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.

The watches that joined the collection in 2014

This is a short video of the watches that joined the collection in 2014.

1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520
2. Ocean7 LM-8 Professional Deep Diver 
3. Disney Parks Authentics Mickey Mouse 
4. Rado Original Diastar Diver Automatic 
5. Omega Seamaster PloProf

My Watch Collection Rules: How I Classify My Collection – Best Diver by Each Brand (Part 4)

In Part 1[1] of a series of articles regarding watch collection rules, I mentioned the importance of following your own set of rules for this hobby. The first that I follow is to categorize my collection to movement types. In Part 2[2], I mentioned about category types. In Part 3[3] I follow material types.

In this fourth installment of the series, I explained about acquiring the best diver watch each brand can produce.

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.

Disney Parks Authentics Gears Link Mickey Mouse Watch Automatic - It is practical, robust and looks really good on the wrist, A Review [UPDATED]

I recently came back from a very enjoyable holiday at Disney World Orlando, Florida. One of my goals for the trip is to get a Disney watch as a memento of trip. At one of the parks, at Epcot, I found this watch, the Disney Parks Authentics Gears Link Mickey Mouse automatic watch.

The listed price was USD200 but I got a 20% discount by virtue of one of many deals available to guests at the park.

The watch comes with a very nice tin box painted with the image of Mickey Mouse. It opens from a lid at the top with no hinges.