The Socially Incorrect

An acquired taste in fine wrist watches.
The Hamilton Ventura timepiece has been with the Men In Black series since its debut. Ten years later, Hamilton re-introduced its timepiece of choice for the series with the all new Ventura XXL as its official timepiece for Men In Black 3. With high end horology becoming more and more popular these days, the makers at Hamilton opted for an automatic version of the Ventura, powered by the widely used and robust ETA-2824 movement instead of a battery powered module like its original. The piece also increases its dimensions to keep up with the fashion trend of big watches. Measuring at 46mm and 45.5mm, the watch is not to be compared with standard round and square watches, as the triangle shape makes it harder to visualize the size different among its peers. Perhaps a better view of how large the piece is, shown in the photo below, side by side with the original from 1969. The new Ventura XXL for M.I.B. 3 is limited to 999 pieces and is available for $ 1,345 USD. Be sure to check out the official website for more details. Article published at FN Mag. (Source: Monochrome)

The Hamilton Ventura timepiece has been with the Men In Black series since its debut. Ten years later, Hamilton re-introduced its timepiece of choice for the series with the all new Ventura XXL as its official timepiece for Men In Black 3. With high end horology becoming more and more popular these days, the makers at Hamilton opted for an automatic version of the Ventura, powered by the widely used and robust ETA-2824 movement instead of a battery powered module like its original. The piece also increases its dimensions to keep up with the fashion trend of big watches. Measuring at 46mm and 45.5mm, the watch is not to be compared with standard round and square watches, as the triangle shape makes it harder to visualize the size different among its peers. Perhaps a better view of how large the piece is, shown in the photo below, side by side with the original from 1969.

The new Ventura XXL for M.I.B. 3 is limited to 999 pieces and is available for $ 1,345 USD. Be sure to check out the official website for more details.

Article published at FN Mag.

(Source: Monochrome)

The rise of what watch collectors like to call the 21st century golden age of watchmaking also marks the rise of the big watch syndrome. In today’s fashion standards, a 42mm case diameter watch is considered the bare minimum of what a man should wear, anything smaller are more or less relegated to the ladies. With the current industry standard of anything big is considered fashionable, and that a 45mm piece is now the norm for men’s watches. Pioneering them are IWC and Panerai. Both brands ever since the start of the first decade of the 21st century has already developed a cult following. Not in the scale of Rolex though but still a craziness for bigger timepiece that I have yet understood. Regardless, the pieces they offer are  stunningly beautiful to look at, and as the craze goes on, IWC made a step even further by introducing bigger variants of their collection - like the Big Ingeneur or the Big Pilot, notice the word big was used in this context. Some pieces goes as big as 48mm like the Big Pilot Top Gun Miramar watch of 2012. The concept of anything bigger is better is still at large, although I would argue that the perfect timepiece size is still 39mm, the fashion industry would beg to differ. Whether we like it or not, big watches are here to stay. So unless your a vintage watch collector, you better start moving on to bigger pieces. Article Published on FN Mag Check out the IWC and Panerai collection if you’re a big watch fan.

The rise of what watch collectors like to call the 21st century golden age of watchmaking also marks the rise of the big watch syndrome. In today’s fashion standards, a 42mm case diameter watch is considered the bare minimum of what a man should wear, anything smaller are more or less relegated to the ladies. With the current industry standard of anything big is considered fashionable, and that a 45mm piece is now the norm for men’s watches. Pioneering them are IWC and Panerai. Both brands ever since the start of the first decade of the 21st century has already developed a cult following. Not in the scale of Rolex though but still a craziness for bigger timepiece that I have yet understood. Regardless, the pieces they offer are  stunningly beautiful to look at, and as the craze goes on, IWC made a step even further by introducing bigger variants of their collection - like the Big Ingeneur or the Big Pilot, notice the word big was used in this context. Some pieces goes as big as 48mm like the Big Pilot Top Gun Miramar watch of 2012. The concept of anything bigger is better is still at large, although I would argue that the perfect timepiece size is still 39mm, the fashion industry would beg to differ. Whether we like it or not, big watches are here to stay. So unless your a vintage watch collector, you better start moving on to bigger pieces.

Article Published on FN Mag

Check out the IWC and Panerai collection if you’re a big watch fan.

Lucky 88 for Audemars Piguet Royal Oak timepiece

Recently, at the Antiquirium auction, one extremely lucky person went home with the coveted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak timepiece for  40,000 CHF ($42,500 including buyer’s premium). What made this timepiece so special is because this is one of the original A-series Royal Oak that had the AP logo above the 6 o’clock position. Meaning, this piece goes back to its roots as one of the first ever created Royal Oak in history back in 1972. To further up the ante, the piece bears the label at the caseback with the number “88” which means it was the 88th Royal Oak in history. Some of you may know that the number “8” has always been known to be a lucky number among Chinese, and with the rising luxury market from China, it’s no wonder this piece was purchased at a price that far exceeds the current market price. To have an A-series Royal Oak alone is enough to get watch nerds blood rising, adding an 88 at the back will probably pose a heart attack for a certain Chinese collector.

Audemars Piguet celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak this year with a redesign if the famous piece and an exhibition of their history.

Photos courtesy of Hodinkee

Article published at FN Mag

I’ve been writing a lot about digital watches the past week or so. With staple giants such as the likes of Casio G-Shocks and the jaw-dropping and eye-popping HD3 Slyde to finish off last week’s digital watch craze. But think of this, the digital watches of today were either for fashionistas who once a new piece every now and then, cause they’re simply insanely cheap compare to their mechanical counterparts, along with the convenience of usage and replacability of it. Other than that, most digital pieces were mainly used as secondary pieces, that are use for workouts, beaches, biking and the likes. But have you evered wonder if there might simply be piece that fits all? Not only for mere workouts, but full fledge hardcore adventurer stuff? Wonder no more, cause that’s what the Casio Protrek line is all about. Introduced by Casio back in 1994, the Protrek line (Initially coined as the Pathfinders) has been aimed specifically for true adventurers - mountain conquering individuals. It is not simply a piece that was built to withstand extreme environments, but also a piece that can very much prove useful on a life or death situation. The Protrek line is packed with features and complication. Every single piece of information or data that may or may not be useful can be accessed in just a few clicks on the pushers. It includes thermometers, barometers, altimeters, tidal graph, moon phase, and even a built in digital compass through Casio’s innovative double LCD display. The features are so vast that it is simply impossible to find a use for them all. That being said, the piece is extremely versatile for almost any situation, like a Swiss Knife version of a watch.  The watch comes in both all digital and ana-digi variants with a choice of resin band (which is familiar for G-Shock users) and a full titanium band. You have got to admit, though after wearing the Titanium version on the wrist, the lightness of the piece is surreal. It is extremely light, that if it weren’t for the huge case, you barely notice it there. I got some live shots of the piece below. Coming from a Casio G-Shock Riseman, the Protrek-240 feels right at home. One can simply i magine that most of the features if Casio pieces including G-Shocks may have been derived from the Protreks. Simply a digital piece that has everything. If it weren’t for the huge size (55mm diameter), this would’ve been an instant purchase. But for those folks into the big wrist presence or has big hands and is looking for an all around watch, this is it! Aim for the titanium band ones, they are simply awesome. Prices starts at $350. Now I just wish the folks at Casio would start putting them titanium construction in their G-Shocks.

I’ve been writing a lot about digital watches the past week or so. With staple giants such as the likes of Casio G-Shocks and the jaw-dropping and eye-popping HD3 Slyde to finish off last week’s digital watch craze. But think of this, the digital watches of today were either for fashionistas who once a new piece every now and then, cause they’re simply insanely cheap compare to their mechanical counterparts, along with the convenience of usage and replacability of it. Other than that, most digital pieces were mainly used as secondary pieces, that are use for workouts, beaches, biking and the likes. But have you evered wonder if there might simply be piece that fits all? Not only for mere workouts, but full fledge hardcore adventurer stuff? Wonder no more, cause that’s what the Casio Protrek line is all about. Introduced by Casio back in 1994, the Protrek line (Initially coined as the Pathfinders) has been aimed specifically for true adventurers - mountain conquering individuals. It is not simply a piece that was built to withstand extreme environments, but also a piece that can very much prove useful on a life or death situation. The Protrek line is packed with features and complication. Every single piece of information or data that may or may not be useful can be accessed in just a few clicks on the pushers. It includes thermometers, barometers, altimeters, tidal graph, moon phase, and even a built in digital compass through Casio’s innovative double LCD display. The features are so vast that it is simply impossible to find a use for them all. That being said, the piece is extremely versatile for almost any situation, like a Swiss Knife version of a watch.  The watch comes in both all digital and ana-digi variants with a choice of resin band (which is familiar for G-Shock users) and a full titanium band. You have got to admit, though after wearing the Titanium version on the wrist, the lightness of the piece is surreal. It is extremely light, that if it weren’t for the huge case, you barely notice it there. I got some live shots of the piece below. Coming from a Casio G-Shock Riseman, the Protrek-240 feels right at home. One can simply i magine that most of the features if Casio pieces including G-Shocks may have been derived from the Protreks. Simply a digital piece that has everything. If it weren’t for the huge size (55mm diameter), this would’ve been an instant purchase. But for those folks into the big wrist presence or has big hands and is looking for an all around watch, this is it! Aim for the titanium band ones, they are simply awesome. Prices starts at $350.

Now I just wish the folks at Casio would start putting them titanium construction in their G-Shocks.

We’ve seen the rebirth of mechanical watches at the start of the 21st century. When back in the 90, the concept of cool in termsof wristwatches wereto wear the digital ones. Offering more reliability, acuracy, features and functionalities at a price that is insane in the eyes of mechanical watchmakers. Insane in the sense that it is impossible for mechanical pieces to make pieces as functional and as cheap. Hence they gave up and went completely in the opposite direction. A direction of which luxury is attained. We all know what happened after. Mechanical horology has never been as fluorishing as before. With people marking the second decade of the 21st century as the rebirth of thr golden age of horology. With this, is it then suffice to say that there is no room for the digital pieces for the luxury market. The answer is no. A big no perhaps as the folks at HD3 would argue. This is perhaps a whole new category of luxury watches, in which they would call them “a digital complication”. I give you the HD3 Slyde. Created by Swiss designer Jorg Hysek, Slyde is a whole new concept in which time is viewed. Combining the elegance of luxury mechanical watches and depicting them in the way the modern time is read - through a digital touch screen. Yes, I know, digital screen watches has been around for years, and yes again that touch screen watches has been invented way back. But it is through the HD3 Slyde that we can simply view time the way it was suppose to be, mechanical levers and gears on entirely a digital platform. Furthermore, the HD3 Slyde gives you the ability to swipe through its screen to view the time on a manner to your liking. Simply means that the screen is fully customizable, giving you the illusion of owning multiple pieces on a single watch. With a fully customizable Slyde watch, ranging from digital display to virtue mechanical display, the possibilities are endless. With a authenticity mark that the piece is “Swiss Made”, the HD3 Slyde offers nothing but luxury. Can we say this is simply Hi-Definition Time. The piece comes in either steel, titanium, black steel and full black (PVD titanium) designs. A domed sapphire touch screen powered by an electronic movement - a fancy way of saying this piece is digital and not a quartz piece. The watch comes with a full 3.8V lithium battery and can be charge via a USB socket at the case back. It comes with black rubber strap with the option to go full luxury with a leather one. The screen is a capacitive TFT touch screen, similar to the iPhones of old and is water resistant of up to 30 meters. It’s a digital watch in its purest mechanical form. Preserving the art of horology on a digital platform or should I say a digital complication in what we call Hi-Definition Time. Hit the link for the teaser video.

We’ve seen the rebirth of mechanical watches at the start of the 21st century. When back in the 90, the concept of cool in termsof wristwatches wereto wear the digital ones. Offering more reliability, acuracy, features and functionalities at a price that is insane in the eyes of mechanical watchmakers. Insane in the sense that it is impossible for mechanical pieces to make pieces as functional and as cheap. Hence they gave up and went completely in the opposite direction. A direction of which luxury is attained. We all know what happened after. Mechanical horology has never been as fluorishing as before. With people marking the second decade of the 21st century as the rebirth of thr golden age of horology. With this, is it then suffice to say that there is no room for the digital pieces for the luxury market. The answer is no. A big no perhaps as the folks at HD3 would argue. This is perhaps a whole new category of luxury watches, in which they would call them “a digital complication”.

I give you the HD3 Slyde. Created by Swiss designer Jorg Hysek, Slyde is a whole new concept in which time is viewed. Combining the elegance of luxury mechanical watches and depicting them in the way the modern time is read - through a digital touch screen. Yes, I know, digital screen watches has been around for years, and yes again that touch screen watches has been invented way back. But it is through the HD3 Slyde that we can simply view time the way it was suppose to be, mechanical levers and gears on entirely a digital platform. Furthermore, the HD3 Slyde gives you the ability to swipe through its screen to view the time on a manner to your liking. Simply means that the screen is fully customizable, giving you the illusion of owning multiple pieces on a single watch.

With a fully customizable Slyde watch, ranging from digital display to virtue mechanical display, the possibilities are endless. With a authenticity mark that the piece is “Swiss Made”, the HD3 Slyde offers nothing but luxury. Can we say this is simply Hi-Definition Time.

The piece comes in either steel, titanium, black steel and full black (PVD titanium) designs. A domed sapphire touch screen powered by an electronic movement - a fancy way of saying this piece is digital and not a quartz piece. The watch comes with a full 3.8V lithium battery and can be charge via a USB socket at the case back. It comes with black rubber strap with the option to go full luxury with a leather one. The screen is a capacitive TFT touch screen, similar to the iPhones of old and is water resistant of up to 30 meters. It’s a digital watch in its purest mechanical form. Preserving the art of horology on a digital platform or should I say a digital complication in what we call Hi-Definition Time.

Hit the link for the teaser video.

Every month, we seem to be getting new color variations to the vast G-Shock collection of digital watches. There is no doubt in our mind that the Casio G-Shock revolutionizes the whole indestructible watch category and doing so made the G-Shock probably the most popular Japanese made watch in history. With popular demands on the extra large pieces from the Ana-Digi line, along with a cult following from the Master of G series of watches, particularly the Frogmans. The G-Shock watches offers just about every watch for every occasion. Even a certain watch collector or watch nerd will probably own one or two. Some of which dedicate their watch nerdiness to solely collecting G-Shock pieces. A sign which clearly shows Casio’s dominance on the digital watch market. This month, we got some refreshing new colors from the G-Shock Japan page. Why Japanese page you ask? Well, let’s just say the Japanese has a way of working their business to always offer the new ones in the Japanese market first before spreading them around the world. Some of which don’t even show up in the international market, like the stunning MR-G watches, partly because Casio doesn’t believe the international market would be willing to shell off big bucks for a Casio piece. But perhaps, in the near future, we might get to see one in our local AD. In any case, the new lineup prove to be as colorful as ever. I won’t be posting all the new pieces for May, but I would gladly offer you some of my favorites from the group. First one from the Ana-Digi line, the GA-200BW. This is a new color variation from the GA-120 collection, with a jet black bezel and strap color, in a stainless steel, and a silver dial inspired from the disc brakes of a motorcycle. The color scheme looks stunning, from a perspective of a person who adores mechanical pieces, the new color is spot-on. A less trendier color as some G-Shock fans would say but it just oozes with quality for a watch built to withstand anything. Expect to see this piece carry all the standard functionalities of a G-Shock piece; stopwatch, world-timer, 20 bar water resistance, LED light, shock resistant, full auto calendar and may more. Sadly though, as it always was for the GA series, tough solar feature and atomic timekeeping is not included. As these features are more for the premium G-Shock pieces. Some of my picks from their new releases shown on the gallery. You gotta admit, the riche black scheme (New Garish Black) with negative LCDs on the new Riseman (GW-9200BW) and Gulfman (GW-9110BW) are such a treat to look at. Expect to see these pieces hit the stores soon. Check out the Japan page to see the whole new lineup for May.

Every month, we seem to be getting new color variations to the vast G-Shock collection of digital watches. There is no doubt in our mind that the Casio G-Shock revolutionizes the whole indestructible watch category and doing so made the G-Shock probably the most popular Japanese made watch in history. With popular demands on the extra large pieces from the Ana-Digi line, along with a cult following from the Master of G series of watches, particularly the Frogmans. The G-Shock watches offers just about every watch for every occasion. Even a certain watch collector or watch nerd will probably own one or two. Some of which dedicate their watch nerdiness to solely collecting G-Shock pieces. A sign which clearly shows Casio’s dominance on the digital watch market. This month, we got some refreshing new colors from the G-Shock Japan page. Why Japanese page you ask? Well, let’s just say the Japanese has a way of working their business to always offer the new ones in the Japanese market first before spreading them around the world. Some of which don’t even show up in the international market, like the stunning MR-G watches, partly because Casio doesn’t believe the international market would be willing to shell off big bucks for a Casio piece. But perhaps, in the near future, we might get to see one in our local AD.

In any case, the new lineup prove to be as colorful as ever. I won’t be posting all the new pieces for May, but I would gladly offer you some of my favorites from the group. First one from the Ana-Digi line, the GA-200BW. This is a new color variation from the GA-120 collection, with a jet black bezel and strap color, in a stainless steel, and a silver dial inspired from the disc brakes of a motorcycle. The color scheme looks stunning, from a perspective of a person who adores mechanical pieces, the new color is spot-on. A less trendier color as some G-Shock fans would say but it just oozes with quality for a watch built to withstand anything. Expect to see this piece carry all the standard functionalities of a G-Shock piece; stopwatch, world-timer, 20 bar water resistance, LED light, shock resistant, full auto calendar and may more. Sadly though, as it always was for the GA series, tough solar feature and atomic timekeeping is not included. As these features are more for the premium G-Shock pieces.

Some of my picks from their new releases shown on the gallery. You gotta admit, the riche black scheme (New Garish Black) with negative LCDs on the new Riseman (GW-9200BW) and Gulfman (GW-9110BW) are such a treat to look at. Expect to see these pieces hit the stores soon. Check out the Japan page to see the whole new lineup for May.

A few days ago, I just showed you the wonders of the Grand Seiko watches. The price of which are relatively high, if not, higher than most Japan based manufacturer. Perhaps, a piece that only a watch collector would understand to buy. So in light of this, let us look deeper into the mechanical line-up of Seiko. It is duly noted that despite the rise of digital age, the continued support to mechanical pieces is rising. This simply means that people are beginning to appreciate mechanical pieces more in this touch screen era. I give you three of probably the favorites from the current Seiko mechanical line. The SARB021, SARB023 and SARB045. They are all priced incredibly reasonable at just 60,000 Yen SRP (around 750 USD). Given that the pieces has no remnants of anything not made by Seiko. Each of this pieces has a case diameter of 38.5mm which is ideal size for any men’s watch and the growing fad of big watches is not really my cup of tea. Just watch the video catalogs on the link below from Watch Tanka and marvel at each piece to your liking. Forget the brand snobbery, Seiko is the real deal. Click here for the videos.

A few days ago, I just showed you the wonders of the Grand Seiko watches. The price of which are relatively high, if not, higher than most Japan based manufacturer. Perhaps, a piece that only a watch collector would understand to buy. So in light of this, let us look deeper into the mechanical line-up of Seiko. It is duly noted that despite the rise of digital age, the continued support to mechanical pieces is rising. This simply means that people are beginning to appreciate mechanical pieces more in this touch screen era.

I give you three of probably the favorites from the current Seiko mechanical line. The SARB021, SARB023 and SARB045. They are all priced incredibly reasonable at just 60,000 Yen SRP (around 750 USD). Given that the pieces has no remnants of anything not made by Seiko. Each of this pieces has a case diameter of 38.5mm which is ideal size for any men’s watch and the growing fad of big watches is not really my cup of tea. Just watch the video catalogs on the link below from Watch Tanka and marvel at each piece to your liking. Forget the brand snobbery, Seiko is the real deal.

Click here for the videos.

It may be apparent that the pinnacle of haute horlogerie comes from the Swiss. With brand giants and history rich names such as the likes of Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre commanding the helm of mastery on classic complications. In the Swiss dominated market, is it even possible for a non-Swiss maker to even compete? Enter the Grand Seiko. The Grand Seiko, as the name implies, is Seiko’s pinnacle of watchmaking greatness. The name “Grand Seiko” is not to be confused with Seiko’s low end pieces and to be even comparing it with a low-end quartz piece is horological blasphemy. I respect the Seiko’s broad range of products, from the low end pieces, to the Premier line, to the coveted Ananta pieces, and all the way to the Grand Seiko. For the simple reason that is - they all are true manufactured Japan movements, own and made by Seiko. This year, Seiko celebrates 100 years of Grand Seiko. 100 years? Most of you may not be even aware of such a timepiece exist, the reason is because the Grand Seiko was sold only in Japan. It is until a year or two ago that they began selling it overseas. Each piece of Grand Seiko is handcrafted to perfection, powered by a hi-beat movement of 36,000 vph to simply make the sweeping seconds hand as seamless as possible. So the question is ask, why would a person consider even buying one with Swiss counterparts making perfect strides in the market? If you’re a fan of chronograph pieces, and know about Seiko’s patented spring drive movement, then that should be enough reason to even own one. This is the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT. Click here for more.

It may be apparent that the pinnacle of haute horlogerie comes from the Swiss. With brand giants and history rich names such as the likes of Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre commanding the helm of mastery on classic complications. In the Swiss dominated market, is it even possible for a non-Swiss maker to even compete? Enter the Grand Seiko.

The Grand Seiko, as the name implies, is Seiko’s pinnacle of watchmaking greatness. The name “Grand Seiko” is not to be confused with Seiko’s low end pieces and to be even comparing it with a low-end quartz piece is horological blasphemy. I respect the Seiko’s broad range of products, from the low end pieces, to the Premier line, to the coveted Ananta pieces, and all the way to the Grand Seiko. For the simple reason that is - they all are true manufactured Japan movements, own and made by Seiko. This year, Seiko celebrates 100 years of Grand Seiko. 100 years? Most of you may not be even aware of such a timepiece exist, the reason is because the Grand Seiko was sold only in Japan. It is until a year or two ago that they began selling it overseas. Each piece of Grand Seiko is handcrafted to perfection, powered by a hi-beat movement of 36,000 vph to simply make the sweeping seconds hand as seamless as possible. So the question is ask, why would a person consider even buying one with Swiss counterparts making perfect strides in the market? If you’re a fan of chronograph pieces, and know about Seiko’s patented spring drive movement, then that should be enough reason to even own one. This is the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Chronograph GMT.

Click here for more.