Sydney WIS GTG February 2008

Last Thursday our "little" group got together and had a dinner after our regular caffeine fix. Not only were the Movement boys there but we had a couple of the Watch Widows along too. We had a great night that was only slightly hampered by the size of the room and the background music. We all enjoyed a good dinner and a good look at everyone's watches, some of which were new to us. Some people unfortunately had to leave early and some arrived a little later. Gary joined us from Hong Kong before he left for the US on Friday.
So here are a few pics from our GTG
















We are due for another GTG the night before we fly to Japan. I hope it wont be too late a night as we will need to be up at 630am. I think we will be packing on the weekend before!

Thanks for having a look! There are some more photos taken by others at the GTG over on Horomundi forum.

Catch you later!!

Joining the Order of the Calatrava

Sometimes less IS more!
Most people start their Patek Philippe journey with a Calatrava, by chance it is now my 5th Patek.

An unexpected opportunity arose from one of my preferred secondhand dealers. I was walking past his shopfront last week and I saw a 5117J in the window. Now this is a discontinued model and a fellow Sydney watch collector has a white gold one. I have been an admirer of this piece, as it combines the classic hobnail bezel with the more modern robustness of a larger case. According to the Certificate of Origin the watch was produced in 2003. It came with all accessories and a great price.

It is powered by the 315 caliber and yes I have broken one of my cardinal rules of not doubling up on a Patek movement that is already in my collection. One thing I did notice, is that the font used on the movement is different to that on my 5035G which was produced in 1998.

First impressions are that the Hobnail bezel adds a nice sparkle to the watch and it truly is an 'understated classic'. My concerns about it being too classic have been alleviated as it is currently sporting a black strap. I have ordered a tobacco Patek strap with my AD and the look will change dramatically. The 315 mvt is very efficient and the accuracy is what one would expected from Patek.

Here are some pics.







Any comments welcome as well as any other experiences or comments on the 5117.

Thanks for stopping by for a look!!
Catch you soon.

A worthy wait …..Now time to celebrate!!!

Kung Hai Fat Choi to everyone reading my blog. Well it certainly has been very fortuitous to finally collect my 5712/1A from the Sydney AD. The wait has been over 11 months and anxious at times as it caused me to buy things I just ended up selling.

However on a busy Friday morning, I managed to sneak out of the office (amid more financial market turmoil and appeasing nervous clients) to the comfort of my AD’s Patek salon section. To my surprise there was another customer from sunny Brisbane also collecting his 5712 Nautilus which added another surprising and exciting twist to the day. The passion for Pateks seems to be growing across the globe.

I couldn’t wait to get the watch on my wrist. Wow! This is the most comfortable steel bracelet I have ever worn and the sleekness of the 5712 seems to just melt into your wrist. I think that this will have to become my daily. I don’t care about marks and scratches (a sure sign of love LOL).

Here is a wrist shot!!!

Sydney, Australia hit by Big Bang!!!!!

We’ll it was just a matter of time, however this purchase consideration took longer than usual, as I’m getting tired of buying a watch only to seek the next conquest a few months later. As such I have adopted a more systematic approach to selecting a worthy candidate.

Mission
To buy a watch that is fun, ultra-modern and a watch that I would feel comfortable wearing on a daily basis as opposed to spending its life on my wrist at home or in my watch winder.

The setting
Given all the buoyancy in the watch industry to the point that classic ‘market bubble’ symptoms and behaviours are now firmly entrenched, I have so far chosen the recluse of the original independents such as Patek Philippe and vintage Rolex. I’m first to admit that it has been a rewarding and costly exercise going through about six brands and over 11 watches in 18 months.

So why Hublot??
The electric energy of Mr Biver is infectious. Whilst this has a strong initial attraction in the buzz that it creates, it can fade just as quickly. Despite only taking delivery of the watch earlier this week, the personality of the Big Bang has been singing to me over a number of months now. Big, bold, revolutionary and rebellious are all characteristics that appeal to me. The complexity of the case, material used, fuses magically with the robustness and dependability of the 7750 Valjoux ebauche.
Another key aspect as to the appeal of Hublot is that the management are very close to the customer, more so than any other brand. This is a rarity that I wanted to experience firsthand. If you ‘talk the talk you have to walk the walk’ an adage that Mr Biver and his team at Hublot has been successful in delivering.
Finally practicality, as I have a plate in my left wrist courtesy of my motorbike hobby (i.e. Ducatista), metal bracelets are something I tend to shy away from. I find the tyre-tread rubber strap incredibly comfortable, especially in the hot Australian summer which ravages leather\croc straps.


Which version did I choose?
The Rose Gold BB has its instant appeal as it remains the original look in my mind. I was nearly seduced by the industrial undertones of the Tantalum Matt Bang. Love the Ice Bang and Black Magic, but not as the first purchase.

Ultimately the daily wearer requirement made me settle on a Stainless Steel Big Bang. I love the contrast of this beauty. It has been on my wrist since the first day of purchase.

Now I’m am a true Hublotista!

Here are some pics!











Thanks for having a look!! Catch you again soon.

Rene

My First T Rolex

I have owned many watches over the last 3-4 years including a Rolex daytona which had to be sacrificed as a part trade on a 5100J Ten day Patek. Now pretty much stick to PPs.

However my local 2nd hand dealer who is a Rolex collector offered a 5513 (7xxxxxx hence around 81-82) for sale. Once I saw the quality of the T-dial I was mesmerised. The watch felt a bit light (flimsy if that is the appropriate word) but once on the wrist it seems beautifully balanced and the bracelet is comfortable. T-dial watches are just so cool to look at.

Here some pics.

Wristshot!!



Some fun with the camera

Some 10 Day Fun

For my Christmas present, I was lucky enough to secure some Basel Press
Kits which are absolutely fantastic as you get some high quality pics,
detailed information on the pieces being released and those wonderful
colour movement pics. Given that I just got my PP 5100J in October as a
birthday present to myself, imagine my joy when I received the Basel
2000 press kit which covers the 10 day and the World Time.
To me collecting all the catalogues, brochures, books and other Patek
Philippe paraphernalia is a great way to learn about the brand and its
rich history.

Here are some fun pics for your enjoyment.

Glamour shot ( I still think the yellow gold is the most photogenic,
but then I'm biased).
Photo of 10 in front of Yg 10 Photo



10 Day in front of press kit cover.




Close-up





Hope you like the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Happy New Year and I look forward to 2008!

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!