Paspaley Polo In The City

Earlier in the week our friend Helena rang and asked if we would like to attend the Paspaley Polo in The City. We said yes and were invited along. Very interesting as neither of us knew much about Polo apart from it involving men riding horses and hitting a ball with a stick (and that Charles, William and Harry all play). We were guests in the Jaeger LeCoultre Marquee. We had a great day, wonderful canapes, great Champagne and interesting people. We must remember to wear hats and sunscreen as I got a little burnt and Vikki has some very interesting tan lines on her decolletage. So here are a few photos of our Day at the Polo.

The Invitations





Me enjoying a glass of Mumm Champagne



Vikki outside the Jaeger marquee


The Jaeger LeCoultre display


The guests in the Jaeger marquee


Some of the Jaeger polo team




We had a great time and really enjoyed learning about a sport we had not known much about. The only thing that would have been better was less time between games or more games. But it was lots of fun.

Thanks for having a look and catch you soon!

Ride In To The Danger Zone

Well I went to buy a Hublot the other week and thought I would pop into one of the other watch shops before I had another look at the Hublot. I found the following watch which had only come in during the week and decided it was a little more special than the Hublot. Which watch you ask? That would be the black ceramic IWC Split Seconds TopGun...Here are a few pics









Never really got over selling the Panerai PVD, that black case is still hot. At least with the ceramic case I wont be as worried about scratches, that was the biggest draw back with PVD.

Thanks for having a look!!
Catch you later.

Ultra Rare, One of a Kind, LNNB

Last week was my birthday. To honour the occassion Vikki found a very rare time piece. Very inaccurate time keeper but it is unique and is not replaceable.

So here it is the most unique, definitely the rarest and tastiest timepiece I have ever seen.....



Me with a glass of Piper and the cake.....



The obligatory wrist shot...



Vikki also took me to The Basement for the Sinatra Rocks The Basement show. Great night with fantastic performances from Jeff Duff and three other performers. Here's me enjoying a delicious cocktail called Earth, Wind and Fire....


Thanks for having a look and catch you soon!!

10 DAYS!!

Okay, this is of course referring to the fabulous Patek Philippe 10 Day 5100.
Managed to pick this up after first hearing that it might be for sale about 5 months ago from a dealer in Sydney. Sort of forgot about it until I went and visited the dealer and cheekily asked if his client was still intending to sell the watch. His reply was "he doesn't have it anymore", momentary flash of disppointment, I asked what happened to it and he said "I have it". Then the dealing commenced. I walked out of the shop with the biggest smile on my face and sent Vikki an SMS saying...trouble happen...new watch. Well when she walked in the front door after work her her first words were "it's the 10 day isn't it?" Well how did she know? Good guess on her part. She was with me when I had been to the dealer before and heard me discussing it with him, maybe her memory isn't that bad.

So, onto the photos of this absolute stunner of a watch.







And finally a shot of the Patek "family" showing the different movements.



Thanks for having a look!!
Catch you soon!

Omega Boutique opening

Thought I should update my blog as it has been a little while since I have.
I was invited to the launch of Sydney's Omega boutique in June. Here are a few shots of the guest of honour Cindy Crawford, that I was able to take on my mobile. Wasn't able to get too close unfortunately.






I have a link to the Omega events page, for the the Sydney opening, in my "favourite links" to the left.

Then in August I attended an Omega GTG at the boutique. Here is what Sam a fellow watch enthusiast had to write about the night and photos that he took of the night.

2007 Omega GTG Sydney
This year's gtg took on a slightly different format. But before I get ahead of myself, let me back track a little. As with last year's gtg, I again hoped to have Omega's team involved and that they could show the collectors the new range of watches from Basel. But because the Omega boutique was scheduled to open around the same time as when I was hoping to have the GTG, I've then had to postpone it till August. Which basically meant that many of the collectors would have already seen the latest offerings from the Basel show. Nevertheless, there are still collectors who have yet to see any of the new stuff with their own eyes, and so it is still quite a good eye opener. What started out as an intimate affair between collectors and ogling of each others' watches, became a full scale event as guests of Omega. Of course, there was still the ogling of watches, except this time it was Omega's collection, and quite a big one at that.


It was extremely generous of Omega to offer the boutique for the GTG, and even more generous of them to offer catering as well as a huge variety of drinks of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety.
From a humble beginning of around 15 people at last year's GTG, this year's event saw a good 40-50 people altogether, many of whom were newbies (at least to Omega/WIS gatherings) and we also managed to score a couple of Paneristis over! Many of the Omega sales team were also present, mingling, chatting, showing watches and so forth. Both the boutique manager and the Omega brand manager gave speeches and talked to the collectors. Watchmakers were also present to talk more technical... errr... talks.
We marvelled at the finishing of the cal 8500/8501, amazed at the heft of the solid gold 45.5mm Planet ocean on bracelet, gasped at the intricate movement and craftsmanship of the limited edition split second chronograph pocket watch, (a steal at $113k AUD or there abouts...) and enjoyed the thoroughly ambrosian hor's doeuvres.





This was another great night of watch appreciation.


Thanks for having a look and catch you soon

New Addition

Well most people start their collection with the latest brand in my collection. Bit backwards I know...but the brand never really appealed to me until now. What brand is it I hear you ask?

ROLEX.

The watch?... Stainless Steel Daytona black dial with Rolex movement.

Here are some pics that I managed to take of it.







Thanks for having a look at the newest addition to my collection!!

Catch you soon!!

The Handover Ceremony

On a bright and sunny Sydney Sunday afternoon, Vikki and I went to visit our friends Mark and Amanda, to officially hand over the Pre V 201/A Panerai to it's new owner. We had a great afternoon with them and enjoyed some wine, beers, good nibbles, and good conversation.

Then it was down to business, here are photos taken by Amanda and Mark of the handover.

Mark and I:






What all the fuss is about




Thanks for having a look!!

Catch you next time

Where's My ROO?

Well you turn your back for a minute and things disappear!! Was having a play with the watches tonight and then the AP went missing. Ah Ha! But someone wass being a bit coy tonight...why is Vikki hiding her left wrist? AHHHHH that's where it is...







So should I let Vikki borrow it once in a while or should I make sure my watches are under lock and key? I have noticed her also itching to try on my PP Annular and my Daytona. Might be a good idea to keep an eye on her....LOL

My Love Of Complications Started With....

My love affair with the ‘Master of Complications” started close to 2 years ago. Up to that point I was very much a watch virgin being fascinated by the marketing genius and attractive pricing of Tag Heuer and the movement quality of Jaeger Le Coultre.

This was until I walked into the only Sydney AD that stocks Franck Muller. I was mesmerised by the sheer beauty of this chrono. The blue dial with the contrasting stainless steel case just wove its magic on my senses.

Luckily I still had enough sense left to drive a hard bargain and got the watch at a great price. The only proviso was that I had to pay cash and it had to go into some magazine photoshoots (i.e. LUXE and GQ).

WOW!!!! I just bought a supermodel!

The Obligatory wrist shot:



And a few more:







To me Franck Muller will always remain one of the first independent renegades that makes some truly fascinating pieces.

Thanks for having a look!!

IWC Da Vinci Launch

Bit late with this butre goes. Thursday June 21, Vikki and I braved the cold and wet to go to the IWC cocktail party for their new Da Vinci watches. We met up with our friend Mark in front of Cartier and tried for a cab for 20 minutes.
We were some of the first to arrive at the event, so got first drinks.

Andreas Bosch from IWC, Vikki, Myself and Mark


Mark and Myself




The launch took place in the marquee where the exhibition of models built from Leonardo Da Vinci's drawings and ideas was being held. The models were amazing most being built of wood and some metal. Such a brilliant mind! It is amazing to see modern inventions already being considered by Da Vinci in his time.

Myself and the Helicopter model


Great short presentation about Da Vinci and then a presentation about the main event...the Da Vinci watches from IWC. IWC produced a fantastic video for the watch and we were then able to get up close and personal with the watches themselves and lucky enough to try them on.



The IWC Watch Display


During the presentation we were told that the IWC Australia brand ambassador was in attendance....who could it be we wondered? and then we were told it was 5 times world 500cc motorcycle champion Mick Doohan. Well we just had to get photos with him and an autograph.

Vikki, Mick Doohan and Myself


Mick with our friend Helena


Mick and our friend Tom


The whole night was a great experience. Fabulous finger foods, good drinks(ok, it was Moet for the champers) great people.

Catch you later!!

HOT DATE TONIGHT...

Well sort of. I have my invite to the Omega Boutique opening in Sydney tonight where Cindy Crawford will be attending as the international brand ambassador. So here is a shot of me that Vikki took before I left her alone to see Cindy. At least it isn't raining tonight.

5070

Two quick pics of my 5070WG






And my AP Themes on Black Horn Croc strap....




Hope you enjoy looking as much as I enjoy wearing!

Catch you later!

Watch Tour of Singapore and Hong Kong

My wife and I are back from our trip to Singapore and Hong Kong that was a little bit business and a lot of pleasure. Our first night in Singapore we met Dave(Watchmaster). Who took us to a wonderful Chinese dinner at Asia Grand and then to coffee and dessert at a coffee shop in Raffles City. It is great when you can do things like that at 1100pm. Sydney has a lot to learn!

Monday armed with two pages of addresses of watch shops and boutiques, we first off hit Singapore's famous Orchard Road. I think we saw all the Hourglass and Sincere boutiques. Spotted Richard Mille Boutique (which we went to on Wednesday). Saw heaps of watches of all descriptions and price ranges.

The Hourglass Orchard and Scotts Roads

Tuesday we found Yafriro in the Paragon with its fantastic range of high end watches. Some we have been wanting to see for some time, HD3, Hautlence and the new Michel Jordi's( I have an older one from my time at UBS). Some absolutely amazing eye candy/wristporn in this shop!!! We found (more like followed the 'crumbs' of Franck Mullers) the Sincere Boutique in the Hilton. There were a few other brands in there but we were most interested in the HUGE range of FM watches on display. We even saw the FM two time zone travellers clock in the Tonneau shape. We had our first visit to the Audemars Boutique, popped in to Visiotime and more until our feet nearly fell off. Had dinner at Lawrys in the Paragon.

The Audemars Piguet boutique

The Audemars Service Centre Singapore

Picking up my Themes with the new Hornback Croc strap

The front door of Audemars Service centre

Wednesday and Thursday were a bit of work for me. Vikki got to go exploring and found the Roger Dubuis Boutique. Went and looked in the Richard Mille Boutique where I tried on a two or three watches. Had dinner on Wednesday with work colleagues who are based in Singapore and then Vikki and I went to have a REAL Singapore Sling at the Long Bar at Raffles. Fantastic, even enjoyed throwing the peanut shells on the floor(can't do that at home!!LOL)

Roger Dubuis Boutique

Thursday our new friend Dave took us to meet the lovely Mrs Cheong at Patek Philippe Singapore. We spent about half an hour firstly talking to the lovely ladies that work there and then spent about another half an hour talking to Mrs Cheong herself. Picked up some back issues of the Patek Philippe magazines as well. After that Dave took us out to the Sincere Boutique at Vivocity where we looked at some Langes. We then had a Singapore style tea and some special toast which was delicious. After that Dave took us for REAL Singapore Chilli Crab at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant at East Coast Seafood Centre. We also had satay chicken, noodles and FANTASTIC Pepper Crab. Vikki doesn't usually eat much crab but she certainly enjoyed it that night! Will definitely go back next time we are in Singapore. Then we had a drive back to Sentosa for a cocktail at the Sentosa resort.

Friday morning arrived we repacked and waited for our transfer and flight to Hong Kong. The trip in was very interesting and we werevery excited to be there for the first time. Went to our great hotel, The Harbour View Plaza in Kowloon, checked in , settled in and then went for our first trip into Kowloon (yep we had that list of addresses again). Went and had dinner in Hard Rock Cafe...I know what you are thinking why not real chinese food? If there is a Hard rock where we are visiting we go and have dinner and grab a souvenir glass. Had a great walk around without getting lost, visited many of the watch shops, got asked if we wanted Rolex genuine copy. What is a genuine copy?

Saturday we caught the fast ferry to Hong Kong side, the list was with us and we quickly located the Panerai Boutique, the Audemars Piguet Boutique, the newly opened Franck Muller Boutique, F.P.Journe etc. But we were a bit early so we walked to the Peak tram and caught it up to the Peak. AMAZING views. took some great photos and some little video clips. After a drink of water and quick log on to check email, we went down again and visited the Boutiques.

Me at Victoria Peak with Hong Kong in the background

Vikki and I at the OP Boutique

Yes I wore my OP cap

After wandering around for a bit and checking out the watch boutiques and other shops we headed back Kowloon side for a look around before going back to the hotel to have Teppanyaki in the japanese restaurant in our hotel. After that it was time for a swim, dip in the spa and back to the room to freshen up before dinner. Having tried Lawry's in Singapore we decided to try another American Steak house...Ruth's Chris Steak House. Great food, great wine, great service and a great new watch. The first official photo taken of my ROO Themes.

After dinner we wandered around the shops a bit, this time we got a little lost, but worked it out pretty quickly. In both Singapore and Hong Kong we felt safe which is something you can't say for Sydney at the same time of night.

Sunday came and we caught the Star Ferry HKside. Got to take some great photos as we went across the harbour. This trip was dedicated to locating the Jaeger Le Coultre Boutique, which we did a lot easier and quicker than we thought we would. To our delight we also found Richard Mille and several of the others along with Tiffany, Van Cleef and Arpels and Cartier. So after looking in them we went to the movies and saw Pirates of The Caribbean: At Worlds End. After that back out to the streets for another little walk around and then back Kowloon side. After a quick cocktail at HRC we went for a big wander up Nathan Road and down a couple of side streets. Then we decided our trip wouldn't be complete if we didn't have afternoon tea at The Peninsula Hotel, which we enjoyed with a glass of champagne. We skipped dinner as we felt too full after our HUGE afternoon tea.

Monday came too quickly and it was time to say good bye to the nice hot weather and head back to cold Sydney. Unfortunately lost my wallet and Amex somewhere in Hong Kong airport and had a mad dash around looking for it with only 30 minutes till departure. Got on the plane a the last moment rang the bank canceeled Amex and then relaxed a little for the flight to Singapore. Arrived in Singapore and found we had to make another mad dash practically from one end of the airport to the other for our connecting flight. Not many on the flight so the flight attendants kindly asked if we would like to move to a set of 3 seats so we could stretch out. Watched one movie and then got to sleep.

So that was our trip and thanks for taking the time to get to the end of it!!!

Catch you soon!