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The reference 15300 has been discontinued and have been replaced by the reference 15400.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..... :(

OT O.R.I.S.

I took this photograph earlier today. Like they say, a photograph is worth a thousand words. 

O.R.I.S. is Oarsman Racing Innate Sailor.... emmmmmm....

Something old, something new...

Finally I manage to view and 'play' with the Tudor Pelagos reference 25500TN. I have to say that any initial apprehension I had about the watch, based on early life photographs on the Internet were all wiped away. I had my doubts about the overall finish of the watch. I am pleasantly surprised and impressed with the watch save one thing, but more about that later. 

The watch.

I like it. 

Something old and something new....

Opppsss lousy photograph...

A slightly better one. The Pelagos with its Granddad the reference 7016. Which would you choose?

OK, so what is the one thing I don't like about the watch? The clasp. Don't know how robust the mechanism is and how long it will last (with dirt and grime getting into it). But if I do get the watch, I will use it with the provided rubber strap. 

So, which suits me better? The Black Bay or the Pelagos? The Black Bay was starting to grow on me, but after looking at the Pelagos..... 

Both would be nice...... :)

Watch photography learning curve

Still on a learning curve.... Background (ceiling) clutter and height or distance from object is important. Also still trying to perfect taking photographs of watches with domed crystal....

Background (ceiling) clutter.... :(

Too near the watch..... :(

A tad further back... Must learn cropping.....

Domed crystal.....

Almost there but depth of field.....

Oh well, the learning continues.....