264. AN INTRIGUING BULOVA... (CERITA SEBUAH JAM BULOVA...)

On looking back sometimes we could not help but to laugh at ourselves at the comedy of errors committed during the tenderfoot stage of our collections. At the slightest prompting and cajoling, we would agree to take a watch without much deliberation.

For example this Bulova, we just took it home ignorant of what we were getting into. Since Bulova was a name still missing in our collections then and the watch looked deceivingly clean and healthy, we didn't hesitate to pick it up. What more it came together with a Bulova box.

We took the watch home only to realise it wasn't what it was claimed to be...In short it was not working. Still we hold no grudge to anyone. Just consider the cost of the watch as a tuition fee for a lesson during the learning curve.

A visit to the watch doctor revealed that the watch was sick to the bone. Had it been a footballer, the right medical consultant to refer to would be an orthopedic surgeon and subsequently a physiotherapist.

Well, it's properly resuscitated and rehabilitated, albeit at a cost. It's now up and running. How well and how long? Honestly, we don't really know for sure and we cannot guarantee.

For some strange reason too, nobody in the family seems to show any interest, liking or desire to get it on the wrist. Nobody is even keen to have a second glance. What a pity. Maybe it needs to be exorcised!

We reckon it is now time to bid farewell to this timepiece maybe at a huge discount or... better still, just mark it down as an item for the coming Kelab Keledang charity auction this year. That would definitely be the best parting shot!

No disrespect to the watch but sometimes it's best just to close a fascinating chapter to an intriguing watch, have a good laugh and move on.

On the Bulova, oh yes, we still love to have a piece of solid and decent Bulova in the collections!

Most importantly in pursuing any hobby certain thing happened for a reason.

CERITA SEBUAH JAM BULOVA...

Terasa lucu bila terkenang kisah-kisah di peringkat awal minat mengumpul jam di kala ilmu masih dangkal. Ada saja orang menjolok sesebuah jam tangan asalkan kenal si penjual, tanpa banyak kerenah terus beli. Lagi-lagilah kalau jam jenama Swiss yang belum ada dalam koleksi.

Alkisah cerita Bulova yang satu ini. Nampak cantik jadi terus ambik. Umpama bunga dedap yang cantik tapi tak wangi, begitulah jam Bulova ini yang nampak menarik tapi tak berfungsi. Tak kesahlah...Itulah harga sebuah pengalaman.

Kini jam ini sudah gagah semula, berjalan baik setelah dipulihkan oleh doktor jam dan penukaran beberapa anggota baru. Cuma...takde siapa dalam keluarga yang berminat. Diletakkan dalam kotak koleksi pun bagaikan tiada harmoni dengan kengkawan.

Barangkali sudah sampai masa Bulova ini berubah angin. Mungkin wajar dilepaskan dengan mudah...atau lebih baik direservekan untuk acara lelongan Kelab Bakti Gunung Keledang tahun ini!

Tentang Bulova...Pastinya yang pergi perlu dicari pengganti yang lebih unggul dan anggun!

Lebih penting, dalam perjalanan memburu hobi ada peristiwa yang terjadi dengan sebab tersendiri...

263. MERINTIS JALAN MENCARI KEREDHAAN... (EXTENDING THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES...)

Seawal 9.00 pagi semalam, rombongan Kelab Bakti Gunung Keledang diketuai Presiden kelab, Dr zakaria berkumpul di gerai berdepan Balai Bomba Simpang Pulai, Ipoh. Kali ini rombongan lebih meriah kerana disertai Keledang Ladies dan Keledang Kids.

Jam 10.00 pagi rombongan berangkatdengan empat buah kereta menuju ke beberapa kampong Orang Asli seperti Kampong Lalang, Kampong Sungai Sador, Kampong Pos Raya dan Kampong Pos Slim di sepanjang Jalan Simpang Pulai ke Cameron Highlands.

Misi: Untuk meninjau dan berbincang dengan ketua-ketua kampong mengenai cadangan dan pelaksanaan program bantuan Kelab untuk masyarakat Orang Asli bagi tahun 2010. Program yang bakal dijalankan bersama beberapa NGO lain.

Tuan Haji Sabri, Pegawai Jabatan Hal Ehwal Orang Asli, yang telah mengatur lawatan mengiringi rombongan. Kampung Lalang adalah destinasi pertama. Ada 30 keluarga, majoriti Islam tinggal disitu.

Tok Batin Bah Gilir, ketua Kampong Lalang ditemui untuk berbincang. Kampong ini sungguh cantik dengan rumah-rumah baru dibina kerajaan dan disempadani sungai berbatu airnya jernih mengalir deras. Kemudahan surau, air bersih, letrik dan jalan berturap disediakan kerajaan di kampong tersebut.

Permohonan bantuan untuk mengadakan sebuah tadika, kelas jahitan, dan kemudahan sebuah dewan yang disuarakan oleh Tok Batin Bah Gilir diambil perhatian oleh Dr Zakaria, Presiden Kelab Keledang. “Mengenai usul menambah kekerapan kelas bimbingan agama Islam, kalau sesuai seorang ustaz pun kelab boleh sediakan.” kata Presiden.

Dari Kampong Lalang, rombongan bergerak Ke Kampong Sungai Sador. Ketua kampong, Sdr Ayob telah sedia menunggu. Kampong Sungai Sador lagi bertuah. Jalan masuk ke kampong baru siap diturap. Seramai dua puluh lapan keluarga pula baru mendapat rumah sesebuah dua bilik (20' x 28') dalam fasa pertama bantuan perumahan oleh kerajaan. Kampong Lalang bagaikan sebuah taman perumahan dalam taman hijau.

Sementara Presiden dan Jawatankuasa kelab berbincang dengan Tok Ketua, Keledang Ladies mengagih-agihkan sedikit buah tangan yang dibawa.

“Memang kampong ini sudah menikmati banyak kemudahan. Tapi dari segi pelajaran anak-anak masih kurang maju.” kata Tok Ketua Ayob.

Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Raya dengan murid seramai 280 orang adalah satu-satunya sekolah kebangsaan yang disediakan kerajaan untuk kampong-kampong Orang Asli berdekatan.

“Dulu saya sekolah hanya darjah tiga tapi boleh menulis, membaca dan mengira. Tapi sekarang sekolah sampai darjah enam tapi tulis nama sendiri pun belum boleh” keluh Tok Ketua Ayob.

Beliau mencadangkan supaya kelab jadikan SK Pos Raya sebagai sekolah angkat kelab dan bantu adakan guru-guru tambahan untuk kelas tuition.

“Pelajaran tu penting untuk mengubah sikap Orang Asli dan untuk mereka bersaing” kata Tok Ketua Ayob dengan penuh kesedaran semasa sembang-sembang di pinggir Sungai Raya di belakang kampong sementara menunggu ubi kayu digoreng untuk jamuan iringan teh tarik.

Terima kasih kepada Tuan Haji Sabri kerana bersusah payah menemukan kepimpinan kelab dengan masyarakat Orang Asli untuk mendapat maklumat secara langsung buat menyusun program kelab.

Tentunya kini Presiden dan Jawatankuasa mampu merangka lebih banyak aktiviti khusus terutama di bidang pelajaran untuk anak-anak Asli. Mungkin banyak sekolah dapat dijadikan sekolah angkat dan mungkin banyak aktiviti ekonomi dapat disusun.

Apa pun nyata Sdr Presiden tampak puas dan lebih bersemangat...

Satu lawatan pagi yang amat berkesan...merintis jalan untuk mencari keredhaan.

EXTENDING THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES...

As early as 9.00 am yesterday morning the group including the ladies and the kids from Keledang Club, a Malay NGO (similar to Rotary Club) assembled at the stall in front of Fire Brigade Station, Simpang Pulai, Ipoh, Perak.

The mission today is to visit several Orang Asli (the indigenous people) settlements like Kampong Lalang, Kampong Sungai Sador, Kampong Pos Raya and Kampong Pos Slim along the Simpang Pulai - Cameron Highlands Highway to discuss with the various headmen on the club’s proposed community services for this year.

Led by Tuan Haji Sabri, an officer from the Orang Asli Affairs Department, the first stop is Kampong Lalang, a settlement just 20 minutes drive from our starting point. The Federal Government has provided the settlement with most of the basic amenities including new concrete two-room houses, metalled roads, water and electricity supplies. The serene settlement of 30 families is located in a nice area bounded by a crystal clean flowing river.

We had a good fruitful discussion with Bah Gilir,the wise village headman, who made some interesting proposals like conducting ladies sewing classes, additional religious classes, kindergarten and hall facilities. Those proposals will be deliberated by the club's main committee for immediate implementation.

From Kampong Lalang, we proceeded to Kampong Sungai Sador where Ayob, the village headman was already waiting. A young man of vision, Ayob emphasised more on the need for the children of his community to good education.

The village is blessed with the recent upgrading of infrastructure by the government. There are new concrete houses, new tarred roads and fresh water supplies. Oh yes, electricity is also available to enable them to get local and world news including news of their favourite football team, Manchester United and Wayne Rooney.

Ayob, the headman suggested the club adopt Pos Raya Primary School where he is the current chairman of the Parent-Teachers Association, and provide tuition classes to improve the students academic excellence.

All in all, the visit was very fruitful. Direct discussions channel is the way forward if ever programs for the Orang Asli communities were to be successfully embarked.

262. INTERNET INTERRUPTION... AGAIN! (GANGGUAN PERKHIDMATAN INTERNET...LAGI!)

INTERNET INTERRUPTION... AGAIN!

One and a half days without internet service is worse than a week without morning papers. The interruption is getting more frequent now. Thanks to the TM Technician, En Meor, the service has been restored at 11.00 this morning.

Still looking forward to the day of free interruption and faster internet service...

GANGGUAN PERKHIDMATAN INTERNET...LAGI!

Satu hari setengah tak boleh masuk internet, rasa resah semacam. Lebih teruk dari takde surat kabo seminggu. Terima kasih lah En Meor, cepat bertindak atas aduan. Dah dapat servis sejak jam 11.00 tadi, bolehlah kemaskini blog.

Harap-harap TM cepat-cepat upgrade servis supaya bebas gangguan...

261. GOT THE ANNUAL, MET THE YOUNG MAN... (DAPAT MAJALAH TERBARU DAN TEMUI USAHAWAN MUDA...)

Turned out to be an interesting day today.

Early in the morning, off to Kuala Lumpur for my dental appointment at 11.00 am at the boutique dental specialist centre, Dentalpro . Dr Syamsul, the dental surgeon, is going to fix implants for tooth no.26 and tooth no.27. Slightly more than six months ago, he did bone grafting to facilitate the implant process.

Talking to Dr Syamsul and Dr Syed Azman, another consultant at the specialist centre is so refreshing. So much more to learn about dental technicalities especially today when they highlighted on the gum grafting process.

Job satisfactorily done and I am off to Cheras for an engagement with Fisol, my lawyer and a childhood friend over some outstanding matters on a property purchased some years ago.

Over lunch, Muzill called Fitri, our friend at Passions Watch Exchange in Bangsar enquiring about Wrist Watch Annual 2010. To our delight the Annual is already available at the outlet.

Rushed to Bangsar to get the copy and within 30 minutes we were already there. It was raining so Muzill just dropped me near the entrance of Bangsar Village 2 to pick up the copy of WristWatch Annual 2010 and WOW 2009/ Festive from Fitri at Passions.

Got a surprise at the Passions too. Jonathan Tee, the owner of the gallery was around. The man always quoted in my talks to young entrepreneurs as a role model in online retail business, is in person at the gallery.

Took the opportunity to talk to him about the online watch business, my recent watches acquisitions and my Hanoi trip. The man sure knows a lot of stuff about watches while explaining there are lots more models displayed in his Singapore gallery.

Oh yes, Jonathan, I will gladly, God willing, make time this year to visit your Singapore gallery.

Thanks for the invitation.

DAPAT MAJALAH TERBARU DAN TEMUI USAHAWAN MUDA...

Hari ini adalah satu hari yang menarik.

Seawal 8.00 pagi bertolak dari Ipoh ke Kuala Lumpur. Jam 11.00 pagi ada temujanji dengan pakar gigi di Dentalpro, sebuah butik pusat pakar pergigian.

Tiba di destinasi agak awal. Dr Syamsul, pakar pergigian sedia menanti untuk menjalankan proses pemasangan implant pada ruang gigi no.26 dan gigi no.27 selepas kerja-kerja bone grafting disempurnakan kurang lebih enam bulan lalu. Nampaknya ada penambahbaikan pada hiasan dalaman klinik. Tampak lebih anggun berseri. Tahniah Dentalpro!

Kerja-kerja pergigian selesai dilaksanakan dalam masa 1 jam oleh Dr Syamsul pagi ini. Memang banyak yang perlu diketahui tentang teknik pergigian terutama bila Dr Syamsul dan Dr Syed Azman, seorang lagi pakar di situ bercerita tentang teknik gum grafting.

Terus ke Cheras untuk berjumpa Sdr Fisol, seorang peguam juga rakan sekampung sejak dari kecil, untuk bereskan beberapa perkara terbengkalai tentang urusan pembelian rumah beberapa tahun lalu.

Semasa makan tengahari, Muzill telefon Sdr Fitri, rakan dan petugas di Passions Watch Exchange. Dimaklumkan majalah Wristwatch Annual 2010 sudah ada di kedai. Selesai makan, meluncur ke Bangsar untuk mengambil majalah di Passions. Laluan dari Cheras ke Bangsar kini sudah mudah tanpa banyak trafik jam. Sampai di Bangsar hujan lebat jadi singgah sekejap untuk ambil naskah WWA 2010 dan World of Watches/ Festive 2009.

Kebetulan Sdr Jonathan Tee, pemilik Passions, usahawan muda yang saya kagumi, berada di kedai. Sembang-sembang sekejap tentang dunia bisnes online, tentang cubaan awal Muzill berjinak-jinak dengan online business, tentang model-model jam terbaru dan tentang lawatan saya ke Hanoi.

Oh ya, terima kasih Jonathan atas jemputan untuk melawat outlet anda di Singapura.

Insyaallah, saya akan luangkan sedikit masa tahun ini untuk berkunjung ke sana apatah lagi bila saudara katakan lebih banyak model jam tangan yang dipamir di sana berbanding dengan di Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.

260. THE SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT AUTOMATIC LONGINES LINKAGE...( JAM TANGAN LONGINES PENYEMAI SATU RANTAIAN...)

I’ve always like Longines especially the automatic timepieces. This model/Ref. no. L 47082117 was purchased from a KLCC watch gallery early May last year during one of those watch browsing trips.

The white clean dial is very simple for it displays only the hour and minute hands without the second hand, the day and date functions. The roman numerals add to its elegance. The only flaw to me is the inverted Roman numerals of V and VI which I personally despised. I prefer the numbers to be upright, the way it should be.

For an automatic timepiece, this Longines model is super light giving the impression that it is quartz. The subtle golden and silver finishing of the bracelet adds to its character of exclusivity, formality and poise suitable for dinner wear or for that matter for any formal function.

For the price offered, I thought then this automatic timepiece with skeletal caseback was a bargain. Little did I realise that there was a SALE ongoing in my home town, Ipoh and the same model was being offered at a price cheaper by RM 500.00. Well that’s quite a load of difference for a timepiece, my friend.

The story of this Longines did not end there. Much later during another trip to KLCC I dropped by the same KLCC watch gallery to look at some Omega timepieces including limited edition ‘moon watch’. The manager, an Ipoh-born lady upon recognising me as a former customer took me around to see some new models and offered fantastic discounts on some of the Omega timepieces I enquired.

I guessed sometimes you have to ‘invest’ a little to get the right linkage. So, that RM 500.00 extra for the Longines after all, was dirt cheap!

Jenama Longines memang antara jenama jam tangan yang menjadi idaman sejak sekian lama apatah lagi yang berjenis automatik.

Model ini L 47082117 dibeli dari sebuah butik jam di KLCC semasa sesi rambu-rambu santai jam di KLCC.

Dial putih bersih yang hanya memaparkan logo, jarum jam dan jarum minit tanpa fungsi tarikh ,haribulan dan jarum saat tampak simple dan bergaya. Angka-angka roman yang tertera menambahkan seri permukaan dial. Cumanya saya kurang selesa dengan angka roman untuk nombor lima dan enam yang seolah terbalik. Saya lebih senang jika angka lima dan enam tegak seperti yang sepatutnya.

Sebuah jam automatic kebiasaannya agak berat tetapi model Longines ini terlalu ringan seperti gaya jam Quartz atau yang berbateri. Tali berwarna emas diselangi warna perak yang dipasang menambahkan lagi keanggunan jam ini. Sesuai sekali dipakai ke majlis resmi atau mana-mana acara formal.

Seronok dan senang hati bila dapat beli pada harga yang dah dirasakan harga runtuh.

Masa jalan-jalan kat Kinta City Ipoh pada satu hujung minggu ternampak jam model ni sebiji kat satu butik jam tangan di situ. Waduh, murah pulak di Ipoh bila tanya harga lepas diskaun. Kurang sampai RM500, yop! Takpe lah dah terbeli nak buat macam mana, redha je lah...

Sebulan dua lepas tu masa kunjungan kat KLCC singgah semula ke butik yang beli Longines. Bila dibuka cerita beli Longines tempoh hari, ingat pulak si Pengurus kelahiran Ipoh tu.

Saja singgah, ingat nak tengok-tengok Omega terutama model Moon Watch. Memang dah banyak kali round kat tempat lain tengok model Omega. Jadi kurang lebih tahu gak harga sebenar. Alhamdulillah, banyak pulak diskaun yang dia offer untuk Omega kali ni.

Itulah kekadang kita sendiri tak sedar ada ketika sedikit pelaburan awal mendatangkan banyak manfaat di kemudian hari.

Setakat RM500 untuk membina satu jalur rantaian...Ai, murah sangat tu!

259. MEMBURU JAM VINTAGE DI VIETNAM (HUNTING FOR VINTAGES IN VIETNAM)

Itulah kalau dah gila jam sampai ke negara orang pun terkejar-kejar cari jam tangan lama. Sejak hari Rabu telah berada di Hanoi. Jadi bila ada kesempatan sedikit masa malam tadi, ajak Tran Hai, rakan Vietnamese memburu jam vintage di kotaraya ini walau pun cuaca agak sejuk di sana siang dan malam.

Rata kedai di singgah, rata juga lorong diterjah, rata juga night market di santai intai-intai jam vintage. Banyak kedai di Hanoi hanya menjual jam-jam model baru baik buatan Swiss atau Jepun. Harga jam-jam baru buatan Swiss dan Jepun tak jauh beza dengan harga di Malaysia cuma diskaunnya terlalu sikit cuma 5% sahaja.

Ada kedai jual jam original dan ada kedai jual jam replika dan ada kedai jual jam original dan letak replika di satu sudut.

Tapi yang diburu adalah jam vintage...

Bukan senang nak cari jam tangan lama. Lebih mudah cari restoran Melayu macam Restoran Annisa milik Sdr Haji Alias Ben Taat, anak kelahiran Johor yang dah beranak pinak di Hanoi.

Buru punya buru akhirnya terjumpa juga tersorok di satu sudut kedai dekat Hang Dao Night Market, seorang nyonya muka tak berapa nak senyum menjual jam-jam lama. Boleh tahan stoknya hampir 60 buah jam. Ada Wyler, ada Citizen, ada Seiko, ada Raketa, ada Poljot, ada Pobeda dan ada banyak lagi jenama Swiss, Jepun dan Russia. Tapi yang paling menarik ada sebiji jam tangan lusoh model Longines.

Cuma semua jam rupa cukup uzur macam jam kutip dari medan perang. Cermin retak, tali hilang dan crown terjulur. Tak kisahlah kerana bukan susah sangat nak baiki kalau kena cara dan harga asalkan jam ori.

Minta nyonya yang tak reti senyum dari tadi keluarkan Longines untuk diamati dengan dekat. Memang sah jam ni dah teruk kena belasah. Cermin retak, crown tak padan, caseback terkopak, nampaknya semua kena tukar. Tu belum lagi tengok enjin. Apa pun kondisi jam masih ok kerana dial tetap cantik.

Nyonya kata harga Longines USD 120.00 sebiji. Hah! Terbeliak biji mata dengar harga yang nyonya letak. Gila ke nyonya ni? Berapa banyak nak minta diskaun kalau jam burok pun diletak harga gila semacam. Tanya balik pada nyonya harga tadi dalam Dong ke USD? Jawab dia confirm USD dan masih tak senyum...

Cadangan asal nak borong kesemua 60 biji jam kalau murah, tersangkut kat situ. Lebih baik beli jam baru kata Tran Hai, yang menemani saya. Tergamam, kami berdua sambil tersenyum buat keputusan cancel cadangan beli jam tangan lama mau pun baru lalu beredar dari situ. Sambil berjalan sempat lagi singgah sekejap di satu kedai lagi, saja tengok-tengok sementara tunggu driver sampai...

Waktu appointment makan dah dekat dan driver pun sampai...

Beredar meluncur ke Restoran Khazaana, restoran India yang jual makanan halal. Nak pekena puri, nan dengan masala kambing. Bila perut kenyang hati pun senang, tak dapat jam pun dah tak kisah.

Lagi pun Barry, seorang lagi kawan kami, anak Malaysia kelahiran Ipoh yang sudah 16 tahun menetap di Hanoi sedang menunggu kami di situ...

HUNTING FOR VINTAGE WATCHES IN VIETNAM

Once a collector will always remain a collector wherever one may be. Been in Hanoi since Wednesday. Between the tight schedule, managed to drag Tran Hai, my Vietnamese friend, the previous night to visit possible sites where vintage watches might be available.

Stopped by many watch shops and galleries, pounded many lanes and combed through a few night markets in the cold Hanoi weather searching for vintage watches. Many shops are selling new watches, Swiss and Japanese models with prices similar to Malaysia with minimal discount of 5%.

There are galleries selling branded Swiss and Japanese original watches, there are shops selling fakes and there are shops selling original watches with counter displaying fakes tuck at a corner.

Still, the hunt was for vintage watches...

Searching for vintage watches in Hanoi proved to be more tedious than locating a Malay restaurant like the Annisa Restaurant owned by Haji Alias Ben Taat, a Johor-born Malaysian who had set base in Hanoi for a long time.

We continued the hunt eventually discovering one little counter tucked at the corner of a shop near Hang Dao Night Market selling old watches that resembled vintages. Took a closer look at the counter. There were some Swiss models like Wyler and Rado, some Japanese models like Citizen and Seiko, some Russian models like Raketa, Poljot and Pobeda closed to 60 pieces.

But the one piece that caught my eyes was a seasoned Longines. Requested the sterned-looking lady seller to take out the Longines for me to examine. Mind you, the Longines was so battered as though it had been salvaged from a war zone. So did the look of other watches. Still, I was thinking of buying up the whole stock of 60 pieces if the prices were affordable. Repairing them later was not going to be a problem since we have an experienced and trusted watch doctor at home.

Got a shock when she quoted USD 120 for that seasoned Longines. Maybe my hearing was playing a trick. Asked again whether the price was in Dong. The face turned sterner and the voice was raised. "USD120 not Dong." replied the lady seller with the uncompromised stern look. Mind you, if that was the price, what is there to bargain then? Mind you, we have yet to check on the authenticity of the watch! The idea to wrap up the whole stock was immediately dropped. It wasn't going to be my day.

Tran Hai suggested we moved on since it was dinner time and Barry, our Ipoh-born Malaysian friend was waiting at the Khazaana, the Indian restaurant serving halal Indian cuisine. A serving of nan, puri, mutton masala and dhal with papadom masala as the starter would definitely warm the cold night in Hanoi.

About the vintage watches,

well, another day, another time, another place and another story...