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.

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.

Steinhart TRITON 1000 Titanium Titan - A Rugged Watch Spoiled by Quality Control Issues, A Review (with Video)

Recently I received an email from Gnomon Watches (http://www.gnomonwatches.com/) about a new watch released from Steinhart. A new diver under the Triton range of professional dive watches. I was smitten by the image shown on the email and after reading the specifications on the watch, I immediately decided to grab one. The factor that sealed the deal was the titanium material used and its water rating of 1000 meters.

After going through the customary purchasing process, I started to patiently wait for the watch to arrive from Singapore. Although there is a good chance it would be stopped by customs for GST payment, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was released and it arrived on my desk within four days after making the order; more about this later.

The Triton 1000 is the latest offering by Steinhart. This latest iteration has a new casing design, uses a new material for the casing; titanium, and incorporate an automatic HEV mechanism. As a complete package, this model can withstand 1000 meters of water pressure.

The watch is sizeable. The casing is 45 mm wide with a 24 mm lug width. Its height is 15 mm. Despite the impressive dimensions, the weight is just 144 gm due to the use of titanium. If you like big dive watches, the combination comes together nicely.

Steinhart Ocean One Titanium 500 Premium - Best Watch on a Budget, A Review

I not had the opportunity to get my hands on a Steinhart watch before. The diving watch styling of Steinhart is too close to the Rolex Submariner design. I don’t particularly like getting something that is too close to an original especially when it is still in production. However, when Steinhart launched the Ocean One Titanium 500 Premium, back in 2015, I was hooked. In fact, a lot of other people also had the same view like mine and the watch is always out of stock due to strong demand. Finally, after a year of trying, I got my hands on one.

The spirit behind the brand is Mr. Guenter Steinhart. He studied architecture and engineering in Munich, Germany. He was interested in making watches that looks good, shows the quality and above all inexpensive to the masses. He set up shop in the Jura region of Switzerland. Ever since the first Steinhart came off the production line, the brand continues to grow a strong following of fans due to its affordability.

OCEAN7 LM5 GMT - A perfect gentleman's watch in every sense, A Review

If you have been following my collection journey especially on the Ocean7 Watch Company, I already have three of its offerings (The LM8, Airnautic Early Bird and the LM3 V2). This latest acquisition will be the fourth. The LM5 GMT has been touted to be one of the most beautiful diver given the use of sapphire not only as a material for the crystal covering the dial but also as the base material for the bezel itself.

I like doing business with Ocean7 Watch Company. The owner, Mitchell Feig, keep close connections with the people who have bought, and will eventually buy, his watches.

Head to Head: Omega Seamaster PloProf Reference 224.32.55.21.01.001 Versus The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Reference M116660-0001

It is the clash of titans. This is how best to describe when this two giants from the houses of Omega and Rolex go head-to-head on a no-holds-barred comparative review. What is the prize? To be crowned as the better deep diver.

Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200 M Omega Co-Axial 55 x 48 mm Steel on Rubber Strap Reference 224.32.55.21.01.001 - Its true KPI is how well it continues ticking after being abused, A Review

A watch brand's ultimate professional diving watch. This is one sub-category of my collection philosophy that I have tried to keep with some degree of success.

Since my acquisition of the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller, I have slowly assembled a collection of the best diving watches a brand could create by a few respective watch brands. As at today, I have in my collection the following brand/highest specification dive watch:

1. Rolex/Deepsea Sea-Dweller
2. Deep Blue/Depthmaster 
3. Ocean7/LM-8
4. Bell & Ross/BR02-92 
5. Victorinox/Dive Master Black Ice
6. Orient/Pro Saturation Diver 
7. Citizen/Promaster Autozilla
8. Seiko/Marinemaster Emperor Tuna

Before the close of 2014, I was able to add on to that list. This time, a 'grail' watch from Omega - The Seamaster PloProf. The story how I got the watch is interesting.

Rado Original Diastar Diver Automatic Model R12639023 - Not too big and can be used for active lifestyles as well as formal functions, A Review (updated with comments from a reader)

Rado..... This is one brand that has never been in my list of "must-have". However, from a technological point of view, I have been following this brand very closely. The way Rado has been able to use exotic materials for its watch designs intrigues me.

Of all the Rado designs available, I like the turtle-shaped watch casing the best. This style is under the Original Diastar line of watches. When I stumbled upon the Model R12639023, I was blown away. It has most of my favorite watch designs namely an internal bezel, sapphire crystal and (of course) the turtle-shaped watch casing. It is only at this point that I realised how difficult it was to source for this particular model.

Although Rado is part of the Swatch Group and has a formal presence in Kuala Lumpur with a few boutiques and a number of authorised dealers across the city, none carries the complete range of current models. After going to various Rado authorised dealers, it dawned on me this particular model is unique and not easily available. I was tempted to source it via the internet. As this would be my first Rado, I was hesitant to search the internet as I would prefer to review it physically first before making the plunge to buy. Moreover, if I do decide to get it from the internet, it would have to come from an internet merchant that I not had any experience with. It was only after I spoke to a resourceful salesman from AWG Fine Watches in Mid Valley that he was able to source one for me via the Swatch Group at a cost matching the internet price!

This is very interesting. It implies that we can bargain and get a price similar to what internet merchants are selling. The notion that brick-and-mortar shops cannot offer prices like internet merchants due to fixed costs is not necessarily true.

Ocean7 LM-8 Professional Deep Diver - With a Swiss movement and a ceramic bezel, this diver rocks, A Review

Ocean7 Watch Company is a small micro-brand American company operating from Coral Springs, Florida. It is creation of owner Mitchell Feig. He has created a transparent operation which means he keep close, even personal, connections with the people who have bought, and will eventually buy, his watches. From the beginning, Ocean7 started building not only watches, but watch collectors. Daily, one can find Mitch conversing with owners, collectors, and soon-to-be both on the Ocean7 forum and the Watchuseek Ocean7 forum. This is how Mitch gets input and advice from his customers.

OCEAN7 design objective is to create beautiful watches that are tough and functional. Use of new case materials, hardening concepts, and construction methods also endears the brand to its growing legion of enthusiasts. Apart from stainless steel, the company has used ceramic and titanium. The best thing of all is the price point which is sometimes unbelievably low.

I am what you would like to call a fan of the brand. I already own the Airnautic Early Bird and the LM3 V2 1250m Dive Watch. I got my eyes on three more before Ocean7 announced the launch of the LM8 late 2013. Now there are four that I have to prioritize. I decided to go for the LM8 first. I shall explain why later.

OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial - A Great Tool Watch That Can Take A Beating, A Review

This OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Reference 2208.50.00 was a gift to my wife back in 2010. I bought it to commemorate her obtaining an open water diving certification. This watch has the "600 M" stamp that denotes its capability to operate down to a depth of 600 meters. A very serious tool watch.

OMEGA launched the Planet Ocean line in 2005. This model, with its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, features a black dial with a date window at the 3 o’clock position. The orange unidirectional rotating divers’ bezel is mounted on a 45.5 mm stainless steel case on a stainless steel bracelet. To put it in perspective the diving capability of this watch, the 600 metres is equivalent to 2000 feet or 60 bar. The Co-Axial calibre 2500 is at the heart of this certified chronometer.

Invicta 8926 Pro Diver Automatic Watch - A Weird Hommage Wannabe, A Review

This is the first Invicta that I own. I bought it on October 4, 2011 for US$73.83 (US$84.82 with postage) from Amazon. At that time I just started into watch collecting and when I saw it on Amazon and such a price, I just immediately put in an order.

Ocean7 Airnautic Early Bird - The "Pepsi" Bezel Makes It Striking, A Review

An interesting watch design that I have always been interested in is the 24 hour watch concept. For every 24 hours, the hour hand only moves one rotation around the dial. Reading the dial becomes a unique experience.

Originally I was looking the Glycine brand which has a few models using the 24 hour watch concept. However, the price was too much for me so I decided put this pursuit on the back burner.

When I got my LM3 from Ocean7 (see here for the review of that particular watch), I noticed that Ocean7 also has a watch with such a concept. The best thing of all is that it is cheap and designed as a diver as well, two of my primary criteria when trolling for watches.

After aggregating the necessary funds to make the purchase, I made the order via its website http://www.ocean7watchco.com/store/ and before long, the watch was in my hands.

OCEAN7 LM3 V2 1250m Dive Watch - Can Be Used In Formal As Well As Sporty Settings, A Review

My first experience with the Ocean7 brand. I was intrigued by their designs especially on dive watches. The price and the specifications on the watches also seems value-for-money. I took a chance and chose the LM3 V2. After making the necessary purchase via their website, I waited patiently for the watch to arrive.

I did not have to wait for long. In a few days, the watch was on my table. The watch box was very nice. It has the watch, mail bracelet, and some stickers. I read from other reviewers that they got temporary tattoos instead of stickers.

Since I got an option for either the rubber strap or the mail bracelet (or Milanese bracelet) , I chose the letter. After making the adjustments, I put it on my wrist.

Deep Blue Pro Seadiver 1k Blue Dial - An Excellent Practical Sports Watch, A Review

This watch gave me my first experience of Deep Blue, a brand from America (Subsequently I got another Deep Blue. Click here to see a review on that model). I chance to see it on Amazon and the price quoted of approximately USD250+ got me interested to know more. Two specifications that stood out were the use of automatic movement in a casing that can withstand 1,000 meters of water pressure.

After making the decision to get it, I made my order and within a week it is on my table.

Deep Blue Depthmaster 3000m Green - A Monster From The Deep, A Review

Apart from my Rolex Deep Sea Sea Dweller which I reviewed earlier, I do own another extreme dive watch with a depth rating of 3,000 meters. From the brand Deep Blue, the Depthmaster 3000m Green is cheaper, bigger, heavier and more tool-like when compared to the Rolex DSSD.

This watch is designed with a singular purpose; to enable extreme divers make it their first choice watch for diving. Deep Blue went on to make its creation tool-like and affordable for the normal Joe.

The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea Reference M116660-0001 - A Technological Marvel And A Brute To Wear

The Rolex Deepsea was designed with the singular purpose; to enable extreme divers to make it their first choice watch for diving. Rolex incorporates the need for styling to cater for connoisseurs.

The Rolex Deepsea is water resistant to a depth of 3,900 metres (12,800 feet). The 44 mm case is made out of 904L stainless steel with thick 5 mm domed sapphire crystal and unidirectional rotatable bezel with a 60-minute graduated, scratch-resistant Cerachrom insert in ceramic, numerals and graduations coated in platinum.

Featuring the Rolex 3135 Automatic movement, this one undoubtedly a robust watch with a tough movement that already certified by COSC and featuring stop-second and quick date change. Its balance, that receives an accurate microstella screw setting, beats 28.000 alternations/hour and is now endowed with the Parachrom spiral. The rotor moves in both ways for a better winding.

Bell & Ross BR02-92 Pro Dial Diver Watch - A French Connection (Updated)

Recently, I got the chance to acquire a new Bell & Ross BR02-92 Pro Dial dive watch courtesy of a closing down sale at a high-end watch shop in Kuala Lumpur. It was damn good deal.

The shape of the BR02 is a mix between the iconic square case of the Aviation series and the traditional round case of the Vintage series. Coupled with an internal bezel instead of external like other typical dive watches, it is quite common for people to initially assume it to be a sports watch or even a dress watch before recognizing its true design role.

Victorinox Dive Master 500 Black Ice Mechanical - A Well Balanced Dive Watch Design

Victorinox is synonymous with its famous red pocket knife. This is a company over a century old. Not a lot of people know that the company also has a watch division established in 1989. For the last two decades, a number of notable watch designs were introduced. One model that got me interested in this brand is the Dive Master. In 2012, I got myself the 500m Black Ice Mechanical in blue.

Lum-Tec 500M-2 Dive Watch - A Watch That Can Take On An Extreme Environment And Within The Means Of The Normal Joe

When it comes to watch brands, due to the prolific manufacturing capacity of original equipment manufacturers (or OEM) in China, many new brands are born every year. I tend to disregard these upstarts until they have proven themselves with a clever design that tickles my fancy. For me, one brand that fulfill my criteria at the moment is Lum-Tec. Established in 2008, this company is currently owned by the original founder, Mr Chris Wiegand - President. A USA based company, Lum-Tec has a watch making spirit that is seldom seen in many brands.

The model I have from from Lum-Tec is the 500M-2. This watch has a depth rating of 500 meters and come standard with rubber straps. Powered by a mechanical movement, casing made out of 316L stainless steel and with sapphire crystal to cover the dial.

When I got the piece, the package also included a personal letter from the Mr Wiegand expressing his thanks for the purchase. I felt honored by that gesture.

For more visit: http://www.lum-tec.com/about-lumtec.