Sunday, May 22, 2016

Should you buy the Rolex Deep Sea D-blue? Or should you go for the Deep Sea black?


To buy or not to buy. That is the question.
 

The Rolex Deep Sea D-blue, or the Rolex Deep Sea James Cameron Edition, debuted in August 2014 to commemorate James Cameron’s dive into the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench, in a one-man submarine called Deepsea Challenger.




The watch features a gradient blue-black dial, symbolizing the dive from the surface of the sea to the deepest part of the ocean. The letters “DEEPSEA” is in green, the same color as the submarine James Cameron was in.

 

The D-blue retails at around slightly more than 90k HKD in Hong Kong while the Deep Sea black retails at around 70k after discounts. So, the question is, whether it is worth it to pay a premium of 20k for the dial? Having owned both versions, I can only tell that each version has its own character.

 
I purchased the D-Blue after I owned the Deep Sea Black. The Deep Sea was, and remains to be an attractive watch to me and to those whose wrists are thick enough to carry the watch.
 





You can see how thick the watch is even on the wrist of David Beckham and Tiger Woods. Its 18mm thickness is one point that makes Asians hard to wear the watch in a good-looking way.

 

I do think that the thickness and the slightly out-of-proportion design can be a feature instead of a defect. While wearing the watch tightly, you can avoid it from swinging back and forth. I have seen people with skinny wrist looking good with the Deep Sea as they wear the watch tightly with the Glidelock clasp.
 



But, is the Deep Sea D-blue worth your money? My answer is positive. The Deep Sea black has one very obvious disadvantage, its color. When looking at it, you are almost looking at a big dull diver which is way thicker than a watch is supposed to be. It is almost an instrument.
 

However, the Deep Sea D-blue is way more colorful. The blue-black dial makes the ceramic bezel look more outstanding. You can enjoy different color shades on the dial under different lighting. It can be purple sometimes and it can be almost black sometimes. It is, with only a change of the dial, a completely different watch from the Deep Sea Black. It is way more fun to wear it.

 



On the wrist, the Deep Sea black gives you a more solid feeling as a professional diver. Its all-black dial gives you a very traditional taste of dive watches. The Deep Sea D-blue, on the other hand, due to the lighter color of the dial, feel a bit less serious, in other words, less dull. It is a watch you do not see a lot on the street. If you already have the Deep Sea Black, you might as well see it for the D-blue. If you do not have a Deep Sea Black, skip it and get a D-blue.


HK Watch Fever Group

Affordable versions of the Paul Newman Daytona?


Affordable versions of the Paul Newman Daytona?

Omega may be your answer. 

At HKWF, we at times recommend affordable versions of watches that carry super high prices.
 
In this first episode, we would like to talk about the Paul Newman Daytona 6263.
 


 
A Rolex Daytona 6263 “Paul Newman” can easily cost you over 300k to 900k HKD. It is one of the most desirable watches at auctions. The panda dial on the 6263 is one of the signatures of the so called “Paul Newman” dial with three black sub-dials on a while dial.
 


 
 
If you are looking for a watch with similar aesthetics, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch First Omega in Space may be your answer.
 
 
 
The name of the watch is quite long. At 39.7mm, the rose gold version is a numbered edition, meaning that it is not in limited production. The case is made of what Omega calls Sedna Gold. The panda dial looks terrific and its design is said to be inspired by a watch worn by astronaut Wally Shirra in 1962 during the NASA Sigma 7 mission.
 
 
 
 
 
The black ceramic tachymeter bezel complements very well with the panda dial in which an outer black ring surrounds the white dial on which three black sub-dials sit.
It does remind you of the Rolex 6263 doesn’t it? The movement inside is the manual-wound 1861 movement. The watch has a domed sapphire crystal. The rose gold version retails at around 130k HKD and HKWF offers you a good discount on this watch.
 
If paying over 100k for an Omega bothers you, let’s take a look at the stainless steel version, the Omega Speedmaster CK2998 Limited Edition watch.
 
 

 
This is the stainless steel version which basically retains all of the characteristics of the rose gold version. This watch will be produced in 2998 pieces. The bezel, the sub-dials and the chapter ring are all blue in color. The central chronograph second hand is now a lollipop hand. The bezel is in polished blue ceramic and the blue crocodile strap completes the looks.
 
 
The 2016 new release will retail at around 40k HKD. A bargain isn’t it? Given how nice looking the whole package is. 
Sometimes we can have our own fun without paying a premium for mega watches. These two Omegas will give at least half the fun as the Paul Newman Daytona but at much lower prices.
HK Watch Fever Group
 
 
 
 


Friday, May 20, 2016

A comparison of three dress watches, Chopard, Zenith and the IWC

A comparison of three dress watches: the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860, the Zenith Elite 6150 and the IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days.

From time to time at HKWF, we compare different watches for you. In this episode, we are comparing three dress watches from Chopard, IWC and Zenith.






 

The cases
 
At 42mm, the Zenith Elite 6150 is 2mm bigger than its two counterparts.
 
The lines of the case look a little fatter than the other two.
 
The IWC Portugieser Hand-wound Eight Days has a “thinner” case than the other two as the curves look more clean-cut than the other two.
 
The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 has the thickest bezel and all of the three watch cases are highly polished to a mirror finish.
 
The lugs on the IWC and the Chopard are more angular than the more classic lugs on the Zenith.
 
At 12 mm in thickness, the IWC is thicker than the Chopard, which is 7.2 mm thick, and the Zenith, which is 9.25 mm thick. The Zenith also features a dome-shaped crystal while the IWC crystal is slightly domed.
 


 
 
 
The dials
 
The dial on the Zenith has a silver tone and it has sunray pattern. The leaf-shaped hands and the markers are rhodium plated.
 
The Chopard has a silver-toned dial with sunburst satin-brush while the IWC has a white dial and Arabic numerals.
 
The Zenith’s second hand is at the center while the other two have their seconds sub-dial at 6 o’ clock.
 
The IWC has a date window at 3 o’ clock while the Chopard has its at 6 o’ clock. Worth noting is that the Zenith has no date window which makes it a purer classic.
 


 
 
The movements
 
The IWC features its in-house 59215 manual-wound movement and it provides a power reserve of eight days.
 
A power reserve indicator is located at the case back which can be seen through. All the plates are finished with Genève Stripes.
 
The Chopard features its in-house Calibre 96.01-L and its finishing is top-notch.
 
You will feast your eyes with a 22k gold micro rotor and well-polished plates and angles. Again, all the plates are finished with Genève Stripes and the movement has a 65- hour power reserve.
 
The Zenith Elite 6150 movement may not be the best decorated among the three, however, it provides you with a power reserve of 100 hours, which is approximately 4 days.
 
The price
 
The Chopard retails at around 80k HKD in stainless steel.
 
The IWC retails at around 70k HKD and the Zenith retails at around 60k HKD.
 
At HKWF, all three watches are available with good discounts.
Editor’s pick: The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860
Reasons: The finishing of the movement is simply incredible at this price point. The dial and the case are classic and simple. Plus, the thickness is only 7.2 mm which makes it perfect for a suit wearer. It is a watch with a lot of work and sincerity.
 
Jason L
HK Watch Fever Group
 
HK Snob

 


Thursday, May 19, 2016

Panerai PAM578



The latest special edition Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT from Panerai is quite special. 

 

This is due to the way the case is constructed.  Introducing the Panerai PAM 578 Lo Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio for SIHH 2016,  limited to only 150 examples.


PAM578 Skeleton Tourbillon In Titanium, is the lightest tourbillon in Panerai Series.

Only 9.5gm, only one piece available in Hong Kong,

Now HKD$1,098,000

HK Snob

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Introducing the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860


Chopard’s L.U.C collection is a tribute to watchmaker
Louis-Ulysse Chopard.

To celebrate the line’s 20th anniversary, Chopard has released the L.U.C XPS 1860 which includes two models, an unlimited edition in steel and a limited edition of 250 pieces in rose gold.

 



The rose gold version features a 40mm rose gold case which is made of Fairmined Gold. The dial is hand-guilloché with a radiating wave pattern. The case is only 7.2 mm thick and it features vertical satin-brushed sides, a polished bezel and case-back.





 
The watch might be thin, but there are a lot to admire with it see-through sapphire case back. The movement inside the watch is the Calibre 96.01-L, which is absolutely a stunner.

The movement features a 22k solid gold micro rotor. Its finishing is extremely well, with Geneva Stripes on all the plates, and beautifully polished bridges.
 
The circular graining and the swan-neck fine adjustment are also an eye candy. The movement bears the prestigious Geneve Seal and it is C.O.S.C certified. 
 
The movement provides 65 hours of power reserve with Chopard’s Twin technology (two barrels).
 
 
 
The stainless steel version has a different dial style. It features a silver tone dial with sunburst finish. Also, the movement bears no Geneve Seal and no swan-neck adjustment. However, the solid gold micro rotor remains and all the plates are well polished and adorned with Geneve Stripes.
 
 
 
 
So, the price. The rose gold version retails at around 160k HKD while the steel version retails at around 80k HKD.

Even though if you do not wear a dress watch a lot, this L.U.C XPS 1860 is offering you a lot in haute horology.

The finishing of the movement is just stunning with the 22k gold rotor. The dial has superb details and very legible. One small defect is the inclusion of the date window.
But that is also a practical move.
 
HK Snob
HKWF Group
Jason L
 
 

 

 
 
 

My new Traveling kit


 
Friends of mine knew about my loss of the card holder which contained 4 credit cards, HKID card and China Re-entry card as my wife threw away my ragged backpack with the card holder after my exhausted hiking. Of course she did not blame herself instead scolded me why I was so careless!
Moral of this message, Don't win the argument and lose the relationship!
 
 
Well, I just got my new HKID card and the Brand New credit cards.... My second ACM card holder is in service now.
 
I used to carry a Rolex leather passport holder, and some of the favourite Rolex DD OQ with me...when I travel.
 
 
HK Snob

IWC Yacht Club in 18KT gold on Sale





 


IWC YACHT CLUB Ref.811AD Ca.1966-67 

Model Yacht Club Ref.811AD automatic winding sunburst
dial in 18KT gold, 1967

Movement Automatic winding Cal.811A

Case SS 36 mm
   
Ref. No. :811A

Movement : Automatic
Case material: 18KT Yellow gold
Case Dia. 36mm
Case thickness:11mm
Glass:Plastic
Dial:Silver
Dial numerals: No numerals
Strap material: IWC crocodile quick change strap [unused] 

Condition:fine
Gender:Men's watch/Unisex    

Price :HK$2XXXXX 
 

HKWF Comment
I heard that it was totally produced 40,000 between  
1966-1976, and approx. 10% in both gold versions.
Likely only estimated 2,400 were made in 18 KT yellow gold. (6% )

The Yacht Club (I) came in many variations.
In the late seventies there was even one equipped with
the quartz calibre 2405. 

Size is 36mm is not small at all. 
It is highly collectible and is good for daily uses.
It is in gold and leather strap, so it can be used for younger persons.  

Price is less than half of the Rolex Submariner stainless
steel watch…It is a Gold IWC!
 
HK Snob  

PS Watch Sold 28 May 2016          

 

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Rolex Day Date Ref.18038 birch dial



Rare Day Date Ref.18038  in birch dial.
It comes with original bracelet and warranty
You will be amazed and glad to own this watch with
merely HK$89,000.
Cash deal.

HK Snob

Panerai PAM786

 
 
For SIHH 2016 Officine Panerai has released another pair of watches that should have the Paneristi around the world wanting to purchase this second set! 

Introducing the Panerai PAM 786 Luminor 8 Days Set, a limited edition of 500.

We think the addition of the white dialed blue accented Daylight is quite striking and Panerai did a great job of making it look like the 1986 original. 

It should prove just as popular as the PAM 785 set.


Technical Specifications
PAM 786 Boxed Set- Limited to 500



PAM 786 Luminor Black Seal Left-Handed 8 Days
MOVEMENT: Hand-wound mechanical, P.5000 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai.

FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds.

CASE: 44 mm, steel with special hard black coating.

DIAL: Black, with luminous Arabic numerals and
hour markers. Seconds at 3 o’clock.


POWER RESERVE: 192H.

WATER-RESISTANCE: 30 bar (~300 metres).



PAM 786 Luminor Daylight 8 Days
MOVEMENT: Hand-wound mechanical, P.5000 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai.
 
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes,
small seconds. CASE: 44 mm, AISI 316L polished steel. DIAL: White, with blue Arabic numerals and hour markers
and luminous dots. Seconds at 9 o’clock.
 
POWER RESERVE: 192H.
 
WATER-RESISTANCE: 30 bar (~300 metres).
 
 
 

 
 
VVIP item, Now HKD$165,900 for whole set.
 
If you say you are Collector of Panerai... this one can be one of your next purchase.
 
HK Snob