Colours, colours everywhere.....

The people at Christopher Ward has indeed been busy and new for the start of the year is colours, colours, colours. For a start, they have new colours for their popular C60 Trident Automatic collection of watches. On top of the standard black, khaki and charcoal bezel of their earlier offerings, they have now introduced blue and orange. And let me tell you that the colours are electrifying. 

The basic specifications have not changed. The watch is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement and comes in at 42mm in diameter. The depth rating is still an awesome 30 ATM. And best of all, the watches are still individually serialised. 

For more information:

Christopher Ward

The new colours......

I like the matching leather strap. 

Photographs: Christopher Ward

Watch Shopping in Malaysia Part 11

This is a new mall in the suburban area of Kelana Jaya in Petaling Jaya, Selangor Malaysia. The mall is called The Paradigm Mall and it was a very interesting mall. Lots to see and do. 

Anyway, on with the shops.......

The first shop is called AMEX TIMEPIECE. It carries the usual standard shopping mall brands, i.e. Casio, Seiko, Alba, among others. 

City Chain. You find them in most malls in Malaysia. Usual house brands and popular brands are their main offering. Brands include Seiko, Cyma, Casio, Police, fcuk among others. 

Cerruti 1881 boutique. Need I say further....

America Watch. They carry some high end brands like Rado, Tissot, Raymond Weil and you can find a nice selection of Seiko GS here as well. 

G-Factory. Casio G-Shock. 

60 minutes. Interesting name for a watch shop. Again the usual fare, Oris, Casio, Seiko and a few other brands. 

All in all, not too bad a place if you are looking for watches. 

Oris BC 3 SART Air Racing Silver Lake

Oris has released a new limited edition watch in the Oris BC3 Air Racing Silver Lake. The reference is 01 735 7641 4184-SET and is limited to 1,000 pieces. The watch is typical of the new Oris BC 3 design and is a part of a series of watches dedicated to the Oris Air Racing Team and its participation in The Reno Air Race. 

The unique aspect of the watch is the display window at the 9 o'clock position. You can opt to display the day of the week or different view of the plane Oris use in the race. Now how cool is that. The 50 minute marker is rendered in red and yellow to reflect the start number and the aesthetics of the plane. The watch also features a specially engraved case back and serialised limited edition number.

The watch comes in at 42mm and is powered by Oris automatic caliber 735 (based on the Sellita SW220) and is water resistant to 10 ATM. 

The watch.....

The solid case back with the special engraving.

The display at the 9 o'clock position, currently showing the plane Oris uses in the race.

The watch comes in a nice presentation set with an extra rubber strap.

Photographs: ORIS

As luck would have it, I managed to see the watch during the holidays. I have to say it is a nice watch and was very tempted to get it. I have always like the BC 3 range from Oris. 

The dial is very balanced with the display at the 9 o'clock and the BC S.A.R.T. legend at the 3 o'clock position.

A different view of the plane at the 9 o'clock display window. 

The day display. The date is displayed at the 6 o'clock position. 

Apologies for the poor quality of the photographs. 

Yet another book....

I picked this book up over the CNY holidays, yes been a busy busy boy..... Another book on watches. The book, Watches, Eye on the Time, is written by Tessa Paul, which is interesting since the author is a lady. Don't get me wrong, but it is difficult to find ladies interested in watches, and more so since the book covers mostly men watches. 

The book is pretty interesting, having read a couple of pages. Lots of nice photographs, covering vintage watches to modern timepieces. The book basically covers the development of the watch from 1900 to 2010. There are also articles covering the history of some of the more popular brands, brief but sufficient. 

The book....

The ISBN: 978-1-906969-07-3

OT Photography

Was back for the CNY holidays when I stumbled on this magazine. I thought it was some tips on how to photograph watches, but it turned out to be something more useful. 

Never heard of the guy, Ming Thien, shows that I have been living under a rock..... but after looking at his photographs and blog..... 

Something to aspire to be one day........

Ming Thien Blog

CNY GTG

Chinese New Year is a great time for a GTG. Well, anytime is a great time for a GTG. So we had one. Lots of interesting watches. Photography crappy, apologies extended....

Vintage moonwatch with caliber 861. I like....

Caseback without the 'Qualified for....'. I like it more....

Lovely, just lovely....

Helson Blackbeard, all lume version. Nice.

Like the skull...

Well made. 

I really like this watch.... (really)...

The Ennebi Fondale reference 9660-100.

Some vintage love....

Rotation, homage month

Well, the next few months will be a busy time for me as I will be moving about. As such, most of my watches have been put into cold storage. :( 

That leaves me with these watches that will be my rotation in the coming months. Looks like it will be a homage month for me. :)

MKII Stingray 50. This is a homage to the BP FF of the 50s. I do like this watch.

This was a surprise. I had a 'Benrus' reissue that I got in Japan, but I sold it off as the Tritium dials on the hands bothered me. Later while perusing one of the forums I frequent, I spotted this watch and ordered one. Was not suppose to get the watch until March, but a pleasant surprise that they manage to deliver it earlier. In fact, it was waiting for me when I got back from Chinese New Year holidays.

This is the DR Vietnam Type 1 Special Forces watch from drcustomwatch. It is a more accurate homage to the Benrus Type 1 Military watch. I like this watch.

Finally this watch. An unknown reissue. Evidently there is little information on this watch. Anyway it is a homage to the Seikosha Kamikaze watch from WWII. I like this watch as well.

The boys together...

Small GTG

The nice thing about Chinese New Year is the meeting of friends and family. Had an opportunity to have a small GTG, OK it was just 2 of us, but it was fun. 

The watches, cousins, not very far apart.....

There will be a bigger GTG soon. Hope to see some nice watches. 

Happy Chinese New Year

Wishing all a Happy Chinese New Year. May the year of the snake bring you great health and wealth.

AP 15300

This is a pictorial review of the AP 15300 Royal Oak. There is not really much to say about the watch that have not already been said. It is an amazing watch, beautifully made, super comfortable, powered by an amazing in-house movement, and best of all, the Gerald Genta Design.....

The reference 15300 has been discontinued and have been replaced by the reference 15400. The main difference? Size. The 15300 comes in at 39 mm, while the new reference 15400 comes in at 41mm. Of course if you think that at 41mm the reference 15400 is too big, you can get the reference 15450 which comes in at 37mm. 

Anyway, on with the pictures of the awesome reference 15300....

The dial... black? blue? Gray? 

Grand tapisserie pattern dial, just beautiful.

White gold hour markers, hands and the famous screws on the bezel. 

Finish? Just look at it. Satin brushed interspersed with glossy polished finish. What more can you ask for.

Sapphire crystal. WR to 5 ATM.

Again the beautiful Gerald Genta design and finish that only AP can do.

Closer view of the white gold screws. How did they get the slots on the screw head to align such?

The lack of protection shoulders around the crown that we commonly associate with sports watches. Satin brushed finish. 

The crown, screw down, easy to use and positive feel when wound and positive click when pulled out to quick set date and time adjustment positions. Just look at the attention to detail.

The integral bracelet is attached to the case via screws. 

The AP bracelet. A marvel in engineering. Well designed and made. Does not 'pull' hair when worn. 

The links to adjust length, also held by screws. 

The clasp. Nice. 

Opened. The two halves over laps each other, making it a very secure design. 

The 'AP' logo on the butterfly deployment. One on each half. 

The butterfly deployment. The 'AP' logo flows seamlessly into the design.

AP crowning glory, the caliber 3120, introduced in 2003. 

26.6 mm in diameter, 21,600 beats, 40 jewels and a power reserve of 60 hours. 

The bi-directional winding 22k rotor. Etched with the coats of arms of the Audemars and Piguet families. 

Edge bevelling...

 4.25mm flat, hacking and hand wind capable.

Just beautiful.

The secret revealed. The screws on the case back holds not only the case back to the case but also the screws we love on the bezel.

Sapphire crystal display back.

 The reference 15300, 39mm diameter, 10 mm thin. 

The satin brushed and glossy polished finish of the bezel. 

While gold hands and hour markers, very well made. 

There is no hiding that I do like the watch. Now, only if it was mine..... :(