ORIS X 4 = still doesn't come close to the price of an Oyster perpetual

It's been a looong while since my last post. 2016 has been a good year for watch acquisition or bad for my wallet. I think I must have averaged a watch for every month so far... Eeep! 😬 I have also lost count, in denial. In my defence these were what could be termed as affordable acquisitions. 

Hopefully... I only have one more watch that I'd like to get then it will be back to normal. At least normal in terms of long term saving up for another Rolex. But we all know how that can change 🙄.

Anyhoo, the subject at hand for the moment are...

It started with me lusting over the limited edition John Coltrane. Limited to 1,000 pieces to be exact. I have no idea what number mine is but I'm just pleased I managed to get one. Considering that it was originally released back in 2014 & I found one below retail price. It appeared like a display piece but at least in mint condition. What's not to like, that beautiful domed sapphire crystal, blue minute track, elegant hands & the leather strap with deployant (which I've replaced in the pic above with a pricey suede number from Hodinkee). All in a very dress friendly 38mm size.

These next two pieces were, well... I just couldn't decide which one! Both are discontinued Divers 65 models. It's the smaller 40mm size as opposed to the more conventional looking (although no less handsome looking, uh oh!) current model in a larger 42mm. The Deauville blue & grey dial is on the bracelet whereas the gloss black dial on tropical rubber strap. Both adding to its rather vintagey aesthetic. Further enhanced by the domed sapphire crystal again. Note that I'm in love with the 6 o'clock date location. Symmetry perfection. 

Last but not least, my latest precious (they are all precious, mind you), this elegant looking Thelonious Monk is another limited edition piece of only 1,000. Original strap, again, swapped to maintain its pristine condition. The 40mm size looks a tad big in the image above but it wears quite nicely in the flesh. It lacks a second hand but that's not so important in a dress watch plus the gorgeous dial makes up for it, with the smoky blue sunburst effect & subtle applied minute markers. The 21mm lug width is odd, but at least it means my Orient Bambino will now have more shared strap options in the future!

Fingers crossed, my infatuation with Oris will be quelled with these quartet. Although the current model Divers 65 & 41mm Big Crown pilot caught my eye, they're not something I'm lusting after at the moment. That is currently being taken by another discontinued model from Sinn 356 Flieger. The basic model with the period correct acrylic crystal. In the mean time, having some fun with NATO straps!

Turtle 🐢

In keeping with doing things in pairs... Acquired the Seiko SRP775 to compliment the SKX009. This is what the Pepseikola should have been, hacking and manual winding enabled. I also like the gold & gilt look. There's only one drawback with the turtle, it's heavy with the "omega like" bracelet. I need to try it on a NATO strap. Now when is that bond strap going to arrive! For the time being, enjoy that massive lume! 

2016 and what's better than a Speedmaster?

Belated happy New year to all.

2016 started off with a bang! 1st watch to be acquired was none other than the undisputed 1st watch on the moon...

I give you, the Omega Speedmaster Professional with the manual winding Lemania movement. I will be the first person to admit that I am not a big fan of chronograph style dials. Mostly because of the busy look of the dial making it hard to see the main hands. This is not the case with the Speedmaster. The contrast between the dial and main hands is so distinct that the main hands seems to pop out.

This time piece looks good for both formal and casual wear. I especially like the look of the "Speedy" on the included NATO strap. The standard bracelet wears very comfortably too even though I'm not a particular fan of the shiny insert between the outer and center links. Sadly my profession doesn't require me to wear a space suit as I'd love to use the velcro strap too.

One of the main reason why I love the Speedy so much is the fact it looks so vintage. It looks practically the same as the original. From the distinct design features to the bubble like sapphire crystal. It helps also that there are so many subtle details for you to discover as you peruse and fondle over it. Oooerrr.

Beautiful to look at both the front and rear business ends. For 42mm it doesn't wear as big like the Tudor Black Bay.

So what's better than a Speedmaster? Besides a Rolex that is...

Two of them of course! 

Now how did that happen? Youze tell me! The short of it was, someone wanted to consolidate, I said if and when you want to let go of your Speedy let me know. Now was the response, so yours truly zoomed off to the ATM to seal the deal before he changed his mind!

Two is better than one. Especially if they're the same but different. I won't bore you with more details other than it's the "Tintin"... Nuff said.

It's been a while

Just a little post to status update.

I pulled the trigger on a Tudor Heritage Black Bay Black (BBB). Always wanted one in the burgundy red bezel but when this was introduced recently... It was a tough decision.

Looks good formally & casually.

Thanks again to Kambo for his "VIP" input! Jangan jara, mana tau ada lagi ;-D

Funny story that...

Eyeaaah... Not funny haha but funny hmm. Remember my last post... Funny thing that. How things transpire to completely go in the opposite direction of what you intend to do, under the premise of buying the perfect birthday gift for oneself, came the search for a more "dressier" watch. Before I go any further let me show some images as preliminaries to what eventually ensued. 

A Seiko has excellent finish & movement, but it's always a case of acquiring something with the head (by that I mean the Cerberus & not the penile kind) and not the heart. Therefore with sensibilities still in mind & a pocket full of greenbacks, a Rolex DateJust would be a more interesting acquisition. Or so I thought. Having seen both the 36mm & 41mm, I've come to the conclusion that (for me at least) it's either too small (see pic above, it looks dainty to me) on the 36mm, or too large (no small part due to the thicker bezel & lugs) on the 41mm. What a shame, the model with the champagne dial is exceptional. Has an instant vintage vibe to it. 

So my fantasy of reliving the DateJust my dad had (albeit with white dial) was not to come to fruition. The DayDate at 40mm with well proportioned lugs & smoothed casing wears so much nicer. Sadly, the pocket of wads was only a fraction of what is required to gain entry in to the world of the "president" let alone the issues of wearing gold on the grounds of faith & not forgetting the sheer heft of precious metal. My ultimate Rolex would have been a yellow gold DayDate with gold dial. 

So we move on to the synonymous Rolex, the Submariner no date. A handsome devil but as I currently already own two dive watches (even though they are both not in the same league as a Sub), the Cerachrome bezel, 904L stainless steel & blue lume seems not enough reasons to justify adding it to my collection (at least for now...), when compared to the cons of the dial looking too similar to my GMT, sharp edges & the thicker lugs. Admittedly the black cerachrome looks sharp, and seeing it on a Sea Dweller I was seriously contemplating it in my head. The lugs looks better proportioned but the only niggle, which is a major issue, is the way the case back is designed a little bulbous making it sit too high on the wrist. Had it been a Sub with a green bezel & green dial, I shudder to think if I dared to scrape the piggy bank to make it mine! 

We finally arrive to the darling that came home with me. This wasn't even in the immediate radar like the sea dweller but the opportunity presented itself and after seeing that Z-blue dial (which can only be described as the most amazing vintagey sun-burst blue color with a hint of green, which has to be seen to be appreciated & believed), the more agreeable proportions and most importantly, a price that is hard to pass up. The fact that it looks different from any of my current watches, has that funky orange second hand & green sapphire crystal, the deal was set even before money exchanged hands, and needing additional top up!

So there you have it. A perfect example of how plans can change with the introduction of an "unforeseen outlier". Many thanks to Mr VIP aka Kambomambo for conceding 1st choice to me on account of my birthday and all. Remember, that is the small event that caused all this hoopla. The Millgauss (no special name christening as yet) marks my 1st ever brand new Rolex. The GMT Master II being the 1st Rolex but pre-owned, which I still adore btw. I wonder how long I can last till the next itch comes along...

Setting my sights for the next wrist adornment

As much as I'd love to get my hands on a Tudor Pellagos or an Omega Seamaster .... (Too many to choose from). The price of admission is not something I can simply throw caution into the wind like certain individuals. Forget about another Rolex, a DateJust is no longer entry level. Even a lowly Oyster Perpetual cost more than a Tudor. Second hand? Forgetaboutit! Rolex resell values, go figure! Need to get lucky again for that one. Even waiting for annual bonus is not in the cards anymore with a pitiful 1/2 month payout. More likely it will go to "not so mini me"'s education expenses. 

So where do we (me) go from here? I've looked at all manner of "homage" replicas. They are interesting and looks handsome, especially a Steinhart, but ultimately it's not the real thing. There is an interesting Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 600. Looks less of a homage piece, nice shiny ceramic bezel (especially in red surprisingly. Also available in black, green or blue color). Bit of an unknown quantity though, plus it's kind of massive for my slightly under 7" wrist. How about a citizen? Bleh, not my style. Or a Diving sports automatic from Orient? Mmmm... It looks great but I'd rather have something with a hack / manual winding movement. If the "Pepseikola" pure automatic movement is anything to go by, it can drive me up the wall having to, for want of a better description, "Wank" it into life & charge it "vigorously". Not something I'd like to do in public. Somebody exclaimed Grand Seiko? Seriously, have you seen the prices? I might as well go for a Tudor for that kind of money. An in-house Swiss calibre carries more cachet.

Not touching fakes. Might as well buy a quality established brand. Maybe I should broaden my sights beyond a sports watch. A dress watch in a similar vein to a DateJust. Longiness perhaps? Emm nothing really pops out other than something with a perpetual calendar. Cost serious money though, plus you'll always be comparing it to the real kahuna Patek Philippe. I'd probably can't live with a leather strap either. Hey, look at the Tag Heuer F1 with a rubber strap, it's hardly getting any wrist time at all. I want... need, a quality steel strap / bracelet. 

Just when I thought I'm going nowhere, something caught my eye. It ticks all the right boxes except for one niggle, which really shouldn't be one. Here's a clue, 6R15. That's all I'm going to say for now. Need more research & dwell time to see if it really is the one, not to mention available for physical scrutiny before purchase.

Random musings

That Tudor Palagos is looking more & more tasty every time I see it. Wouldn't mind the one in blue to match the blue lume. Doesn't look too big, should've tried it on. How much is it again...? Now that Black Bay with red bezel also looks smart :-\