TUDOR Heritage Black Bay 'Midnight Blue' Rivet Steel Bracelet Reference M79230B-0001 - Simple, non-complicated timepiece, A Review (plus Video)

When Tudor announced back in 2015 that the brand will start to ship its watches with in-house movement instead of using external parties' such as ETA got me interested in the brand. After a few years, I finally got the Pelagos. Now, I am in a position to be able to acquire the Black Bay with the in-house movement.

The Black Bay is synonymous with Tudor. Since its release in 2012, a lot of watch collectors have a spot in their collection that earmarked for the Black Bay. For many budget conscious collectors, it has the pedigree yet not the expected price premium generally associated with such an icon.

The Tudor Heritage Black Bay is an icon. The genesis started from the Tudor Oyster Prince Submariner reference 7922 back in 1954. It was a self-winding watch and features a case with a screw-down back and a crown with 100 meter water pressure rating. Very practical in design, well proportioned and excellently built. I love to have it in my collection.

TUDOR Pelagos Titanium 500 meter Blue Dial Dive Watch Reference M25600TB-0001 (similar to M25600TN-0001 & M25610TNL-0001) - Despite some issues, the watch is still pleasant to wear and can be worn for a long time without getting tired, A Review (plus Video)

I finally got my first Tudor watch!

There are a number of exciting examples under this brand. After giving it some thought, I decided to get its most advance tool watch, the Pelagos. The model I chose is the blue dial version reference M25600TB-0001.

Tudor is part of the Rolex Group of companies. When the original founder of Rolex, Mr. Hans Wilsdorf decided that he needed another series of watches with the same level of manufacturing standard as Rolex but sold at a lower price point, the idea of a separate company, the Tudor watch company was born.

Today, the price deferential between contemporary models between Rolex and Tudor is 1:2. If you want to own a piece of Rolex manufacturing quality and standard without the premium associated with that premium brand, Tudor is an excellent alternative.

As a product, the new Tudor Pelagos is 100% made in house by the manufacture. Although Tudor previous uses the ETA movement to power its watches, in 2015, the brand launched it first series of house movements. Since then, Tudor has slowly incorporate its in house movements across the various models in its collection.

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Takeoff Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Reference H76786733 - All the right combinations for that evergreen look, A Review (plus Video)

"Hamilton is taking its close cooperation with Air Zermatt, the Swiss mountain rescue service, to new heights with the Khaki Takeoff Auto Chrono Limited Edition. This pilot watch, which simultaneously acts as a wrist-, cockpit- and table watch, has been created to meet the needs of the rescue team. True to its cockpit instrument inspiration, the contemporary pilots’ timepiece has a bi-directional turning flange, driven by the bezel, which has the capacity to record a countdown. Limited edition of 1,999 pieces."

Above is the official description of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Takeoff Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition Reference H76786733 (from now onwards I shall refer to it as the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Takeoff) as seen on the Company's website. Honestly, although I have never heard of Air Zermatt, I respect Hamilton for making the effort of recognising the contribution of the rescue organisation. Nevertheless, the focus of my interest only lies in the concept of the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Takeoff as it has all the design cues that I find exciting, bold and quirky.

Steinhart Ocean Vintage GMT – Rugged and Refined, A Review (plus Video)

I currently own a few Rolexes (see the models I have in the collection by clicking here: Rolex Collection) and two of my current targets are the Explorer II and the Yacht-Master II. Unfortunately, prices have sky-rocketed and it has been a chasing game. In the meantime, I’ve decided to feed my craving by experiencing examples made by other brands as homage to my targets. The Steinhart Ocean Vintage GMT is one such example that I’m keen on as it is designed as homage to the Rolex 1655, the inaccurately nicknamed "Steve McQueen" Explorer II. In reality, the actor has never worn a 1655 (for more see: http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2001/02/complete-history-of-steve-mcqueen.html).

All of you may be wondering why this particular homage since it does not look similar to the latest Rolex Explorer II. The honest truth is that I still have hopes of getting the latest Explorer II in the near future. This homage to a 1655 is just similar enough to get the necessary familiarity with the original.

OMG Moment: Rubber Strap Failure on my Laco 1925 Squad Atacama “Ninja” Reference 861632

Took out my Laco 1925 Squad Atacama to wear the other day and it was fine. After the end of a long day, before I went to bed, I took it off and put it on the dressing table.

Bell & Ross Bag

I got this bag from the AD of Bell & Ross Malaysia as a gift in one of their event. Well made and very study with a lot of space.

An OMG Moment: Broken Crown Stem, Aristo Flieger Automatic 3H114 Pilot Watch

Last month, I faced another OMG moment. This time, something even more serious that the previous OMG moment; a broken crown stem of my Aristo Flieger 3H114 Watch.

I was wearing it when I suddenly hit the crown at a corner of a wall. The hit was so precise that it sheared off the crown from the stem cleanly. There was no other damage on the watch.



Unfortunately, there is no service center for Aristo here in Kuala Lumpur. I will have to sent it to an independent service center. Major problem is to get a crown with a similar style. I tried emailing Aristo about a spare but the email was not answered. Therefore, I decided to get an OEM crown.



The OEM crown chosen was a large cylinder shape with gear tooth sides. Couldn't get the same grey-brushed surface tone as the watch casing. The crown is more brushed stainless steel in surface tone.

I guess this is my first Frankenstein watch!

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