Hublot...

I have to admit that my knowledge on this particular brand sits between 0 and nil. But on the flight back from Seoul, I spotted this watch on the wrist of a fellow passenger. I have to say that it did peek my interest and I am currently learning up a bit on the brand. 

The watch in question...

A closer view. 

I am guessing that the watch is the Hublot Big Bang Steel Ceramic 44mm Chronograph, reference 301.SB.131.RX. I kind of like the look of the watch....

Photograph: Hublot

Watch shopping in Seoul...

Well, we are back, after a long time off the blog, being lazy, being under the weather, etc....

Anyway, we were in Seoul, South Korea recently for a small 'holiday'. Was hoping to see some exciting watch shops but alas, there were not many. Perhaps it were the places we visited, palaces - Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung and Changdeokgung, outdoor markets - Myeondong and Namdaemun and aquarium - Coex Mall. 

We did see a small stand in the Lotte Mall selling Ice-Watch, but that was the extent of watch shops that we saw. Anyway, there is a watch shop in the airport and they do have a nice selection of watches. 

I am sure that there are watch shops in the larger malls in Seoul, but in this visit, we decided to stay out of the malls. 

Armatix Firearm Smart System

What an interesting way to use a watch. Introducing the Armatix Firearm Smart System. The system pairs an .22 calibre iP1 pistol with the iW1 RFID watch so that only the person wearing the watch can fire the pistol. The pistol will automatically deactivate when it loses contact with the watch. How cool is that...

The iW1 watch basically arms the pistol for firing. It also have the following functions: 

• PIN code entry and PIN code management for weapon enablement
• Charge level indicator for both the watch and weapon
• Time-controlled weapon deactivation
• Extensive watch functions
• Power supply for 5,000 rounds or a minimum of one year standby

For more information:

Armatix Firearm Smart System

The watch...

The pistol.

Photographs: Armatix

Cobra de Calibre

Here is an interesting way to start up a watch company. Use Kickstarter. This is what a new micro brand out of Canada is doing. The watch brand is called Cobra de Calibre. 

The watch...

I have to say that it does look good. The basic specs are:

Case: 316L stainless steel, 42mm diameter, 51mm lug to lug, 11.5mm thick and 22mm lug width

Movement: Miyota 9015 with signed rotor

Crystal: flat sapphire crystal both front and back

Water resistant: 30 ATM

For more information:

Cobra de Calibre watches

Photographs: Cobra de Calibre

Panerai, An Italian Story

It took me a long time to order this book, but I finally did. I am indeed happy I did. 

I don't normally do unboxing, but there is always a first.... Shipping was rather fast. 

The unboxing. The books were will packed, as can be seen from the following pictures. 

Finally the books...

But there is more... 

The box to put the books in...

What is in the box? 

A DVD with lots of interviews (bilingual) ... 

The all important cert...

And the all important signature...

The first book, dedicated to vintage Panerai. 340 pages, bilingual Italian and English.

The Authors...

The second book, dedicated to Pre-Vendome Panerai watches. 340 pages, bilingual Italian and English.

The Authors...

The books in the box set. 

Panerai, An Italian Story. Awesome book, a must for all Panerai collectors. Lots of information. Looks like I will be spending lots of time on the books.

The best part of the books? The photography. A sample of the photographs in the books....

Photographs: Lugs Edizioni

For more information:

Panerai, An Italian Story

Wrist and Pocket Watches from the Pfeiffer-Belli Collection

Auctionata together with Chrono24 will be holding a special auction where the superb private collection of Munich-based watch journalist and watch expert Christian Pfeiffer-Belli will be auctioned. You will have an opportunity to purchase exquisite wrist and pocket watches from famous brands to historic vintage chronometers. This collection is 20 years in the making and is one of the finest German watch collection.

The auction will be held on Friday 28 February at 1800 hours CET. For more information:

Auctionata

Some of the watches on auction:

Glashutte Precision Watches Factory Pocket Watch, Germany, 1910.

Citizen Chronometer Wristwatch, Japan, circa 1965.

Capt and Co, Men's Chronograph, Switzerland, circa 1950.

Photographs: Auctionata

Panerai forever..

A couple of days ago I was fortunate (?) enough to be able to see and touch the famed PAM00532 Radiomir 1940 3 Days Paneristi Forever. I have to say that I like the watch because it is a nice watch.

The PAM00532... apologies for the reflections...

A closer view of the dial. You have the pig at the 6 o'clock position. The Ecru lume used on the PAM00532 seems different from the PAM00390, but I could be wrong. 

The 1940 case in stainless steel, coated black. Not sure if it is DLC or PVD. The watch is powered by Panerai in-house P.3000 caliber and the watch is 47mm in diameter and water  resistant to 10 ATM.

The case back, which is solid and screw-down. Of course, the much talked either you love or hate it 'Paneristi Forever' engraving. Does not bother me....

The crown, signed. And yes, the watch uses spring bars instead of screws to hold the straps in place. Again this may bother some, but I am OK with it. It would be nice if it were screws...

The 'gap' between the crown and case. The crown is screw down in design and the gap is to prevent the crown from scratching the coating on the case.

Again the PAM00532.

The other watch I managed to see is the PAM00183 Radiomir Black Seal. But this is the G series where the 'Black Seal' is at the 6 o'clock position instead of the 12. This was only made for 1 year, the G series. And the G Series had the engraved 'Panerai Panerai' movement. Only 1,500 pieces and there were 2 for me to 'play' with....

And no, I did not get either watches.... :(