A Journey of Watch Collection

If you ask a young Japanese student what is a mechanical watch, 95% of them cannot tell, as since they were borne, watches are driven by Quartz with a tiny battery cells keep them running for 3-5 years. As Japan is dominant by Seiko, Citizen and Casio, the three giants for watches. Very Few people are wearing a Patek Philppe or a Vacheron Constantin in the street. May be some on the central of Ginza. Of course nowadays that is quite common to see Japanese wears Grand Seiko and Rolex….

Where as in Hong Kong, if you ask an average adult what is an Automatic Watches, 55% of men and 85% of women would reply is saying it is a battery Cell driven watch, though there are tons of Rolexes are to be seen in a Cinema and or Train. They are the watch user but not watch collectors… they wear the watch that had to be recognized by his friend and people around them, they might not know the story of the watch at all.

To me, my father triggered me the interests in looking for watches since the first day he bought me a Citizen Hand wind  as it was displayed as “Student Watch” in one of the small shop at Sun Po Kwong where we lived nearby…. With HK$35 back in 1967…. Since the day, I was puzzled by the maze of running for different kind of watches…

When I passed by Rolex shop, I almost stuck my nose through the window to see the beautiful shinning Fluted bezel of a Rolex Day Date… I looked at the price tag, I think I could not afford it in my whole life,,,, that was an equivalent of my father’s four years’ salary… but every time I passed by I told myself ,.. one day I must have one like this…!

Gradually after I worked on M/V… and Oil Rigs… I started to buy myself Rolex Date Just stainless steel, then Cartier Two Tone Santos, Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Pink gold…

After years, I got my first Daytona 16528 with Diamond, and Then I bought a Jaeger LeCoultre Perpetual Calendar in Yellow Gold with single Crown adjustment.

After I worked in the current company, I bought my first wife solid gold Date Just 31mm, but was stolen later on, so sad…

Moreover, I bought a few Rolexes to my wife, for another one… I got her a Solid gold Rolex Date Just with diamonds, and a Tudor Two Tone when we married, an Oyster Perpetual in steel, a Date Just in Yellow gold tone with date… and an Explorer II Polar…

Sooner I bought a few watches for another one I love,, a Day Date Solid gold 19018 Birch, a Day Date 18338  in blue, a Citizen minutes Repeater, an Oyster Quartz stainless 17000 and a two tone 17013 as she loved them for not stop moving after 40 hours….

There are as many answers to that question as there are collectors, but I have noticed one fundamental truth that binds them together. No matter their age, race, experience, and budget, all watch collectors can still remember the first truly remarkable mechanical watch they handled, or bought by someone?

What is the best beloved dress watch I like, it is rare and beautiful Constantin Triple Calendar wristwatch from the 1990s. It is a truly special, functional and not-too-unaffordable, the kind of watch that inspires a new level of respect for the art of watchmaking.  For myself… I think I like most Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, Ademars Piguet, Cartier, Piaget,  Rolex, Panerai, IWC, jaeger..

I don’t know how many Rolex I have owned, but to be honesty I treat them as goods and tools Only few Rolex that I admire… such as the Day Date Onyx 18038, Submariner 16618 in onyx…probably a white Gold 1803 in Mahogany dial… or even a Coral which this is harder to find than to get to the moon by plane….what plane?

Recently when I get old I narrow down my collection and I told myself I prefer to spend less money on more variety of those not too complicated watches rather than to invest heavily on few expensive Complications…

In recently I start to collect some special rare species such as Presidents’ Watches… some watches of certain important people that carry a story…

If you ask me what is the best watch I like… Honesty I think the answer is still the same over the three decades…. A Platinum Day Date…or a nice Patek Dress watches…

If you ask me how about a Nautilus Ref 5712/A-001 or 5711/A-001? All I can say…. That is love and hate…

If you are old watch collector, you probably know what I mean…

HK Snob

How we should buy a Patek Philippe Nautilus with SRP!?

The auction route isn’t much easier. Patek Philippe easily beats all other fine watchmakers when it comes to record-setting hammer prices, and pieces continue to appreciate in value, as much as 100 times the original price. It’s estimated that less than one million watches have been produced since the company was founded over 175 years ago, whereas Rolex makes close to one millions watch within the years 2006. Even Rolex has reduced their production volume. Rolex still produces as many as 700,000 watches in 2017.

This making Patek Philippe watches among the rarest timepieces on the market. 

Of course, with all the hoop-jumping required to buy the real thing, there is some fake stuff in the market. We will cover this topics in next post. 

Buying a Patek Philippe is a life time investment. I must take it seriously..

Buying a Patek Philippe watch isn’t simple as just you have the money or a black diamond credit card.  

Of course if you are those super rich persons, you don’t have to read this article as you can buy anywhere with you money paying at the market price. 

I am talking about buying those hot model at SRP (suggested retail price).

Hot Model is Nautilus or Aquanaut such as Ref 5711/1A-001, 5712/1A-001, 5990/1A-001, 5986A… stainless steel models. 

The market situation is so hot that we normally have to wait for years to get one of these watches at the Patek Philippe Boutique.  

Last year yesterday this time I went to Geneve Patek Philippe, the senior sales executives told me that a local Swiss had to wait for 7 years for a Patek Ref 5712/1A-001.

It is time to line up for a Patek for your Son!! LOL. 

Patek steel sport watches is somewhat similar to Rolex Daytona Steel model. Market price is over 2X of the SRP! 

So for example a Rolex Daytona Ceramic Ref 116500LN SRP is $97,600 but normally you can only get one at the market with HK$188,000 or more for the white *1. 

Patek most sought after steel model like Ref 5712 SRP is HK$298,740, but market price is about $500,000-$700,000. 

For the most intricate styles, called Grand Complications, or the popular Nautilus and Aquanaut sport models, potential buyers must submit to an application process. The Stern family, which has owned the company since 1932, reviews each application to judge whether a prospective owner has a proven track record with the company and appreciates the fine craftsmanship of each timepiece. 

In Hong Kong, only known few of my friends had successfully bought a Nautilus Ref 5712 and Ref 5711 with SRP. 

These are the list of the preferred name that Patek would give the watch with higher priority. 

University professor

Doctors

Movie Star

Successful Business man

Banker

Political Figures

Scientist

Senior Position in a Public listed company

Successful individuals

*2 

Hints

No need to be acting as a Patek Expert in front of the sales to please them.Some of us may know more than they on the watches, but they are the one to write up some points to send to the head office for recommendation. Just act normal, purpose is to buy a Patek Watch! 

The name card is the key, but you cannot borrow your CEO’s name card to go as when they call, they will call the number on the card. When you buy, you must be the real card holder. 

You leave your name card at one Boutique will do, no need to go to other boutique. 

My suggestion is really make up a touching story to influence the salesman to tell this is your watch intented to buy, use and pass to your son in future… 

They hate Dealer, if they smell you are the dealer, there is no more offer for you. 

I know one Patek Collectors who has over 100 Pateks and every time he gets the watch he wants at Boutique as everyone knows him he buys and he appreciates the watch, and never sell out… So these are the people Patek likes to do business with. 

The process is to leave you name card at any Patek Philippe shop written the model you want, our suggestion is to put maximum three models. 

They will submit to the general Manager in the Hong Kong head office to evaluate if they would sell it to you. 

Normally you should get a call from the Boutique within three weeks. 

Patek Philippe is still family-owned company. The independence for unlimited freedom and passion on design. Highly tradition and retaining good values.

Start to do your research and purchase a Patek for you and your family members now! 

All Patek Philippe timepieces are always a classic! 

This is an article that I think it may be helpful for you to get a Patek hot model at SRP, there are already three persons we know get the watch they want by leaving his name card at Patek Boutique within the last 5 months in Hong Kong. 

Everyone is happily bringing his holy grail home… !

Special Reminder, Nautilus Ref 5712-1A is really quite thin and if your wrist is big you might find that watch is too thin for you, at that time, call me and I buy from you.
Remarks

*1 Price of Today 14 April, 2019.

*2 Patek Never have announced that there is a list of preferred customer officially. 

Price listed here is HKD  

HK Snob  

PS
Address The Hour Glass Landmark - Patek Philippe Hong Kong Official Retailer

---

the Landmark, G/F Shop.G64, 14 Des Voeux,Central

10:00- 19:30
Tel:  ： 2522 0262 

The Patek Philippe (Hour Glass)  (on the right side of Holiday Inn Golden Miles Hotel
63, Nathan Road,
10:00-21:30

Tel :2723 2181

Watch Collection

These are some of my watch collection, of course there are some I forget to put it there.

That is not important.

The things is I am shifting more from a lot of brands into just a few.

I think I like these most: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, AP, Tudor and Cartier.

HK Snob

                                            

Rolex's Success Factors

If I were asked what is best in terms of Function, value, Cost of ownership of a watch,

I think that will be Rolex.

Why not as the money you spend would be having a lot of quality in return.

And That is a very reliable watch for your Daily uses.

HK Snob

How to tell my Rolex Box is Fake or Authenic or not?

There are fake Rolex Box in the market, and some of them is very easy to tell for his colour is very much different with the original Rolex Box.

But there are Class A copy cat that is very close to the original design in dimension, colour and some of the details.

However Fake is Fake....

Here we are looking at the difference between an Authentic Rolex Box and a Counterfeit.

If There is no apple to apple comparison, I can tell you that the colour is so alike.

The Green Tick is original Rolex Box whilst the Red Cross is Fake.

The Original Box cover has a more clearer stamping mark of the Rolex icon.

The PVC foam sheet is different, original one has horizontal flow lines whereas fake one is having a

lot of small dot marks

Check the inner box paper folding , this is easy to be found... just a closer look. However I think onlt this one has such a obvious defect.

Check the printing quality.

This is obvious, this is hard to copy as original one has a concealed paper ends.

The Original Pillow is fuller, smoother and even seam line.

There is a step at the top of the tray which is obvious.

Good Quality cannot be copy easily. this is the authentic one, the cutting edge is sharp and clear.

The Rolex crown lies flat on the box surface leaving no gaps.

The purpose of this is to help you to identify if the box is fake or not when you buy Rolex not from a very reliable sources or not from an AD.

However, as far as I know, even some of the young Rolex Sales managers cannot tell if he is given just the fake box alone.

If the Box is fake, so as there watch , so you need to beware.

I hope it help you to identify the box, it makes you spending money without worrying buying counterfeits.

HK Snob

www.hongkongwatchfever.com has just been launched

Dear All,


the WWW.HongKongWatchFever.com has just been launched,
more pictures, watch on sale, watch wanted would be published later.


This is a announcement only, we are working on that now.


HK Snob

New Rolex AD operations in Hong Kong

There has been a lot new operations in Rolex HK, they are:

1. Required to remove all Sticker on the watch since Nov 2018.

Since Feb 2019.

1. Required to remove the sticker on the Rolex.

2. Required to Register the name of the Buyer as on the Credit card on the warranty card of the Rolex.

3. Required to remove one or two links fir your wrist.

4. We have to put the watch without stickers, the removed stickers, the warranty card with name printed on and written with the date of purchase, Take a picture and Whatsapp to Rolex Headquarters office.

5. The Watch Buyer must wear the watch out of the Rolex AD entrance.

I don't know about your country? UK., Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, are they strict as Hong Kong?

HK Snob

The Story of Rolex Submariner Onyx

The Story of Submariner Onyx

In my entire two decades of watch collection I have seen two Submariner Onyx and one Submariner Lapis Blue under same the Ref 16618. They are all in solid 18KT Gold.

The Submariner Lapis was on my wrist some 7 years ago one old friend sold me with HK$130,000 in a small restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui.

I did not take that instead I bought a Daytona in Yellow Gold 15628 with HK$130,000!- Big mistakes!

That was my first RolexRegret as the watch was taken for auction and sold in that year at HK$730,000.

In 2014, the same guy sold me another Submariner Onyx 16618 at HK$180,000 but I hesitated in five minuets the watch was sold to an owner of a Pawn Shop in cash…. So I had not more chance to see that again until 2017 the same guy sold me another Submariner Onyx this time I did not think for a second and I not even asked how much I say I buy it…

Next day to went to borrow money from one of my mistresses for that watch….and I started to feel great and happy about it…and You have read probably about the haunted story that Watch owner died when My watch was having problem and stopped in the same week!? Weird right!?

 

Well I sold it to a rich man at HK380,000 and after less then month he sold me back again as he had financial issue and he had to run to Japan he lost 10% of the money and I got the Submariner Onyx again.

Well, Later I sold it to my friend at HK$240,000 and he had been a very Happy time with the watch and he showed to many dealer and even Rolex Service centre asking for proofing it and no one seemed had seen such a watch there. Of course the watch was authenticated later after that they have checked the serial number of that watch was originated with a rare Onyx Dial from HQs of Rolex.

A few buyers had asked about the watch and no one give a step forward and most are tire kickers though some are real collectors who know about it, one mentioned that Onyx dial must come with gold lines instead of white… Another one claimed that the bezel insert colour yellow is too fake!
Another one say there is no such Onyx dial on submariner. They must just want to get it at cheaper which is pretty common in Hong Kong…

At last friend of mine had been contacted by an American who is the Toyota Agent at Utah… very knowledgeable and he has the Submariner Lapis Blue… so within 30 minutes of communication, the deal was set and next day my friend received over HK$3X0,000 and the watch was then sent on courier to USA...

 

Moral of this articles is, there are many Rolex varieties that even Rolex Service centre people haven’t seen it. There are many things we need to earn from the gurus and experts and try to explore more we can as a Watch Hunter…

In HK colloquial saying: “Never be wrong to buy expensive…. but always a mistake bought it cheap..!”

Worth a Thought!

HK Snob

Patek Philippe Ref 5711 Would reach another new High price in 2019

Getty Picture

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/5712 would reach HK$650,000 in the year. 

Ask the average Peron what is the most luxurious watch is and he or she might give you a reply of “Rolex”.

There is another brand making his way into the mainstream because of its record setting and resale price and rising amongst the culture setting of celebrity and influence of certain Hip-hop artists.

That is no question the Patek Philippe…Patek Philippe is religion say some of the international head of auction houses.

Patek Philippe represents the finest watch humankind can make since it was founded in 1839.

The brand has set up itself apart from all others with a unique combination of craftsmanship, function, style and some of the most complicated mechanical watches.

With small volume of watches made that one year Production Volume of Rolex would be more than the total number of all watches Patek Philippe made over their entire 180 years of history.

Within one year the price of Nautilus Ref 5712 Blue was increasing from HK$440,000 to current price of HK$500,000, note that the SRP is just HK$298,740.

What do you think if there is another surge of price in end of 2019, everything goes up must come down, right.

But I think it is reaching a very high price , well, speculator is still looking for another price up whilst Patek only make less the 2,000 such watches a year.

Patek Philippe Produces 50,000 -60,000 watches a year and there are 10-12000 steel watches and most of them are Twenty Fours and there are 441 AD World Wide from Patek.com and here I assuming every AD may get 2 X 5711 and 2X 5712 a year.

That means they produce about 2,000 of 5711/5712 total mix in a year, and may be less than 50% in Blue Dial.

So with this equation on, base on the current buying habit and people spending ability, Hong Kong people will be paying premiums even up to HK$650,000 for a such a watch.

Don’t quote my word as this is purely more estimation and I have long forgotten to think of this two animals already since I got on 5712 at SRP in May 2018 after waiting for 2 weeks, patiently…

I still expanding collection of Patek more on white gold or yellow gold simple watch function, partly due to my financial ability to, and expensive service charges on complicated watches.

Of course that is that is purely my personal habit, if you can afford a 6m Patek and a 4m Lambor, you are not likely the frequent reader of this blog…

HK Snob

Black dial H. Moser & Cie

Black dial H. Moser & Cie

A typical minimalist returns to the fundamentals of traditional watchmaking with a timepiece removing hands from the dial, a Dark Dial, telling time only by Its Repeater. A new manual-winding HMC 901 form calibre, with its delicately hand-decorated bridges and plates. Sorry that I will not spend this kind of money buying a watch which is 80% alike a Apple Watch.

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

New Ferdinand Berthoud 2019

Ferdinand Berthoud

Directly inspired by an astronomical pocket watch that was designed by Ferdinand Berthoud then assembled in Paris, in 1806, by his pupil, Jean Martin, the Chronomètre FB1 – Oeuvre d'Or lavishes new decorations on the very first watch by Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud. The gold dial is hand-patinated with line engraving. Turning the watch over reveals the collection's first pyramid-motif decoration, cut free-hand with a graver across the three half-bridges. Last but not least, the sides of the white gold case are discreetly adorned with baguette diamonds, making this the first gem-set case from the brand. Beneath this new aesthetic, a tribute to a watchmaking legacy, lies a precision movement whose many technical tours de force include a tourbillon with a fusee-and-chain constant-force transmission.

HK Snob

Courtesy of FHH

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