Rolex Sea Dweller

I have been most fortunate to be able to see some of the different models in the Sea Dweller history recently. It started with the Sea Dweller reference 1665 Double Red. The watch was from 1971. Sadly I did not take a picture of the watch. Actually it was pretty silly of me for not taking a family  photograph.

Then I saw this..... the Great White reference 1665... I like this watch a lot. Not as much as the Double Red, but it is more affordable (really?).... Love the patina.....

Closer view of the watch face....

Sadly there were no reference 16660 for me to 'play' with. 

Anyway the new reference 116600 was there and here is a photo of my watch coupled with the 116600. The watches, side by side. The 116600 does look bigger, courtesy of the new 'fat' case. I am pretty happy that Rolex brought back the Sea Dweller. Somehow the reference 116660 never 'sang' to me. 

So what changed? Matte dial (lovely), ceramic bezel with Cerachrom insert, Chromalight for hands and hour markers (maxi dial and hands) and the much improved bracelet. The new bracelet features the Glidelock extension system and a flip lock extension link. 

Would I get the reference 116600? No, just because I have the reference 16600. It is very tempting though... :) For those who do not have the Sea Dweller.......

Looking at the Sea Dwellers models above, sometimes I am tempted to change and refine my collection and just focus on the Rolex Sea Dweller. It is after all my favourite Rolex watch (other then the ref 1675). 

More sigh....

More watches requiring battery change. OK, I promise that the next few posts won't be about how to change batteries. I will space them out. :)

The Swatch Boys...

Chronographs...

There are two complications that I like in watches, the first being dual time and the other being chronograph. For me, the dual time complication is answered by my GMT-Master ref 1675. That is my only mechanical watch with the dual time complication. I do have lots of watches with the dual time function that are battery powered, my main two being the Breitling Aerospace and the Omega X-33 Gen 1. 

As for the chronograph complication, I have these....

Omega Seamaster Professional.

Tudor Heritage Chrono Black.

Tutima Military Chrono.

Swatch Chrono Automatic.

Basically all these chrono watches have the register in the 6,9,12 layout (other than the Heritage chrono). I do not have one with the Tri-compax Mickey Mouse layout or the 3,6,9 layout. I use to have the Breguet Type XX Transatlantic, but no longer. 

As chance would have it, a good friend decided to let go of his Zenith Rainbow Flyback. Watch is in great condition and good price. So..... the rest is history. 

The watch. 

Don't have the watch as yet, hopefully soon. What is there not to like about the watch... Column wheel, flyback, chronograph, Mickey Mouse layout and best of all, it is a Zenith. 

The flyback in action....

Magrette Leoncino White

Hot on the heels of the soon to be released Magrette Leoncino (year end), comes a variation to the theme. Have to say that I like this version. Introducing the Leoncino White. It will be a limited edition of only 667 pieces. The specifications will be the same as the original Leoncino.

Magrette Leoncino

The watch....

Just for comparison, the black dial version....

Photographs: Magrette

For more pictures:

Magrette Leoncino White

Panerai prices..

These are the new 44mm Panerai fitted with Panerai in-house 8 days movement P.5000. Does this spell the end of the 44mm ETA based Panerai?

Anyway, the prices....

PAM00560 Luminor Base 8 Days Acciaio

NTD 235,000

740,000 Yen

PAM00561 Luminor Base 8 Days Aciaio

NTD 235,000

740,000

PAM00562 Luminor Base 8 Days Titanio

No price as yet in NTD

790,000 Yen

PAM00563 Luminor Marina 8 Days Acciaio

NTD 244,000

780,000 Yen

PAM00564 Luminor MArina 8 Days Titanio

NTD 259,000

830,000 Yen

Photographs: Panerai

Have to say that it is interesting to see these new models. I do like the PAM00562 as I like the brown sandwich dial. Tempting they are. 

Sigh...

Since I was changing batteries... might as well look at all the watches and see what other watches needs a battery change...

Thus far....

I am sure there will be more....

The Omega boys....

Lume shot of my Omega boys. The Seamaster 300 Chrono is not in as it has a Tritium lume plots and is no longer luminous...

The boys...

The lume shot...

Battery change, W10...

It is time for battery change..... This time it is my Precista W10 watch. This is not a detail step by step procedure. You can see some of the steps here...

Battery change CWC W10

The basic steps are the same. :)

My Precista 6bb watch.

Remove the NATO strap.

Gain access to the battery compartment cover. 

The new battery. 

The battery compartment and the cover. Don't forget to lubricate the gasket on the cover. 

The new battery in place. Check to make sure the battery works before you close up. 

Everything working. 

All done. :)

Monsters...

I just found out that the new Seiko Monsters have begun to trickle into Taiwan. 

Photograph: shamelessly borrowed from the Internet

The models being brought in are the SRP307J1, SRP311J1 and SRP315J1. Sadly the SRP309J1 or the new Orange Monster will not be coming into Taiwan. Maybe I will look for it in Japan when we go there in the second half of the year. 

My current collection of monsters...

Month end we will be in Bangkok. Who knows... maybe I will lucky enough to find this...

Seiko Zamba. A Thailand Limited Edition of 2,112 pieces. 

Photograph: shamelessly borrowed from the Internet

Antiquorum Auction

For those who are interested or fortunate enough to be at (physically or otherwise) the Antiquorum Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces Auction to be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, Sunday, May 11, 2014, it will be interesting treat with the number of awesome watches going under the hammer. 

There will be two sessions, Lots 1 to 121 at 1100 hours and lots 122 to 293 at 1400 hours. 

Some of the pieces going under the hammer.... (Rolex focused)

Ref 6202 Monometer.

Ref 5513 Submariner.

Ref 6238 Chronograph.

Ref 114060 Submariner "5510 Tribute".

Ref 5514 Comex Submariner.

I love this watch...

Ref 1675 GMT Master.

Just awesome...