258. BETWEEN THE TWO BALL TIMEPIECES

Got an MMS yesterday afternoon from a friend also an avid watch collector and owner of a watch gallery, featuring a blue face of a new watch. On closer look it is the face or dial of a wrist watch with the word BALL clearly spelled on the face.

Straight away gave him a call. It’s always his style sending images without any wording or explanation. If details are required then one has to give him a call. He will always giggle first after the customary hello. He got a kick by giving surprises and tempting us, his friends and fellow collectors on new releases and new stocks.

He said he has just received two units of brand new BALL wrist watches. There are many enquiries from fellow collectors especially when both are displayed at his gallery. I told him to hold both the watches and only release to others after I’ve sighted both later in the evening.

Actually I’ve sighted a few BALL models on my walkabout the other day at the Midvalley Megamall, KL. Kind of like the look and the name especially knowing the rich history of BALL watch which is synonymous to American Rail.

Anyway back to the story of the available BALLs at my courtyard. There are two available, the white dial and the blue dial automatic. Just have a look at the two. I think you would agree with me that both are equally stunning, clean, neat and beautiful.

The price quoted too is reasonable, much cheaper than some of the pre-owned watches and vintage watches now offered on the market. Both the watches come with the original box, certificate and international guarantee.

257. VINTAGE OMEGA SEAMASTER COSMIC 2000 AUTOMATIC

This timepiece is one of the earliest Omegas in our collections. Picked up this timepiece from a friend because he was very persistent in convincing us that what he was offering is a unique watch. We didn’t really know the significance of this Omega due to lack of information at that time. Still, we acceded to our friend’s request which much later proved to be a very prudent decision.

He was of the opinion that a true collector always updates and upgrades the collections.

Though the golden shine has long faded through time, we find this Omega still gorgeous, beautiful and unique and charming like a matured princess. The fact that you can dislodge the whole piece of dial, engine and crown from the block makes it more fascinating.

Whenever opportunity arises to drop by this friend’s place, this watch tags along. The sparkle in his eyes and the smile on his face on sighting that the watch is being worn just make his day.

Since that eventful purchase, a few more vintage Swiss made models from his well-kept collections have rolled into ours.

True friendship means sharing alike what is priceless and closes at heart!

256. KELAB BAKTI GUNUNG KELEDANG- PRESIDEN BARU, ILTIZAM BARU

Mesyuarat pertama Kelab Keledang sessi tahun 2010 tengahari tadi di Ipoh Club berjalan lancar. Sdr Dr Zakaria selaku Presiden nampak bersemangat sekali memulakan tugas hari ini.

Tugas pertamanya tadi adalah memberi kebenaran kepada Sdr Razali Khalid mengumumkan barisan kabinet Kelab tahun 2010 terdiri dari:

Sdr Dr Zakaria Abdul Kadir- Presiden

Sdr Razali Khalid – Naib Presiden

Sdr Megat Shaarani - Setiausaha

Sdr Muzill Mansor - Bendahari

Sdr Dato’ Ishak Hj Mohamad-Ketua Biro Ehwal Kelab

Sdr Dato’ Azmi Othman -Ketua Biro Kebajikan

Sdr Dr Hj Murshid -Ketua Biro Pelajaran

Sdr Hj Mustapha Mohamad -Ketua Biro Ekonomi

Sdr Ir Khairul Anwar Masud-Bekas Presiden Terakhir

Sdr Presiden mengalu-alukan cadangan program/aktiviti tahun 2010. Mesyuarat hari ini juga membicarakan beberapa isu panas masakini yang membabitkan masyarakat Melayu dan Islam di Malaysia dan pendirian Kelab sebagai sebuah badan NGO.

Ahli-ahli yang hadir seramai 24 orang termasuk tetamu diberi peluang untuk memberi pendapat dan pandangan tentang isu-isu tersebut serta tentang halatuju kelab untuk tahun 2010.

Semoga Sdr Dr Zakaria dan barisan kabinetnya dapat menjana dana berganda dan memandu Kelab menjayakan lebih banyak program/aktiviti untuk masyarakat.

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.

254. THE YEAR THAT WAS...

2009 was quite an eventful year. I was blessed with good health, good tidings and many accomplishments. Business projects initiated were successfully completed and along the way gained experience on what true friendship means.

It was also the year I revisited my interests in currencies and vintage watches collections. The hobbies that soon got the better of me and in no time I was blogging about those hobbies. Many postings done and many genuine friends with similar interests get acquainted. By December, the collections viz. old currency notes, vintage watches, pre-owned watches and new watches just swelled up and the inventories list grew longer. The hobbies drained lots of precious time and resources but on the other hand knowledge on currencies and watches accumulated.

At many points in time, I began to question the rationality of pursuing the hobbies pondering whether I have been overzealous and need to abandon or curtail in order to concentrate on earning my upkeeps and spending more time tackling some other worthwhile activities like community services.

Questions that keep lingering in my mind...

Well, I reckon the answer lies in the heart and what one wants or likes to do while striking the right balance in life.

As of now, I think I will just continue to do what I have been happy doing before. I have passed the half century mark, so that’s not much life left in me, so to speak.

I saw this caption on a desk calendar “Time only seems to matter when it’s running out.” Kind of agree though like to add "...and people seem to matter only when they have ran out of time."

So, a little indulgence on my hobbies wouldn’t do any harm I guess while at the same time pursue my interest in community services.

WELCOME 2010...

253. Ingersoll Pennsylvania Limited Edition Watch

American brothers, Robert and Charles Ingersoll are famous in the watchmaking world for hitting many firsts and developing innovative designs that were affordable for the man on the street.

They developed their automated production process for wristwatches in 1892 and Ingersoll is now one of the oldest American watch brand.

Ingersoll is famed for the “Dollar Watch”. Costing a dollar, or a day's pay back then, this watch became known around the world. It acquired the name “Yankee” and made the Ingersoll brothers well-known.

These days, the Ingersoll quality timepieces are still retail at very affordable prices. Elegant designs, contemporary looks and reliability remained as the signature of this popular brand.

One of the limited editions model released in 2009 is the Pennsylvania range. At less than two grands, this rose gold, sapphire-fitted crown, dual time sub dials, 45 jewel automatic, sophisticated and complicated watch with seven hands on its dial can easily rolled into any collectors inventory.

I reckon once in a while, a timepiece with a little complication would be fun to wear.

Specification:

Model: IN4403RWH from the Pennsylvania Range
LIMITED EDITION
High Quality 45 Jewel Automatic 'Battery-Free' Movement
Rose Gold Stainless Steel Case
Circular Dial
White Dial
Dual Time Sub Dials
Time Zone 1 Sub Dial features Rose Gold Hands & Numerical Hour Markers
Time Zone 2 Sub Dial features Metallic Blue Hands & Roman Numeral Hour Markers
Black Minute Markers
Metallic Blue Seconds Hand
Power Indicator with Metallic Blue Hand
Retrograde Date Display with Metallic Blue Hand
Stainless Steel Caseback
Screw Down Caseback
'Skeleton' Movement Window in Caseback
3 ATM / 30m Water Resistant
Genuine Brown Leather Strap
7 Hole Adjustable Strap
Rose Gold Stainless Steel Deployment Clasp
Prominent Branding on Dial, Case back, Clasp & Strap
Presentation Box
Instruction Manual
12 Month Manufacturers Guarantee

Retail price:RM1420/USD 405 before discount

Dimensions:

Strap Length: 240mm
Strap Width: 19mm
Face Diameter: 45mm
Face Depth: 14mm
Weight: 110g

252. SEIKO SPORTURA HONDA F1 ULTIMATE KINETIC CHRONOGRAPH

Much has been written on the Seiko history, Seiko models, Seiko Museum and Seiko tradition of fine Japanese watch making. Seiko, the official timekeeper for two summer Olympiads and three winter Olympiads must have produced thousands of fine models throughout its 128 years of existence.

This write up highlights the model that was produced as a result of collaboration between Seiko and Honda, each a giant in their own line of industry. Honda, as widely reported has withdrawn from the F1 Grand Prix effective 2010 season. That makes this limited edition model more prominent and a must -own time piece to watch collectors, particularly the Seiko collectors.

Retailed at RM19,818.00/USD5,662.00 before discount, one unit is still available at an Ipoh watch gallery awaiting the right collector to bring it home.

It’s elegant, solid and quite heavy . This beautifully hand crafted time piece is a sheer joy just to feel and touch, what more to own it and have it on the wrist once in a while.

The price might be a bit stiff but I reckon in time to come, it’ll be a very prudent investment.

Specifications

*Kinetic

* Chronograph up to 12 hours in 1/10 second increments

*Stainless Steel Case/Hard Coating

*100m Water Resistant

*Curved Sapphire Crystal Glass

*Three Fold Clasp with Push Button Release

*See through Case back

*Separate Display of all Functions

*Duration of Full Charge: approximately 1 month

*Limited Edition of 750

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.

250. HAPPY TWENTY FIRST BIRTHDAY, ILI

Today is her big day. Big enough to vote in an election and big enough to be voted in as a wakil rakyat. Well, macam la dia suka sangat politik nie...

Back to the hunt for the right watch, after locking in Tissot, the hunt for DKNY continues...

With the elusive DKNY finally bagged, she made one big decision today. She elected to wear one watch on each wrist. A Tissot and a DKNY secured today on her day of maturity age.

FROM AYAH, IBU, ABANG, ANGAH AND AKAK,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ILI...

249. THE TWO-WATCHED COUPLE: THE TISSOT’S

Took time off today to be with my youngest daughter,ILI, for a little shopping. Walked into a number of watch boutiques, watch galleries and watch shops at the Mid Valley, Megamall, going through various brands and models.

Corum, Ball, Bell and Ross, Frederick Constance, Haurex, Tag Heuer, D&G, Seiko, CK, Fossil, Cerutti, Edox and many others. There were so many models with lots of interesting variations. Most of them anyway are dress watches and very suitable for adults. Nothing much for generation Y to choose.

So, we just walked away after trying out quite a number. Going in and coming out of so many shops without securing a catch seemed labourious and bordering boredom.

Ili kind of gave up until we spotted the Tissot Gallery. A smiling young lady greeted us at the entrance. Something interesting about the lady attracted our attention. Yes, she was wearing two watches, one on each wrist. As soon as we stepped in, we spotted another young man wearing similar uniform also with two watches.

Curiosity took the better of us. Instead of asking the models available, I straight way asked about the two-watches situation. With a giggle, Rei, the young lady explained that it was company's policy for staff to adorn personal watch plus the Tissot model supplied by the company.

Ok, I guess that’s good marketing and promotion strategy. Proceeded to glance through a few models and after much deliberations, Ili managed to zero in one model good enough for her to say yes and for me to part with a few bucks.

Still, I’m convinced that this is not her real choice. She did say later that she wanted to see some DKNY models.

No matter, the sight of Rei and her partner adorning two watches each lingers on our minds as we walked out of the gallery...