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.

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.

Alpina Pilot Automatic Startimer 44 mm Reference AL-525B4S6 Limited Edition of 8888 pieces (#2000) – Sold at a price point that belies its provenance, A Review (plus Video)

The pilot watch is a theme that I have been quietly drawn to. This time, I’ve decided to look at the Alpina Startimer series as good candidate for my collection. I did find one I like and it’s the basic three hand plus date model. The Startimer Reference AL-525B4S6 was the choice I made with a limited production run of just 8,888 examples. The particular unit I got was numbered 2,000.

I think my taste has changed. Usually I get excited with dive watches. However, as the years rolled by, I am attracted to simpler and more formal styles of watches. A pilot watch is one of the new found interests to me. I find it more flexible when it comes to usage especially within a formal event.

Alpina Watches was established 1883, making them one of the oldest brands currently in production. Founded by Gottlieb Hauser, Alpina made watches in both Switzerland and Glashütte. In 1938, Alpina introduced durable sport watches with the “Alpina 4” concept, a set of standards that includes anti-shock, waterproof, anti-magnetic and a stainless steel case. In 2002, Alpina was bought by the founders of Frederique Constant. They have several themed ranges, but the most numerous is their line of pilot watches.

AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Automatic Pilot Watch AV-4017-02 – A Cheap Mechanical Pilot Watch, A Review (plus videos)

The Specification

UK-based AVI-8 Watches is a fashion watch stylist in my view. In a short period of time they have managed to roll out an extensive line of timepieces; a manufacturing strategy not adopted by any ‘serious’ watchmaker but you will see being done by fashion houses such as Fossil, Daniel-Wellington and others.

I don’t usually cover these brands as I find the inputs they have on their products are generally minimal. They may be the original designers, but the manufacturing process is totally contracted out to OEM manufacturers typically in China. However, I made an exception for the AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane Automatic Pilot Watch with the reference AV-4017-02 because of a few unique features.
The AVI-8 Hawker Hurricane AV-4017-02 is a mechanical timepiece with a pilot watch design. Made out of 316L stainless steel, the watch is 44 mm wide and 14 mm thick. Its lug width is 22 mm.

Hamilton Khaki Field King Automatic Ref: H64455133 - A well balanced watch, A Review

This is my second Hamilton watch. When I bought my Hamilton khaki Field Officer Auto H70615733 (http://westernwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/hamilton-khaki-field-officer-auto.html) back in 2013, I was on my way to Jakarta. This time around, I got another Hamilton on the way to Jakarta. The watch that I got is the Hamilton Khaki Field King Automatic H64455133.

I had to take four links out of the bracelet to allow me to wear it comfortably.

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

Short video on how a Hamilton Officer Field Khaki watch would like on a wrist

Here is a short video on how a Hamilton Officer Field Khaki watch would like on a wrist. For more on this watch, please visit: Hamilton khaki Field Officer Auto H70615733 - An Unassuming Yet Strong Character, A Review

A short video on how the Omega Planet Ocean Cal.2500 would look like on a wrist plus the movement of the second-hand

A short video on how the Omega Planet Ocean Cal.2500 would look like on a wrist plus the movement of the second-hand. For more please visit: OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial - A Great Tool Watch That Can Take A Beating, A Review

Short Video on the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520 - how it would look like on your wrist

This is a short video on how the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520 would look like on a wrist. For a full write-up visit: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116520 - A Grail Watch To Own, A Review

Short video on how the Ingersoll Mickey Mouse 30's Collection Watch looks on a wrist and the movements on the dial

This is a short video on how the Ingersoll Mickey Mouse 30's Collection watch would look on a wrist plus the turn of the second's sub-dial. For more information visit: Ingersoll Mickey Mouse 30’s Collection Watch – So Cute And Full Of Magic & Wonder

Short video on how a Bell & Ross 02 dive watch would look on a wrist plus the sweep of the second hand

This is a short video on how a Bell & Ross 02 dive watch would look on a wrist plus the sweep of the second hand. For more information visit: Bell & Ross BR02-92 Pro Dial Diver Watch - A French Connection

Short Video on the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 39 mm Reference 214270 on a wrist

This is a short video of how the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 39 mm Reference 214270 watch looks on my wrist. For a complete review visit: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer 39 mm Reference 214270 – An Improved Incarnation Of A Classic

Short Video on Lum-Tec 500M-2 Dive Watch

This is a short video of how the Lum-Tec 500M-2 Dive Watch look on my wrist. For a complete review visit: Lum-Tec 500M-2 Dive Watch - A Watch That Can Take On An Extreme Environment And Within The Means Of The Normal Joe

Short Video on Victorinox Dive Master 500 Black Ice Mechanical

This is a short video on how the Victorinox Dive Master 500 Black Ice Mechanical looks like on my wrist. For a complete review on this watch visit: Victorinox Dive Master 500 Black Ice Mechanical - A Well Balanced Dive Watch Design

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.

Rolex Milgauss 116400GV - Short Video On The Second Hand Movement

A short video of the movement of the second hand of the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV. For more, visit: Rolex Milgauss 116400GV - Solid And Youthful, A Watch Review



For more on other Rolex models in the collection, please visit: http://westernwatch.blogspot.com/search/label/Rolex.