watch?

Too Small?

Too complicated?

Not Water proof?

No, nothing you can say anything at all except "just too Expensive"

This is Model 2499 (1951) John Lenon.

Life is too short for a beautiful Watch!

Patek Philippe ideally keeps the spare parts for more modern Calibre from mid 1930.

Even though there is no spare part, they an make one for you.

Of course Price is another issue.

So basically your Patek can last forever.

There is an exception that those enamel dial would be an issue such as the famous 2526 of the 1950's because such craftmen specializing in this skilled enamel work are virtually extinct!

HK Snob

Daytona price trend 2015-2020

Price of Daytona Zenith Black A series full set
Used with 90 % condition
2015 $140,000
2016 $160,000
2017 $180,000
2018 $220,000 after two major international Paul Newman auction record high
2019 $240,000
2020 $260,000
2021 $ TBA

NOS A Black dial
2016 $230,000
2017 $280,000
2018 $350,000
2019 $400,000

Price of Daytona 116520LN V series White NOS
2016  $110,000
2017 $140,00
2018 $155,000

Price of new Daytona Ceramic 116500LN
Feb 2017 $129,000
Feb 2018 $140,000
Feb 2019 $180,000
Feb 2020 $ 200,000

Price is an average reference base on my experience in selling in these years.
There might be 10% variation between different countries, exrate and or gray dealer or AD goods!

The above Daytona Left is W, middle and Right is A series.
It comes with papers, box, hang tags and if needed booklets
W is Pateizzi  HK$280,000
A is Hk$240,000

HK Snob

Ferdinard E. Marcos's Patek Philippe 3528/3 White Gold Watch

May be you are aware that I had posted an article about this President's Watch back in 25, May 2013.

Well, the owner of this watch had contacted me on watches, including Heuer, IWC and this rare and important watch.

After on and off discussion over the past 6 years. I had a chance to see this watch myself. Well, this belongs to a big watch collector from USA.

Birthday 11 Sept 1975

Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986.

To what I know Marcos time, While in power he implemented wide-ranging programs of infrastructure development and economic reform. At that period of time, Philippines was the second richest country in Asia!

President Marcos has celebrated his 58th birthdays with an appeal for more food production. Macros flew by helicopter to Barrio Pandi joined farmers harvesting rice, took breakfast in a hut with the peasant’s family and held a cabinet meeting under the shade of a mango tree.

1975 is a special year for the first family the First Lady was the guest speaker in the U.N. in New York for women's right before heading back to Manila for the president’s 58th birthday.

The model number is 3528/3.

To watch Collector like I, it is key interests to know what essential watch he likes… Marcos was ahead of time wearing White Gold as one of his preferred colour on watch.

Patek Philippe Ref 3528/3

Vintage Patek Philippe Classic in 18k white gold on the mesh bracelet. A stunning Sunburst Anthracite dial.

Length 7.75 inches. Manual. Ref 3528-3. With Patek Archive papers. Circa 1971.

This Patek Philippe watch has a 25.5 x 29.5 mm case with a Rectangle caseback with Stick dial.

This is an exceptional nice piece of artworks from Patek Philippe.

HK Snob

Philippine Ex-President’s Patek 3258/3

A Patek Philippe 3528/3 18 KT White gold

Sunburst anthracite dial, double Geneva seal.

A gift from his wife on his 58 year birthday!

HK Snob

Rolex Market Overview 2019

Yacht Master II Ref 116621

Rolex Watch overview

Some people invest in a luxury item to celebrate a major achievement in their career or personal life, while others just want to wear this elegant timepiece that holds its value for years and years to come.

In Hong Kong, I know many parents have bought his kid a Birth Year Rolex and give them when they graduate from their University. Lucky kids!

The important thing to remember is to never rush into buying your first Rolex watch. You should do research to understand the different features that matter to you. Generally, you have the option to buy a brand new Rolex or a vintage one. For people who are planning on buying one for the first time, it may be worth considering buying brand new to make sure there are no issues.

One key thing you should know is, nowadays, it is almost impossible to buy Rolex at SRP (List price or Supplier Recommended Price) at AD (Authorized Dealer) for sport model.

If you decide to go for a previously-owned Rolex, you need to be sure about its histories such as any problem, defect, and its authenticity. Buying from a renowned Seller is suggested. From there, you can ask yourself if you want a Rolex that is dressy, sporty, casual or a little on the flashy side. The price tag also depends on the model and the features you want in the watch.

What are the Rolex Sport models?

Yacht Master II, Explorer II, Daytona, Submariner, Sea Dweller, GMT Master II, Sky Dweller, Air King and Milgauss.

Non Sport Model is Day Date, Perpetual Oyster, Date Just, and the Cellini.

Price and Discount in Hong Kong

All Rolex watch under the same model carries the Same SRP price in all AD shops as this is controlled by Rolex.

Discounts

All Sport model might not be offered any discount now at AD.

Well, to my understanding, there is some exceptional cases that if you are the SVIPs as you may buy another watch or jewelry item worth Half a Millions the same time you buy the Rolex.

New Rule since November 2018.

All Rolex watches are require to put name of the purchaser on the name card,

The White tag carries the S/N number of the watch had to be confiscated by the Manager

The manager will put done the Date of the purchase on the Warranty card

All the sticker on the watch have to be removed

And the bracelet has to be resized a nd you are required to wear it immediately to leave the Shop.

Also they have t take a picture on the resized watch and the filled up warranty card and that picture will be sent to Rolex HQs in Hong Kong.

Price Adjustment

There are two major price adjustment, one is Nov 2012 for all Rolex Model increased by 3-5%

The other time was August 2014 that only few Sport models price were increased by 3 to 6 Percent.

Only till 31 Jan 2019, all Rolex model price were increased from HK$2000, to HK$30,000

With exception that the model GMT Master II White Gold Pepsi Ref 116719BLRO decreased from HK$297,900 to HK$286,800!

Market Price

Due to Demand and supply not in balance, also a lot of people going to invest on Rolex after they surrender in purchase of the home in HK, as House in Hong Kong has been the world No. 1 highest since 2011.  An average hone will take us 19 years annual income to buy!

Daytona Ceramic Ref 116500LN white is now selling at HK$188,000  which is 1.94X the SRP HK$96,700

GMT Master II Pepsi Ref 126710BLRO is selling at HK$131,500 which is 1.8X the SRP HK$72,700

Batman GMT Master II Ref 116710BLNR is now selling at HK$107,000 which is 1.53X the SPR HK$69,600

Submariner Single Red Ref 126600  is selling HK$106,000 which is 1.19X the SRP of HK$88,500

Submariner Ceramic Ref 116610LN is selling HK$79,000 which is 1.189X SRP of HK$66,400

Discontinued Model

Rolex Manager told me that Explorer II has been discontinued. Though He is a manager but Rolex seldom announce that certain Model will be discontinued till the Release of the new Model. So let’s watch out at Basel World 2019.

Milgauss green glass should be also in the list of discontinuity. Ref 116400GV 

Basel 2019 Rolex new release

There used to have a lot of guess on what Rolex would have in the Basel 2019

These are some of my idea

Explorer II

2018 was the 65th anniversary of the Submariner and the Explorer Ref 214270. Obviously both anniversaries went by unobserved. In fact, I'm not aware of any anniversary model that wasn't a 50th-year tribute - I'm not aware of any significant anniversaries next year. The Explorer II turns 50 in 2021, so it might make sense for Rolex to hold off on any changes in that model until then.  Ceramic Explorer II may come with ceramic Bezel for the first time by 2020

Submariner

I think the Submariner will get some attention in 2019. I think that the Submariner's current 3135 movement will get replaced with the new 3285 movement that was placed in the new Pepsi. The new Model shall be 216610LN with 70 hour power reserve and may have a slightly tapered lug transition to bracelet. The other not new in 2018 but current GMTs still have the 3186 movement.

GMT Master II

Will there be a Coke Version released this year, I am not too sure, may not be in this year.

Daytona

I cannot think of what major changes could take place on the Current Model 116500LN!

Supply to Watch Buyer

Still Rolex has a high production still cannot supply enough to the Rolex Fans…. So price will be still up in the SKY

Will you imagine that a Daytona Steel would be going to the price of HK$195,000 ? Possible and soon!

How Many Rolex Watches were made a year?

Nobody outside Rolex (or Wilsdorf foundation) knows the exact number of Rolex Watch made each year, but our estimated number is between 800,000 and 950,000 a year. As remembered that Rolex had reduced 50% of Sport models in 2017.  We also think that Rolex control its number as dynamic, which means they can go up and down depending on the economic climate, demand situation or price control. We’ve seen some years that weren’t easy, probably also not for Rolex. It makes us a bit hard to convince that Rolex is not able to fulfill the demand for these stainless steel models such as the Submariner and GMT-Master. In my opinion, Rolex Simply does not want to make vast expansion on production because Rolex Does not need to be responsible for his share-holders as Rolex is a private company!

How Do I look at the Rolex as for Investment?

Well, I think there is possibility Hulk will be discontinued this 2019 after its first appearing on 2010, Sorry We say this every year but it seems the Hulk never Die, LOL!

Batman instead was introduced in 2014 but up to now its price is even higher than Hulk in the open market! Why? Because rumor is that will be discontinued, again this may be rumor only.

But the fact is Batman is selling in the market HK$107,000 whereas Hulk is priced at HK$102,000.

I think these are the best Rolex investment for 2019.

BUY:-

1. Daytona Ceramic 116500LN White
2. Batman GMT Master II 116710BLNR
3. Submariner Hulk 116610LV
4. Explorer II 216570 Black

This is purely my personal comment on Rolex, you are welcome to give your comment.

HK Snob