326. A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR THE NEW YEAR…

By: muzill.mansor

The Hijriah year of 1432 is just three days old. Still not too late to wish ma’al hijriah to all Muslim friends all over the world.

Late last year a good friend of mine, an ex-banker handed over what looked like a battered worn out watch with specific instruction to put life back into the watch. He said the watch, a present from a friend was among his favorite just like his Tag Heuer Link. Unfortunately when it stopped running, it was left idling in the drawer.

I was caught up with quite a number of events and festivities especially kenduris, company’s and club commitments to give the watch a second look.

Luckily the mid-week break gave me a breather.

Took the opportunity during the breather to drop by my watch clinic to have the watch examined.

It was a simple task of resuscitation, swift makeover and light polishing at the cost of a few dimes.

To Reza, here’s your Tonino Lamborghini with a new strap, shining and running.

Indeed it is a case of a new lease of life for a new year...

319.OF BLINK, RADAR NUMBERS AND RAYMOND WEIL…

Nothing much has been written worthy of mention on currency and notes lately. Come to think of it, I don’t recalled writing anything on watches or clocks as well for quite a while. What more a book review.

This book ‘BLINK’ was a present received some time back but never managed to haul myself to complete reading until recently. For those who are looking for some material to loosen up the mind, this book suits you.

What I want to jot down is not the book review rather a preowned piece of RM100 Malaysian currency note tucked in between the pages of the book. I must have placed it there some time back during those initial glances at the book contents.

Turned out this currency note carries a radar number with a ZA series. Placing interesting currency notes in books surfaced from ATM, from a bank counter or a shopping change is supposed to be temporary but most of the time the transit period seemed permanent.

I remember clearly about this RM100 note bearing number ZA 1495941. 

The note was handed to Muzill to make a payment over a counter when he realized that it carries a radar number. Returning the note with a smile, he casually mentioned that I might want to keep the note and requested me to have a second glance.

Indeed it might not be an UNC, still it has a special value…and by the time I took another note, he has already settled the bill. 

I just returned the smile…

Oh yes, what has the book and the radar note got to do with the Raymond Weil? Well, I was wearing this watch when the radar number was rediscovered recently in the BLINK. This RW is a special gift from my better half many years ago and I’ll always treasure this priceless timepiece…

287. OMEGA SEAMASTER NZL - 32 CRONOGRAPH

I stumbled upon this amazing piece of Omega model about two weeks ago. Little did I realize the rich history associated to this limited edition timepiece.

I decided to do a little research only to discover that Omega specially design this model in honour of the victorious Team New Zealand regatta, the boat that won the 1995 Louis Vitton Cup and the 1995 American’s Cup. NZL-32 is the code for the Black Magic, the name of the boat of that victorious NZ team.

The watch was developed in collaboration with Dean Barker, skipper of Team New Zealand. Omega is also the official timekeeper of Team New Zealand.

Omega Seamaster NZL-32 is a chronograph watch with a special five dot indicator. When the chronograph is started, the dots gradually fill with a different color, blue followed by red after interval of five minutes period. Every blue circle denotes one minute has elapsed and five blue circles means five minutes has elapsed followed by one red circle denoting that six minutes have elapsed and so on.

The push buttons are placed on the left at no. 8 and no.10 markers. The case has a screw-in back and crown with water resistance to a depth of 15 bars. This watch comes with stainless steel bracelet.

The watch also has conventional 30-minute and 12-hour timers on sub-dials at the no.3 and 12 markers respectively. Continues seconds is on a sub-dial at the no. 9 marker. The skeleton hour and minute hands are coated with Super-Luminova, and the hands of the chronograph counters are red.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to observe how bright is the luminosity.

The Omega Seamaster NZL-32 is powered by a self-winding COSC certified Omega calibre 3602 movement which produces 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 40-hour power reserve. The Omega 3602 movement is a heavily modified ETA 2892-A2 movement.

For those interested to own this immaculate time piece which was first purchased in Kuwait, it is still available at a reasonable price.

Please be on the lookout when it is place on sale at www.LT Watch Gallery.blogspot.com in a day or two.

282. FRANCK MULLER CASABLANCA : Master of Complications

Our first encounter with a Franck Muller was some time back in 2009 while doing window shopping in KL. A brand new Franck Muller Crazy Hour that was on the window display attracted our attention. That watch was simply magnificent, amazing and dazzling.

A quick glance on the price tag of whooping six digit RM though made us hesitant to push the entrance door. With a smile we just walked away for another day and another encounter.

The opportunity to have a second look at a Franck Muller Crazy Hour came sooner that expected. A month later we had a chance to look at a pre-owned Crazy Hour.

This time around we were quite ready and the five figure RM price tag was quite fair. It was a nice and cool watch. Still we gave a miss as we decided for a different watch that day.

Nevertheless the name of Franck Muller stuck and struck well in our mind as master designer of real exquisite and excellent timepieces.

Last week another Franck Muller reappeared on our radar screen. This time it was a Franck Muller Casablanca with an original brown leather strap complete with a beautiful box, manual and a warranty as displayed in this article.

The salmon pink clean dial with Arabic markers portrays simplicity in elegance. It is very light and very comfortable around the wrist, functions very well and still in immaculate condition.

A Frank Muller is always unique, slick and stylist. The first look itself drew our attention like a magnet.

Considering the impeccable condition it is in, this particular unit of original Casablanca is being offered in the market at an exceptionally reasonable price. It is simply stunning and very tempting...indeed.

Oh yes, it is a limited edition with the number clearly displayed on the case back as no.255.

Just a little bit on the history of Franck Muller for the benefit of quick reading. Franck Muller was born on 11th July 1958 to an Italian German parents in Switzerland. At 15, he joined the famous Geneva School of Watchmaking (French: Ecole d’ Horlogeriede Geneve).

Upon graduation in the early 1980s he began repairing top quality pocket watches. He became close to an independent watch maker, Sven Andersen and was tasked with the handling of Patek Philippe collections. While working on complicated timepieces, he became passionate with their mechanism and started to think about building his own workshop.

In 1984, Franck Muller designed his own Tourbillon wristwatch. Back then, few watchmakers were capable of creating such complicated timepieces apart from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. The list of private clients of Franck Muller continued to swell for new timepieces and his business prospered.

The house of Franck Muller opened in 1991 and his ultra complicated timepieces were instant hits in Europe and America. The phenomenal success of Franck Muller is legendary.

For those who are keen to know more on Franck Muller success story and his creations, information is available at www. Franckmullerusa.com.

275. JUST FOR FRIENDS WITH A ROGER DUBUIS K10 LIMITED EDITION

It was supposed to be a stop over to sight a few pieces of Rolex submariner, Rolex Turn O Graph and a Rolex Explorer II. A kind of get together 'Just for Friends'. The presence of a piece of Roger Dubuis K10 changed the topic of conversation. After all how often does a limited edition of such a superb and brilliant timepiece like a Roger Dubuis turn up in your palm?

I must admit that it was the first Roger Dubuis encounter and for that I have to thank my friend, the great W. He is the kind of watch collector you like to have around. The kind of collector who is always bubbly and excited to display his latest conquest to close pals, irrespective of time and place.

Such a mesmerising sight! Just look at the impressive and dazzling dial. The 'Roger Dubuis K10' distinctive letters spread over the dial and the red strip minute and hour hands, so bold and beautiful and its a diver too.

Only 888 pieces of this limited edition are released into the market and the exclusive photos displayed here are from timepiece no. 003/888

It is fitted with signed crown, silicon straps and signed butterfly buckle.

The only drawback is this Roger Dubuis comes at an exclusive price.

To own this pre-owned piece, one might have to prise open the cheque book with a sackful of ringgit, 'cos my friend, the great W is only willing to part with it at around 60k.

I understand one new unit cost a bit more than RM 100k. So, folks, if you can spare something close to that sum and keen to have a Roger Dubuis K10 LE no.003/888 hugging your wrist, here's your golden chance...me, no thanks, I'm not into that kind of league.

273.I SEE... Ohhh... IWC

I noticed quite a number of my friends who are doctors and lawyers donned IWC watches with large casing. With casing diameter of 50 mm above, IWC watches look pretty thick and solid giving the persons wearing them additional aura of confidence, stability, strength and respectability.

The two images of IWC that are exhibited here were forwarded by MMS to me by a friend as soon as he acquired the watches yesterday from Kuala Lumpur.

Actually those IWC are of the same model but of different colours. He was so excited that the moment he acquired them, he straight away forwarded the images to me.

Have yet to call him but I’ll try to make time in the next few days, that is if I could squeeze through my  tight schedule this week to drop by his place just to have a peek at his latest conquest!

272. A PANERAI HUNTING TRAIL...

A posting by fellow blogger on Panerai last week wetted my appetite to hunt for one. Scouted and enquired around Ipoh seeking for an original Panerai just to have a feel of what it is like to hold one and have a piece of Panerai donning my wrist.

With the assistance of some friends, tracing a piece wasn't that difficult. One piece of pre-owned Panerai Luminor Marina was located at an Ipoh watch gallery being placed there for resale.

Having the honour of touching it and wrapping the strap round the wrist is sheer ecstasy. What more the one that is available is a limited edition no.2040/2600 first purchased in 2005.

The black dial with casing diameter of 44 mm is crystal clear and a pretty sight to watch. The rubber strap hugs well on the wrist and provides a very comfortable wrap.

It might be a diver but I reckon it suits all occasions with its elegant and rounded casing while its chunkiness looks ideal for sports and rugged wear.

Alas, the 44 mm casing diameter is extra large and tend to swallow my wrist so I'm giving this piece a miss to allow fellow collectors the chance to own it. Please refer LT Watch Gallery for sale details.

As for me, there is always a next time...maybe a Panerai with a case diameter of 40 mm will turn up in the next hunting episode.

271.BETWEEN A BREITLING, A JLC REVERSO, OMEGA AND MY NEIGHBOUR.

Popped into my friend's watch gallery a couple of days back only to meet my friendly neighbor, a state GLC CEO trying out a Breitling Super Ocean Heritage 46 in between one or two Omegas. 

There was also a JLC REVERSO 8 DAY POWER RESERVE on sight.

All those watches looked stunningly beautiful and unique in their own right. His preference apparently is a Rolex Turn O graph. Showed him my Turn O Graph, he confirmed that was the one he is keen on.  

Well, sometimes you are caught unaware that your friendly neighbor shares similar hobby. I knew all along that he is a keen photographer.  A keen watch collector... I don’t know ‘really because we had never engaged in any serious discussion on watches.

I left him to continue with his selection, perusing one timepiece after another while I wander around the gallery just to locate another piece for another story for the blog...or perhaps another new piece to add to the collections.

After nearly half an hour, he decided on an elegant Omega Seamaster. A wise choice indeed, whispered myself.

His parting statement to the gallery owner was “Locate another Rolex Turn O Graph and place in stock ready for my next visit.”

Delighted by his new customer and fellow collector, the gallery owner just nodded his head without the slightest clue when that next Rolex is going to roll into his gallery. 

After he left, it was my time to fiddle around with the Breitling , JLC and the Omega.

Never had a Breitling or a JLC before ...hmm, a very tempting proposition!

A simple message learnt from the brief neighbourly encounter is, spend a little more quality time with the neighbours. There are more interesting topics to talk than the boring street politics. You never know a vintage watch might just popped up during those talks.

Thought it might be interesting to display the Breitling Super Ocean Heritage 46, JLC Reverso 8 Day Power Reserve and the Omega Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean available at the gallery and share them with fellow collectors.

Further details, photographs and prices of those watches are displayed at www.LTWatchGallery.blogspot.com 

255. ROLEX SUBMARINER GREEN BEZEL 16610 LV -50th Anniiversary Edition

Been hunting for this 50th anniversary edition for quite a while since getting acquainted to Rolex. I had the pleasure of being offered a few submariner timepieces and have reached the point of getting them examined and price evaluated. Still the green bezel version interest me the most and the desire to hold and examine it is unbearable.

Secured my friend's (the watch gallery owner) help to source a unit for me to get a closer look. He just smiled and promised to address the request on his return from his long planned overseas trip. Coming from him as a man of integrity, you could sense that the promise is considered as job done. With his networking the request was plain easy.

I dropped by his gallery yesterday on knowing that he was back at work. Seeing the broad grin on his face, I knew the green bezel Rolex submariner anniversary edition was around.

The available watch comes from Hong Kong complete with the original box and a valid warranty until May 2011. It's a real beauty and carries aregal look. What makes it more fascinating is the certificate carries a very neat number of 888, a rarity indeed. If one believes in fengshui, this is one hell of a lucky number.

Doesn’t really matter to me though but it is a neat and nice number anyway for a watch.

The condition is really awesome. Clean, beautiful, unpolished without any scratches, even the smell is fresh. Having this timepiece on the palm for closer scrutiny and trying once on the wrist feel really great, wonderful and estatic.

Keeping it for good would be a great option and I think I might just do that.

It would be really worthwhile for green is the colour of freshness, clean, pure and a symbol of sincerity. As such upgrading the watch as the blog's logo would be most appropriate indeed.

251. A SIMPLE PAIR OF KENNETH COLE WATCHES

If you’re looking for a pair of simple, cool, trendy, and inexpensive wrist watches, look no further.

Kenneth Cole line of quartz watches is offering the Reaction Collection at a bargain of less than a grand for a pair. The stainless steel case is fitted with matching black leather strap and is super light.

Spend your loose change and treat yourself and your lady with this pair of Kenneth Cole and see how elegant the pair of watches fit the wrists especially for office wear.

248.ENICAR, THE NANO COLLECTION

Received this super slim watch some years back. Could not remember the exact date but it was a very nice gesture from my son. I have always like Enicar models what more if it is light and easy. Kind of cool and hip.

The present was really a surprise because he was in his third month of working. With his miserable pay as an audit assistant, he must have been tightening his belt really hard to afford the purchase. No wonder he always came back from work...hungry!

I only wear this watch for special occasion. Could not bear thinking what my son has gone through just to please me...a touching gesture indeed.

Specifications

Movement : Quartz

Functions: Hour/ Minute

Case: Stainless steel w/ sapphire crystal

Strap: Stainless steel