HOROLOGY CRAZY

CNY GTG

2012-01-28T11:14:00.000+08:00

Had a small GTG (Get ToGether) with a couple of friends yesterday. It was a great meeting, learning from them and seeing some watches I have not seen before.

Watches on the table.

The watches that I have not seen before but were glad to see, the Ennebi, the DeepSea, the Damasko and the PAM00219. I have to say that I am pretty impressed with the DeepSea, having a great presence as with the Ennebi. It is a large watch but very light since it has a titanium case.

As for the PAM00219, well, I like the watch. It is a Destro after all. What else it there to say.

The Damasko? Well small as it is, it feels quality all over. It feels tough, although it does not look it.

IWC Year of the Pilot

2012-01-26T03:09:00.000+08:00

I like the IWC pilot watches, have always liked them and always will. I liked them so much that I had two in my collection, the Mk. XV and Mk. XV Spitfire Special Edition. Sadly I gave them up as they were 'small' on my wrist, being 38 mm in diameter.

This year, 2012, is the year of the pilot watches. If I remember correctly, the last time IWC 'redid' their pilot watches, it was 2006. It was the year IWC decided to streamline and standardise the pilot watches. Again, this year, IWC have decided to streamline the collection and update the line. You can read more about the watches here:

IWC Pilot Watches

There are a couple of watches in the new line-up that caught my eye:

The new Mk. XVII, reference 3265. The watch has grown, now it is 41 mm in diameter (2 mm larger). I like the new size and I also like the fact that IWC did not enlarge the date font size to cope with the new size. I like the direction taken in enlarging the date window to show the date before and future and making it look like the dial of an altimeter.

The case back.

The new Big Pilot. I love the Big Pilot watch, more so the reference 5002 which came out in 2002. The reference 5004 came out in 2006 and now we have the reference 5009. I am not too sure what are the major difference between the reference 5004 and the 5009, but one of the thing I read is that IWC have improved on the winding stem design to prevent or reduce the likelihood of stripping the threads. I will update on this once I learn more.

The new Big Pilot Top Gun, reference 5019. A real big watch at 48 mm (2 mm larger than the BP) with the new zirconium oxide case. I like this watch. I especially like the seconds hand with the red aircraft silhouette.

The case back with the TOP GUN logo.

The new Big Pilot Top Gun Mirama. I am still out on this model. Have to see it in real life. I do find the dial design interesting as it is reminiscent of the B-dial of the B-Uhr watches on the 40s.

The case back with the more discrete Top Gun logo.

Photographs: IWC

I am sure IWC will do well with the new updated Pilot collection.

Patina (Week 9)

2012-01-23T19:47:00.000+08:00

It is interesting to see the development of the patina on the watch after just a few days back home. Looks like the temperature, humidity and overall environment have an impact on the watch.

The difference in average temperature is about 10 degrees (Celsius) and it is more humid. Also, I believe the overall temperature difference during the day (sunny in the day and heavy rain in the evening) have an impact on the watch.

Overall the case is now darker. The darkening of the case was more noticeable in the past 3 days.

The 'reddish' patina is all but gone, I believe due to the darkening of the case.

More spots, also darker spots.

The dark spot at the bottom of the case getting bigger and bigger. The growth was accelerated by the local environment.

I like the direction the patina is developing.

Again the case. Darker and darker. I believe the increase in usage also help in making the case darker and darker.

I will be home for about a week. I can't wait to see how the patina will develop over the week.

Rolex Explorer II

2012-01-23T19:32:00.000+08:00

I had a chance to 'molest' the Rolex Explorer II reference 216570 white dial over the Chinese New Year. I had the opportunity to look at the watch, both the black dial and white dial earlier but perhaps because I was on the streamlining phase, I was not really interested.

Now that the streamlining is over, and I have to chance to really look at the watch, I have to say that I do like the watch. I like the fact that it 42 mm in size and it has the new maxi dial and hands. I do prefer the white dial although some may prefer the the black dial with the 'floating' hands.

There are other reasons I like the watch, for example the case is still much like the older watch and is similar with the older Rolex case design. I like the fact that the bracelet does not have the polished center link of the GMT Master II Ceramic. I like the GMT Master II Ceramic but I wished that the case was 42 mm instead of 40 mm as it does make the lugs looks a bit 'thick' and the watch 'squat'.

The Explorer II reference 216570.

The GMT Master II reference 116710LN.

Photographs: Rolex

Will be away

2012-01-19T21:58:00.001+08:00

I will be away for the Chinese New Year but I hope to continue posting. Anyway, wishing all my readers, friends and family a

GONG XI FATT CAI

Panerai to expand

2012-01-19T10:15:00.000+08:00

News from SIHH 2012:

GENEVA--Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA's Officine Panerai brand will invest heavily in new boutiques and production in the next year, its chief executive said Wednesday.

The brand, which typically sells watches for about EUR16,000, will add another 15 boutiques by the end of March 2013 to the 33 it already has.

"We are changing our distribution, reducing wholesale and increasing the retail because we are confident retail will be a part of our future," Angelo Bonati told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview at the Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie show in Geneva.

"The new boutiques will improve our sales for sure, but they will also improve our image. Image is more important than sales, especially at the beginning because image produces sales."

Bonati declined to reveal what the current balance was between retail and wholesale revenue for Panerai, but said selling through its own branded boutiques is more profitable.

Four of the new boutiques will be in Asia--in Bangkok, Shanghai, Macau and Hong Kong--with one in Sao Paolo, Brazil. There will also be four more set up in the Middle East and three in North America, with the location of the remainder still to be decided.

"If you don't have your own retail in Asia you are nothing," said Bonati.

The company will also start building a factory in Neuchatel, Switzerland, in March, which will enable it to increase production and improve efficiencies.

Panerai will be recruiting extra staff for the new factory, which is likely to replace an existing plant in the city when it opens at the end of 2013. The company employs 130 people in production, but this could be increased to 300, Bonati said.

Richemont doesn't release sales results by brand, but Bonati said 2011 had been one of the best years for Panerai.

He said he still expected sales growth in 2012, but declined to give figures. "Europe is weak, the U.S. is weak, but Asia is still strong," he said.

News: Courtesy of WSJ.

Wonder what happen to the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Boutique?

Ted Su Dive Strap

2012-01-18T15:44:00.000+08:00

I got this strap the other day but due to the excitement of SIHH 2012, it never got posted. To set things right, here it is.

I got this strap pre-loved but still in good condition. Hence the time taken for it to get to me. You have to remember that I am in Taiwan where the strap is made by Ted Su. I have to say that it is one of the most 'butch' strap that I have. The strap itself is made of fabric (?), but it is the buckle that makes the strap. It is one awesome work of engineering.

The strap.

The buckle. Very well made and I love the brushed finish.

Ted has a background in Engineering and is a machinist by trade and it shows in the buckle.

I can only think of one watch in my collection that deserves the strap, the PAM00243. It is the most 'butch' watch I have in my collection. It is currently fitted with a strap from Wotancraft.

Not anymore.

I have to say that it matches the watch well. I would fit this strap on the larger and 'tougher' watches or even instruments in the Panerai range like the PAM00193. But it already comes with it's own buckle like the one Ted produces.

For more information:

Ted Su

Panerai website updated

2012-01-17T20:14:00.002+08:00

Finally the Panerai website is updated with the 2012 novelties.

Main site:

Panerai

The 2012 Novelties:

2012 Novelties

You can download the complete (pdf) 2012 catalogue from the site. There are some new watches, on top of what was reported earlier and some have been removed and some earlier thought discontinued are back.

Some that sneaked in....

PAM00388. Looks like the old Radiomir Automatic, but now minus the cyclops.

New, 42 mm Luminor.

PAM00392.

PAM00393.

PAM00421. Radiomir (47 mm) get GMT.

PAM00439. 42 mm Radiomir with Faux Patina.

Photographs: Panerai

Patina (Week 8)

2012-01-17T16:44:00.000+08:00

What with SIHH 2012, I seem to have forgotten about my patina post. Here it is.

You can see some 'patches' on the bezel. These developed over the past week. Looks like the more I use the watch, the faster the patina develops.

Overall, the patina is getting darker and darker. The red patina on the bezel is 'growing'.

The spots or patches on the bezel. You can also see some developing on the flange between the bezel and the case.

Rubbing marks around the crown becoming more prominent.

A spot that is lighter as compared to the rest of the case. Jupiter in the making? :)

Panerai Novelties 2012

2012-01-16T20:47:00.000+08:00

12 new watches. A spectacular release indeed. At the moment my wallet hates me. Of well, on with the show. From Panerai press release.

PAM00395 SE.

PAM00396. A regular production Tourbillon. How cool is that.

PAM00398 SE.

PAM00399 SE. I like this piece but it is out of my league.

PAM00422. Good news, it is not an SE.

PAM00423.

PAM00424. Nice, a regular production cali dial.

PAM00425. Another regular production model. I like this one as well.

PAM00438.

PAM00441. The leather strap version of the PAM00438.

PAM00448 SE. Simply beautiful.

PAM00449 SE. What else is there to say. Just like the PAM00448, simply beautiful.

Photographs: Panerai.

12 watches of which 5 are Special Edition. My personal favourite? PAM00425, PAM00448 and PAM00449.

SIHH 2012

2012-01-16T13:50:00.000+08:00

Few more hours to go to SIHH 2012. All the excitement and what will be there for 2012. Sadly I am not there so as with those who are not there, Google is my best friend. 1 1/2 hours to go.....

Banjo Clock Stamp

2012-01-14T00:43:00.000+08:00

One of the things I use to collect when I was younger, many many moons ago when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, was stamp collecting. I have since moved on to collecting something cheaper. :)

However, one of my children have decided to start collecting stamps and thus continuing the family tradition (starting from my dad). One of the stamps we got recently was an American stamp with a clock on the face. Interesting.

I did some research and found out the stamp was issued in 2003 (January 24). On the face of the stamp is an artistic rendering of the face of a banjo clock made in 1805 by Simon Willard of Roxbury, Mass. The clock was for home use but soon found its way into schools and offices all over America.

The clock in the stamp depicts the cloak's painted iron dial, Roman numerals hour markers and a keyhole (between 1 and 2 o'clock).

The stamp.

You can read more about it here:

Banjo Clock

Red Army Watch and Azimuth Watch Promotion

2012-01-12T19:20:00.000+08:00

Red Army Watches is having an exhibition at it's boutique in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Red Army Watches Boutique, located at Level 4, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is having a Dragon Deal Promotion in collaboration with Azimuth Watches.

Details of the promotion:

11 to 15 January at Red Army Watches Boutique.

Photograph: Red Army Watches

I like the Azimuth Bespoke Round 1 "The Dragon" watch. I suspect it is in line with the coming year of the Dragon (according to the Chinese Zodiac).

Heroic18

2012-01-11T13:22:00.000+08:00

One of the straps arrived. It is this one.

It is a strap from Heroic18. It is made of Italian leather.

I like it for various reasons.

This is the main reason. The sub buckle.

Well made and finished buckle.

Thick Italian cocoa strap (4 mm) with copper stitching.

Signed tip.

The sub buckle. Since it has a sub buckle, the only watch it can be fitted on is....

Yes, this one, the PAM00390. Why? Because it has the 'pig' on the case back. The before photograph, fitted with a Wotancraft.

Now with the new strap. I think it matches the watch well.

A wrist shot.

However this may be short lived as I have the following strap on order and I think it will be a better fit. Which strap? No, not the Ted Su but the Museum Exhibit Special Edition (10 pieces?) from Steve and Simona. From what I understand, these are 'extra' from the straps commissioned by the Italian Naval Museum to replace the old straps of their Panerai exhibit.

More photography experiment

2012-01-11T11:51:00.000+08:00

This time it is the turn of the Casio Diver from the MD-703 series. I just love these old divers.

The titanium ion coating on the case and bezel. Also trying the macro/ micro shots.

The shroud covering the rotating bezel.

The pair, MD-703S-7Av in front and the MD-703-1AV in the back.

Learning and playing with depth of field.

Patina (Week 7)

2012-01-09T20:34:00.000+08:00

Nothing much to report other then the patina seems to develop at an even finish across the watch. Perhaps I am not wearing the watch enough or perhaps it is the cold weather. Who knows. Anyway, on to the photographs.

The tip or lip of the bezel has a distinct copper colour.

Excuse the white particles. Dirt.... :) There are some marks on the lugs.

Along the edge of the case, circular patina lines can be seen developing. I suspect this is along the circular brushing or finish of the case.

A couple of water spots on the bezel.

The even patina (darkening) of the case.

A couple of black spots have developed between the case and the case back. Hope it is not dis-similar metal corrosion.

Marks on the inside of the lugs.

Mr. Jean Claude Biver retires as CEO of Hublot

2012-01-07T23:54:00.000+08:00

Official announcement from Hublot:

All of us at Hublot are very pleased to inform you that Mr. Ricardo Guadalupe, former Managing Director of the Company, and personal friend of Mr. Jean Claude Biver with whom he has been working since nearly 20 years, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer effective January 1st 2012.

This step was planned a long time ago in consideration of Mr. Guadalupe's significant and instrumental achievements together with Mr. Jean Claude Biver since joining Hublot in 2005.

Mr. Jean Claude Biver will continue to serve Hublot as the company's Chairman of the Board, and as in the past give his precious insights into business strategy and product development. As the official spokesperson of Hublot, Mr. Biver will also coordinate communications activities with the press, collectors as well as trade and industry.

"There is a time for learning, a time for doing, a time for handing over, and a time for moving on. I've happily made it safe and sound to the hand-over stage. With the gratification of being able to hand over to a friend and colleague of more than twenty years. And happiness at the prospect of remaining part of the team on matters relating to strategy, products and corporate relations."

Jean-Claude Biver

Mr. Biver and Mr. Guadalupe (right).

Photograph: Hublot

OT Little yellow submarine

2012-01-07T20:40:00.000+08:00

My 'collection' of little yellow submarines is getting larger and larger. I now have 3 yellow submarines. I got this today. It is made from Lego bricks but have been 'customised' by a local Taiwanese company called 'Enjoy The Bricks'.

The submarine started life as a necklace but it has been modified to a key chain. So please excuse the crystals on the submarine.

Since it was originally designed as a necklace, the crystal is only on one side of the submarine.

Actually I cannot tell you why I am collecting little yellow submarines, maybe it is the song, maybe I just like little yellow submarines.

Still learning, more photographs...

2012-01-05T17:50:00.000+08:00

This time I am trying to capture the different case back design on the Panerai watches that I have. I think I need to adjust the way the light lights up the case back. Anyway, here they are.

PAM00000.

PAM00003.

PAM00111.

PAM00183.

PAM00337.

PAM00092. One of the most beautiful case back in the collection.

PAM00390.

PAM00367. The logo is different from the logo on the PAM00000.

PAM00243.

Some Seiko love

2012-01-04T16:01:00.000+08:00

These are some old Seiko watches that I have lying around. I plan to have them serviced, eventually. In the mean time, they are the 'victim' of my photography learning curve.

Seiko reference 6119-6023.

Seiko reference 6319-8040.

The Year of The High-Flyers

2012-01-04T13:52:00.000+08:00

This will be an interesting SIHH 2012 as IWC will be updating their Pilot watch range. You can read the story here:

The Year of The High-Flyers

It will be interesting to see what IWC will be doing to the Big Pilot and the classic MK series. From the article, the MK XVII will be larger at 41mm, an increase of 2mm. I can't wait.

Sneak peak...

The IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Miramar.

Photographs: IWC

More straps....

2012-01-04T13:37:00.000+08:00

Starting out the new year with more straps. I have these straps in-coming. Can't wait to get them.

From Heroic18, the Italian Aged Cocoa with copper stitching with Submarine IV buckle. I think this one will go well with the PAM00390 as it (PAM00390) has the 'submariner' on the case back.

The buckle.

Photographs: Heroic18

The other strap I have in-coming is from Ted Su. It is the popular dive strap and with the large buckle. This one will go on to the PAM00243I. A 'butch' strap for a 'butch' watch.

Photograph: Ted Su

I will report more when these straps arrive.

More photograph attempts....

2012-01-03T16:14:00.000+08:00

Here are a bit more. The 'victim' this time is my Montblanc Timewalker Big Date. Difficult to capture the beautiful brown dial and I don't think I did in these photographs.

Love the Big Date complication.

The thin green line.... :)

New Year Resolution.....

2012-01-03T15:34:00.000+08:00

So the new year is here and all of us would have made our resolutions. I have also made some. One of the resolutions I have made is to try and improve the photographs in the blog. To achieve that, I have decided to read up more on photography, focusing on watch photography, macro photography and street photography (but that is a different story).

Anyway, these are my attempts at trying to improve on the quality of the photographs in the blog. This is a learning process and yes, I was a tad careless by not cleaning the watch before I shot these photographs. So excuse the swirly lint in the center of the watch. :)

What do you think?

Camera:

Nikon D300 with Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm

Flash:

Nikon Speedlight SB-800

Settings:

ISO as low as possible

Aperture priority

Handheld

All comments and tip welcomed.

The return?

2012-01-01T21:58:00.000+08:00

You may remember that I had a Breguet Type XX Transatlantique which I gave up for a Panerai PAM00000. The thing is, I still like the Breguet. I do miss the watch. Anyway, this watch is currently available, the Breguet Type XX Aeronavale reference 3807ST. I am so tempted to get it.

The watch.

I like the watch for a number of reasons, it is a Breguet, it is a Limited Edition (2005?), it has a beautiful blue dial, it is an Aeronavale, and where do I stop. Well, we will have to see how this one turns out.