Author: jasonlo213

Updates on stock – Patek Philippe, A Lange, AP and more

Patek Philippe 5059 Perpetual Calendar full set
USED in MINT condition
HKD308,000

A Lange Datograph rose gold silver white dial
A stunning beauty
Full set
HKD 275,000
 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Bubble Bee
Full set
HKD155,000

Rolex 116710blnr
Full set
Dated Ausust 2017
Super new and fresh
HKD75,500

Rolex 16618 Onyx dial
Watch only
Ultra rare
Price on request

Which GMT Master II 116710? The Green Pointer or the Batman?

The Rolex GMT Master II – The Green Pointer vs the Batman

The Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic has been one of the most frequently seen watches on the street in Hong Kong. The 116710 Green Pointer is also the first Rolex I bought. I actually chose it over the Submariner 116610 because the watch was so much more attractive due to the oversized numbers on the ceramic bezel. The 116710 Green Pointer is a dazzling watch. A friend of mine bought two for himself and his wife last year. He has a black Daytona 116520 for himself and a white 116520 for his wife. But why did he buy two GMT Green Pointer but now one Green Pointer plus a Batman?
He said the Green Pointer looks more classic….

The two GMT Master II have different aesthetics. Or, do they? The Batman differs from the Green Pointer by having a dual color ceramic bezel, which is the only bi-color ceramic bezel on Rolex stainless steel models. The blue-black bezel symbolizes night and day. The GMT hand is blue instead of green and the letters GMT Master II are in white.
On the wrist, they really do not look very different. The same case applies to the Deep Sea black and the Deep Sea D-blue. Under certain lighting, you can even hardly notice that the Batman has a blue-black bezel.
How about the Green Pointer? It has a green GMT hand and green GMT Master II letters. Let’s not forget that the color that represents Rolex is green. However, this watch has been in production for 10 years and there are a lot of people wearing it. But of course, the price is lower than the Batman. It will feel a bit dull if you have had the watch for a bit over 2-3 years since the color scheme is not particularly attractive.

The Batman, on the other hand, offers you something more fun to see every day. The blue color of the ceramic bezel and the GMT hand and the white color of the letters GMT Master II also recall a blue sky with clouds. The Green Pointer and the Batman are equally flashy. If you have not had a GMT watch, get a Batman. But if you have the Green Pointer, keep it and wear it in good health.

Some frequently asked questions from buyers

  1. Why are the hands not in uniform color with the markers?

For T25 gloss dials with white gold markers, the hands’ color tends to be different from the markers. The hands’ color tends to be lighter. Of course, it is possible that the hands’ color is the same as the markers’. However, in most cases, it is normal to have hands with lighter color than the markers because the tritium materials used on the hands may be different.

Hands are sometimes replaced by watchmakers and sellers to achieve a uniform color for the hands and the markers. Unless you are Rolex, you will never know why some hands look lighter than the markers. Some of us think that the hands must have been replaced by the seller so that the color of the is lighter. However, it has to be noted that the situation may be actually the other way round.
2. Does your watch have a service case?
The serial numbers for a service case of Rolex are 44xxxxx. Service cases start from 4.4mil serial number until exhaustion. Some say that the 4.7mil and 4.9mil cases are also service case. Again, unless you are Rolex, you will never know. But service cases usually bear Orig Rolex Design engravings between the lugs at 12 o’ clock instead of Registered Design. People tend to avoid serials 4.4mil to 5mil as to avoid service cases. Please note that Rolex from 7mil serial year 1980 onwards bear Orig Rolex Design engravings instead of Registered Design. From the Rolex serial chart we can see that from 1970 to 1980, the Rolex serial numbers increased by 300,000 each year. From 1976-1977, the serial increases from 40xxxxx to 50xxxxx. It is believed that some of the serials are reserved for service cases. Service cases are cases replaced by Rolex if you watch case is damaged.
You can refer to the following link for the Rolex serial chart.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers
3. Is your watch polished?
Most vintage timepieces have been polished as they have gone through over 40 years or even 50 or 60 years of time. An unpolished Rolex should have very sharp beveled edges on the lugs. These timepieces often bear dearer price tags.
4. Why has price increased so much?
There is a rule in buying Rolex watches : The earlier you buy it, the earlier you enjoy it. The later you buy it, the dearer the price to pay.  Rolex has been producing less watches starting from 2017. There has been less stock than before. Rolex used to increase prices for twice a year. However, they have adopted a new strategy by producing less. Rolex watches preserve their value best because they do not go down in price at all. If you say today that a Rolex is expensive, you will not be able to get one in the future because it will only be more expensive as demand for Rolex watches will never drop. Have you ever heard of a price reduction from Rolex? Only in dreams.
5. Does this watch require a service?
A Rolex is very tough, especially for sports Rolex. Some run for 30 or 40 years before they has to be serviced. If your watch is losing or gaining too much time or does not wind very smoothly, you can opt for a service. However, if it is running steadily and wind ok, you can opt for a service later.
6. Why is the clasp not from 1977 for a 1977 watch?
The clasp has been replaced. It is nothing very special. If you damage the clasp of your Rolex, RSC will replace the clasp for you. For a vintage timepiece, it is  normal for some parts to have been replaced. The most important thing is that the dial matches the case and it has the correct bracelet and end links. You can always sell the clasp in exchange for a 1977 clasp. Nothing is perfect, especially a vintage timepiece.

Patek Philippe 5035 – The first annual calendar from Patek

Produced from 1996-2005, the 5035 was the first PP annual calendar watch. Patek decided to produce this model as a simplified version of the perpetual calendar, which many found too complicated to operate, and sometimes obsolete. The 5035 was replaced in 2005 by the 5146, which is still in production today.

At 37mm, the 5035 features the date, month and date display. At 6 o’ clock, there is a 24 hour display. This combination is not found in any annual calendar watch offered by Patek anymore.

The 5035 was produced in rose gold, white gold, yellow gold and platinum. The movement inside is PP’s 315s QA24h movement with a solid gold rotor. The finishing is superb and the winding efficiency is great due to the weight of the solid gold rotor.

Its successor 5146 features sub-dials for day, month and moon-phase and an aperture for the date. There is also a power reserve at 12 o’ clock. The 5146 is 39mm which is 2mm bigger than the 5035. It also has Arabic numerals instead of the Roman numerals on the 5035.

Although the 5146 displays more information on its dial, it is considered by some to be too busy. Not only does the 5035 have the most discrete size of 37mm, it also has the kind of sheer functionality displaying only the most essential information on the dial. It is simple and clean.

Investment value : The 5035’s price ranges from HKD140,000 to 170,000 depending on condition. Although it was produced for almost ten years, it is still a collectible piece as it was Patek’s first annual calendar model. In today’s watch world, if you can still grab a used Patek with complication at this price, it is a bargain. What you get are superb finishing on the dial, case and the movement and very practical functions from the world’s most prestigious watch brand.

Rolex Day Date 40 VS the Daytona ceramic 116500

Rolex Day-Date 40 VS Rolex Daytona 116500 ceramic   
With the new Rolex 116500ln Daytona Ceramic out, the attention of us is back to the Daytona. However, let’s not forget the brand’s most iconic model, the Day-Date. A new olive dial version has been released with rose gold case and bracelet. It is also available in white gold.
Some of you may have the same struggle – to go for the Day-Date or the Daytona?

1 Price
The Rolex Day-Date 40 is way more expensive than the Daytona as there is no stainless steel version for the DD40. With that said, you will have to pay around 190k -210k for a DD40. With the Daytona, if you opt for the yellow gold, white gold or the rose gold version, you will have to pay around 180k-210k. However, the Daytona can be had in stainless steel which is around 145k right now for the 116500ln.

  1. Practicality

The Rolex Day-Date is a way more practical watch than the Daytona. We bet you have to know which day and date it is more than to know the duration of your drive, given that most of us are not professional race car drivers? The Rolex DD40 has the date and day display which makes everyday life way more convenient than wearing the Daytona. Moreover, let’s not forget the DD40’s 72 hours of power reserve That means you do not have to wind your watch as much as the Daytona.
 

  1. Rarity

How often do you see people wearing the Daytona on the street? Very, right? But you do not see a lot of DD40. So, why wear the same watch that others are wearing? Stand out by wearing the DD40 is a good choice to show your elegance and special taste.

  1. The bracelet.

The Daytona has a Oyster bracelet which features the Easylink extension system. Most of Rolex’s sports watches have Oyster bracelet with them. Again, it might be too common. The DD40 has a President bracelet which reflects light way better than an Oyster band. The polished center links shine like nothing else. It is more comfortable as the links are smaller, they can adjust to the shape of your wrist better

Updates on Rolex prices

The prices of Rolex sports models have been rising for the last couple of months.
A 116500ln white dial cost around HKD130,000 in April. Now a used one is over HKD135,000 and a bnib 116500ln white is now around HKD150,000. Although the price is so high, there is still very limited stock. It is hard to estimate when the price of this Daytona will go down as it has always been Rolex’s most signature sports watch.
The 116610lv Hulk is now selling HKD95,000 in shops. Grey dealers are selling HKD88,000 to HKD92,000 now. Rumor has it that this model will be discontinued next year in 2018 when it will have been produced for 8 years. A used Hulk is now over HKD72,000. The list price of this watch is HKD68,100.
The 116710blnr Batman is now selling over HKD75,000 now. A used Batman is now selling at around HKD68,000 to 72,000. This is another very highly sought-after Rolex model because of its bi-colour ceramic bezel.
The other hot model is the 16610lv 50th anniversary Submariner. A “Flat 4” LV is now selling at over HKD110,000. A normal 16610lv is now selling at over HKD80,000 in shops while grey dealers are selling at around HKD76,000 to 79,000.

To Daytona or not to Daytona —That is the question

The Rolex Daytona has been in vogue for over 2 decades, or even more for some earlier references. For those who have doubts whether to get the Daytona or not, we give you our Daytonas of choice.

  1. Rolex Daytona 6263 – The “Paul Newman” Daytona with exotic dial

The legendary 6263 is on our list, and it always will and should on anyone’s list of favorite Daytonas. A Rolex 6263 Daytona with exotic dial is referred to as “the Paul Newman Daytona” as movie star Paul Newman used to wear it a lot when racing, and not racing. At 37mm, the 6263 has a very exquisite dial layout. It looks classic by any standard. The sub-dials are well placed with appropriate space and balance in between. The numerals on the sub-dials are exquisitely done. The chapter ring is another feature of an “exotic” dial. It matches the tachymeter on the bezel very well.

Other than that, the 6263 has red “Daytona” letters on the dial and features screw-down chronograph pushers. It is a must-have for any Daytona enthusiast and the prices at auctions have proved that.

  1. Rolex 116520 Daytona

The first automatic chronograph with an in-house Rolex movement – is it enough?

The 116520 has been in production since 2000 when it replaced the 16520 which had a modified Zenith movement. The 116520 is now out of production and it is replaced by the new ceramic Daytona 116500ln. However, it was a cult success by any means. The price of the 116520 had always been higher than the retail price. It was such a symbol of status that no other watches could, or can compare.

  1. Rolex 116500ln Daytona Ceramic

Rolex is good at solving problems. While the bezel of the 116520 was said to attract scratches easily, they have now put a ceramic bezel on the newest Daytona ref 116500ln. The new 116500ln is a stunner. The white dial version features the “panda” style dial similar to the legendary 6263. The best thing is that it has a ceramic bezel that is not easily scratched. Other details? The movement’s accuracy is now +2/-2 per day! As the successor of the 116520, it is going to be another cult success. Do get yours before it gets hard to find one.

Here are the 5 reasons why you should get the new Rolex Daytona Ceramic 116500ln

The new Rolex Daytona 116500ln was released at  Baselworld 2016. We know that it will be a crazy hit for any watch enthusiast. However, if you are still thinking about whether to save up for the watch, here are 5 reasons why you actually should.

  1. It is an icon.

For years, the Rolex Daytona has been one of the most celebrated watches in the world. In the world of Rolex, it represents the most expensive model of Rolex’s stainless steel watches (the Yacht Master ii excluded). If you want to upgrade from your world of Submariners and GMTs, it is time to get a Daytona.

  1. The new ceramic bezel

The 116500ln features a black ceramic bezel. As we all know, a ceramic bezel is scratch-proof. On the 116520 Daytona which features a polished stainless steel bezel, one of the big problems is that the bezel attracts a lot of scratches. We can often see second-hand 116520 which are full of scratches on the bezel, the most obviously seen part of the watch. With that said, it is easier for you to keep your watch as mint as possible with the new 116500ln.

  1. The only “complicated” stainless steel Rolex

The Rolex Daytona is the only stainless steel Rolex with a complication (GMT function excluded). It has been Rolex’s only chronograph for years. Although you may not fully utilize the chronograph function, it might be time for you to taste something different from your three-hand time-only watch.

  1. Increased accuracy

As Rolex is now imposing new standards other than the COSC standards they have been observing, Rolex watches are now +2/-2 per day according to their new independent certification.

  1. “Panda” style

If you have been in the watch world for long enough, or not so long, you may have noticed how expensive a “Paul Newman” Daytona 6263 is, especially those that feature a “Panda” dial. The new 116500ln white dial version features something similar. The three black sub-dial rings sit on the while dial which gives you a close-to-Paul-Newman experience.

As to prices, the 116500ln is on a steady rise. It was HKD129,000 when I bought one in April. Now, it is at least HKD135,000. Some even sell for over HKD140,000. For the 116520, the black dial version is around HKD95,000 to 105,000 depending on its condition and the year of production. An NOS 116520 can cost you as much as HKD130,000.

(All images are from Google and the copyright belongs to the owners of these images)

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