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!!