Undercover...

The Maranez  Undercover is Maranez first quartz model. It features a compartment box under  the dial which is big enough to carry, for example  some tablets, folded bank notes, small usb sticks, sim cards or micro SD cards. Diameter of the compartment box is 34mm and it is 8mm deep. 

The watch comes fitted with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and 120 click bezel. C3 lume is applied on the dial and hands.

Basic specifications: 

Model: Maranez Undercover

Movement: Miyota quartz

Case diameter: 50mm including the crown - lug to lug 48mm - height 16.5mm - weight on rubber strap 137g

Case material: Blasted stainless steel

Crown: 6mm

Crystal: Sapphire with inner AR coating

Dial: Black  indices with Super Luminova C3

Water-resistance: 100m/330ft                                               

Strap: 22mm rubber strap.

Buckle:  stainless steel

Price: USD 179 for the blasted stainless steel and USD199 for the PVD version. 

For more information:

Maranez Undercover

The watch...

The PVD version...

The blasted stainless steel version..

Tudor North Flag

It looks like some news from Tudor for Basel 2015 have been leaked. It would be interesting on many facets. The watch, called the Tudor North Flag will be fitted with Tudor caliber MT5621. This is the first interesting information. Why? An in-house Tudor movement. 

Oh... the watch...

Photographs: watchawrist

I have to say that the watches looks good and features a power reserve indicator. Specs? 40mm steel case, 70 hours power reserve, non-magnetic silicon spring, display back (another first), WR 10 ATM and COSC rated movement. I like. 

So back to why it is interesting. Well, first, as noted earlier, in-house movement. Basically, Tudor first. Technically, not. The first in-house was a long time ago, during the time of the Tudor Oyster Prince, reference 7909 with the Tudor caliber 390. The caliber 390 is based on Fleurier 350. Rolex modified the movement and you have the Tudor caliber 390. 

So it would be the second right? Technically it would be the Tudor caliber 1475 that powers the Tudor Advisor reference 7926. Rolex modified the AS 1475 in terms of functions and finish. 

So its the Third? Well.... If we go the path of that German Swiss brand... Then we have the current Tudor Advisor with the in-house Tudor alarm module on an ETA2892... but I digress....

Anyway, what is important is that it is Tudor in-house movement. Great. Now comes the second interesting part. Would the movement fit in Tudor current offering like the Black Bay, Heritage Ranger and even the Pelagos? All you need is to remove the Power Reserve module. If yes, would that not put Tudor on the path to be a manufacture? 

When Tudor was 'relaunched' I remarked that it is on the same path as that Italian Swiss brand. But it seems 'Evolution' got in the way and it has sped up the process. It would be interesting to see what else Tudor have on offer for Basel 2015 and how it evolves from then on. 

What ever it does, it looks like my Tudor collection is expected to grow.... :)

Exploring... Taking a break

One of the places that I normally hang out when I am back home is BSC or Bangsar Shopping Center. It is not a big mall, but I like the place. One of the places I go to take a break is the Expresso Lab in Times Bookstore. 

Good cakes... The Crunchy Nutella Chocolate (explains why I am round).

The other place is Just Heavenly...

What else? Red Velvet...

For a friend, watch in a cup...

And for another friend... Highlighters... plenty... :)

Chrono Time off to service..

I finally got round sending my Tudor Chrono Time, reference 79280P for a service. I got this watch pre-loved and as with most watches that I get pre-loved, I will send them in for a service. This is basically because I don't know the service history of the watch and also to have the watch check for authenticity. 

The reference 79280P...

Since I was at the service center, I checked if I could get the steel bracelet for the watch. They had the reference 62490 in stock. This is the Jubilee version. The Oyster version is reference 78400. Back to the bracelet reference 62490. There are two versions, one with the fliplock and the other without the fliplock. I ordered the version without the fliplock. Price? USD 440 for the version without the fliplock and USD 525 for the version with. Cool.

Lume shot, pre and post

Pre service lume shot...

Post service lume shot...

So what happened? More soon.....

Interesting Times we live in...

It is indeed interesting times (pun not intended) that we live in, at least in the past few months....

It started with this....

Rolex fly off Singapore shelves

This was not limited to just Singapore but in Malaysia as well.

Then we have this...

Rolex to raise Japan watch prices after Swiss Franc soars

Rolex up the prices in Japan by as much as 8%.

Then came this shocker....

Patek Philippe reduces prices in Americas raises prices in Europe

All seems OK...

Fear of price jump in Swiss watches unfounded

Then we get this...

Officine Panerai drops prices Hong Kong 20percent combat Euro weakness

Indeed interesting times. 

Guess we will have to wait and see what happens in BASEL 2015.