I have heard great things about Seiko coming from seasoned and knowledgeable watch collectors.
I am hoping to get my first one a limited edition Monster. A few friends of mine have gotten this piece and I am hoping I can get my hands on one at retail price with discount. Seems to be a few dealers trying to sell it with an inflated price
Saturday, 20 July 2013
I don't get it at all about Panerai and power reserve indicators
I love Panerai and its watches but I always have one problem with some of their releases. Their watches are nice but sometimes lack in execution of certain features.
Take their latest release for instance
Panerai has just released their newest movement the P5000. It is a manual winding movement with 8 days power reserve. The 510 and 511 are the models which feature this new movement. The 510 is in stainless steel and the 511 is in rose gold. It has been known for sometime but finally released to the general public.
The thing I don't understand is why a Power Reserve indicator was not included. A power reserve indicator is useful especially for a 8 days movement because it gives the wearer an indication of when the watch needs to be wound again.
Panerai have gone down this road previous with the limited edition 339. It can be argued no PR indicator was included because it had a cool composite case and it would ruin the aesthetic beauty of the watch overall.
Time will tell if a P5001 movement will be released just like P3001 movement which has a PR indicator on the back.
Take their latest release for instance
Panerai has just released their newest movement the P5000. It is a manual winding movement with 8 days power reserve. The 510 and 511 are the models which feature this new movement. The 510 is in stainless steel and the 511 is in rose gold. It has been known for sometime but finally released to the general public.
The thing I don't understand is why a Power Reserve indicator was not included. A power reserve indicator is useful especially for a 8 days movement because it gives the wearer an indication of when the watch needs to be wound again.
Panerai have gone down this road previous with the limited edition 339. It can be argued no PR indicator was included because it had a cool composite case and it would ruin the aesthetic beauty of the watch overall.
Time will tell if a P5001 movement will be released just like P3001 movement which has a PR indicator on the back.
Friday, 12 July 2013
Update on things
Have been busy with Uni assignments and exams which are finally done for the semester. Still waiting on my Bronzo. The waiting game continues with that.
I didn't post on my blog that I dropped my Panerai 8 feet down the stairs and screwed the movement. Luckily that was the end of the problems and it got sent off for repair. Its fixed and I need to collect it. It has been missed and I am looking forward to getting it back on my wrist.
I didn't post on my blog that I dropped my Panerai 8 feet down the stairs and screwed the movement. Luckily that was the end of the problems and it got sent off for repair. Its fixed and I need to collect it. It has been missed and I am looking forward to getting it back on my wrist.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Rolex Teaser for BaselWorld 2013
Well Rolex has released a teaser on their website regarding their new release for BaselWorld. It shows a Triplock crown and a stainless steel bracelet (Assumed).
Speculation around is that it could be a 50th Anniversary of the Daytona with a ceramic bezel, or it could be a two colour GMT Master II
Well shall have to wait and see today.
Speculation around is that it could be a 50th Anniversary of the Daytona with a ceramic bezel, or it could be a two colour GMT Master II
Well shall have to wait and see today.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Book Review: A Grand Complication
I have just finished reading A Grand Complication by Stacy Perman.
It documents the story of two of America's greatest watch collectors in the 20th Century, Henry Graves Jr and & James Ward Packard.
Henry Graves Jr was a banker and James Ward Packard was an entrepreneur who was an innovator with lightbulbs and founder of Packard Automobiles.
They both shared a love of complicated mechanical timepieces featuring tourbillons, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and split seconds chronographs.
It was a friendly rivalry with both trying to obtain the most complicated timepieces from the prestigious houses of Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
In my opinion it is a very well written book, documenting the histories of both men, watchmaking and the constant love affair of watch collecting.
My thanks to Elizabeth Doerr, who first posted about this book and brought it to my attention.
It documents the story of two of America's greatest watch collectors in the 20th Century, Henry Graves Jr and & James Ward Packard.
Henry Graves Jr was a banker and James Ward Packard was an entrepreneur who was an innovator with lightbulbs and founder of Packard Automobiles.
They both shared a love of complicated mechanical timepieces featuring tourbillons, minute repeaters, perpetual calendars and split seconds chronographs.
It was a friendly rivalry with both trying to obtain the most complicated timepieces from the prestigious houses of Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
In my opinion it is a very well written book, documenting the histories of both men, watchmaking and the constant love affair of watch collecting.
My thanks to Elizabeth Doerr, who first posted about this book and brought it to my attention.
Basel World 2013: What I would like to see/my predictions
Well its that time of year again for the newest releases from the rest of the watch making world after SIHH.
Basel World is held this year from April 25 to May 2, 2013.
I am looking forward to seeing what Tag Heuer brings out since this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Carrera. If they make a 3 registered chrono based on the old school versions, I will be a happy chappy!
The famous Rolex Cosmograph is also celebrating its 50th. Rumours are floating around that the size will be increased from 40mm to 44mm. Hopefully it is the Stainless Steel that receives the upgrades. Going by past history of Rolex and its order of metals, it is a possibility. I do like a watch at 44mm but that only applies to Panerai for me. I would like the size to remain at 40mm, but would like to see a ceramic bezel and a dials that resemble the old Daytona's such as the Paul Newman and pre Daytona designation chronographs.
Its always an exciting time and will be looking forward to see all the new releases.
Basel World is held this year from April 25 to May 2, 2013.
I am looking forward to seeing what Tag Heuer brings out since this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Carrera. If they make a 3 registered chrono based on the old school versions, I will be a happy chappy!
The famous Rolex Cosmograph is also celebrating its 50th. Rumours are floating around that the size will be increased from 40mm to 44mm. Hopefully it is the Stainless Steel that receives the upgrades. Going by past history of Rolex and its order of metals, it is a possibility. I do like a watch at 44mm but that only applies to Panerai for me. I would like the size to remain at 40mm, but would like to see a ceramic bezel and a dials that resemble the old Daytona's such as the Paul Newman and pre Daytona designation chronographs.
Its always an exciting time and will be looking forward to see all the new releases.
Friday, 15 March 2013
The waiting game
Been a while since I have posted anything as I am back at Uni.
As the title of this posts indicates I am writing about the waiting game. For watch enthusiasts there are many fine independent watchmakers around, it is possible to have a timepiece made to your specifications to a limit. Usually the movement of the watch will be the same, but the perspective owner can have a say on the choice of material for the case and details of the dial.
I have seen recently friends who I communicate with on various forums, take delivery of some exceptional timepieces from independent watch makers and this is something I would love to undertake in the future. You develop a strong bond with the watchmaker and you get to play an exciting waiting game
As for my own waiting game, I was hit by the Panerai PAM 382 known in Paneristi circles as the "Bronzo" when it first came out, as the case is made from marine grade bronze. Other companies such as Gerald Genta have used this material before for cases, but Panerai took interest level to a whole new level.
Since obtaining a Special Edition of Panerai is a tough ask and does cost a fair amount of money, I was happy to see an American company bringing out a limited run of Bronze watches in a similar shape to Panerai. Lum Tec is a small company but has many followers due to their superb value and excellent customer service.
I placed a deposit and the waiting game began. Everything in the building of the watches was going well until the first hitch of the movements of the watches been delayed. That issue was resolved and the next hurdle was a big one to clear. The supplier of the bronze could not supply the right blend. This led to an extended delay.
Well just this week the proper material has been delivered and the finish line is in sight.
Its been a long wait but it has been worth while.
Just waiting for the email to pay for the rest of the watch when its ready.
As the title of this posts indicates I am writing about the waiting game. For watch enthusiasts there are many fine independent watchmakers around, it is possible to have a timepiece made to your specifications to a limit. Usually the movement of the watch will be the same, but the perspective owner can have a say on the choice of material for the case and details of the dial.
I have seen recently friends who I communicate with on various forums, take delivery of some exceptional timepieces from independent watch makers and this is something I would love to undertake in the future. You develop a strong bond with the watchmaker and you get to play an exciting waiting game
As for my own waiting game, I was hit by the Panerai PAM 382 known in Paneristi circles as the "Bronzo" when it first came out, as the case is made from marine grade bronze. Other companies such as Gerald Genta have used this material before for cases, but Panerai took interest level to a whole new level.
Since obtaining a Special Edition of Panerai is a tough ask and does cost a fair amount of money, I was happy to see an American company bringing out a limited run of Bronze watches in a similar shape to Panerai. Lum Tec is a small company but has many followers due to their superb value and excellent customer service.
I placed a deposit and the waiting game began. Everything in the building of the watches was going well until the first hitch of the movements of the watches been delayed. That issue was resolved and the next hurdle was a big one to clear. The supplier of the bronze could not supply the right blend. This led to an extended delay.
Well just this week the proper material has been delivered and the finish line is in sight.
Its been a long wait but it has been worth while.
Just waiting for the email to pay for the rest of the watch when its ready.
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