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[Year End Review]- what i've got for me in 2011...
Just a look back at the watches i have added to my collection of previously owned watches this year.
This should also serve for my own record, as well as to whom maybe interested...
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1st purchase- added 25Feb- STEINHART Ocean One Green w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
Ever since the last economy crunch, it takes me quite some time to find a well-paid job. But even if my salary had stabilized, there are just some numbers of outstanding issues to clear. So it took me almost 15mths later to get my first piece, since the last break before 2007.
The last time, when i serve the last company i worked with, i would get myself a TITONI at the year end to signify the time and sacrifice with the organization.
This time round, i eyed upon the brand Steinhart, which i have seen numbers of positive comments from different collectors around the world, leaving me with positive impressions.
Looking at their website catalogue, as well as Gnomon's, majority of the watch design are either too dressy or too soft for me... except their divers range. Divers with Black bezel are just too common, either on Ocean One Black or Vintage Red. I was just a tad too late to join back the watch interest that i had missed the Ocean One with BLUE. So i went ahead with the Green bezel OO. Placed an order with Gnomon, for ten over days, which i didn't expected i would need to wait as Gnomon had listed it as available. Initially a little frustrated over this long period of time wasted, and wanted to cancel my order. When i get the watch finally, all my frustrations are blown off by the attractive construction quality and workmanship of the piece. 10 days waiting time, 12 blue bills are really well worth spent.
On the following begin of next workweek, i happily put on the OOG on my wrist to work, this lasted for the next 2wks or so... until, a Jap colleague from another department says this in the same lift we're in, "What a nice looking Rolex copy...".
Sigh... my Steinhart kenna suan by a Rolex worshipper for being a copy... I guess i'll have to put you in the box, bring you out some other time to walk around lo...
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2nd purchase- added 14Apr- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" dual tone, BLACK dial w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
Looking at my "Submariner" which have been with me through thick and thin, tough and relax times, bright and dark period- the 2007 economy crunch down... i keep telling my daily beating partner, "i'll find you a good substitute when times come." So the searching journey begins...
After all this while, i want to look for something that looks well and polished, so i had been looking at the dual toned Sandoz "Submariner" Black at different shops, getting different price quotes. The last time i bought my SS submariner, i paid about SGD$250 for the piece. This time round i was quoted mostly close to 8 blue bills for the dual-toned. Err...okay... sounds reasonable for the gold plating... so i checked with the last shop whom i frequent before the dark period, i'm quoted for 7 blue bills with some extra notes. That's really a good bargain! Hoot Ahh! I immediately ask to take the piece in the showcase, but the seller advise me to wait as he will order for me, collect at other date as he needs that piece for "luring" purpose... Low price quote, 2wks waiting period, where can find such offer else where. I happily take the offer.
Got the watch less than 10days later. After sometime, find that the gold plating is too blinky for my working environment, as well as too high profiled... quit the idea of having this piece to be my daily ticker. This goes into my other collections...
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3rd purchase- added 14May- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" dual tone, BLUE dial w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
After i got my black, dual tone submariner on that day in april, i walk towards Mustafa to shop for some grocery, then i stumble across this BLUE dial, dual tone submariner. Alamak... why didn't this piece comes earlier to my sight ley... So i call the Bencoolen guy to check with him, since it's still a little early to him closing shop, he claims that he have no idea about this model, that he have to check with his supplier. "HUH? How come you so not updated one???", this thought comes into my mind immediately. I asked him to take his time to check with his supplier, as i thought that the retail price may not be low, since it is a blue dial.
Got his reply 2wks later(yeah... ... no choice wor, even though under his hand, got another 7 employee to feed, service quality to other customers must not be neglected... too much people look for him for the CASIO G-shock liao lah...), surprise to learn that the price is the same as what paid for the dual tone black last month. The bug in my mind keeps telling me, "This piece must not be missed!"... so placed order, got the piece 1mth later... Now sitting nicely in my box.
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4th purchase- added 15Jun- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" SS, PEPSI bezel
w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
The last 2 purchase was "too dressy" for my working environment. Hence i will have to be on the trip again to various shops to look for the perfect rookie to replace my near 10yrs old soldier. I've seen the PEPSI numbers of time, thought that the bezel seems quite cheesy to be a rough and tough piece for my replacement. But after some time reading other discussion threads in various forum, it seems to me that the half blue half red bezels really doesn't bothers me much. So i made my mind to get this seeing whether does it fit to be the new recruit.
To my surprise, due to some kind unknown popularity, i was quoted different price, mostly slightly higher price tag for the PEPSI bezel model. So i call up to my regular "supplier" for quotation, got an offer for the same price as the regular black model. Made the order, got the watch in 2wks time. Initially i was surprise why i'm given such a special offer... until i turn my head to his showcase, his "display" piece is not present, i smell something fishy... Then i confirm, this is his display piece, when i look at the bracelet link at the lug noticing the un-usual curve of the link. "KNN"... initially this curse comes into my mind, but i didn't confront him immediately. After all, i need not to pay the extra 3 red bills which i was quoted else where. I smilingly accepted the piece.
Although this is a display piece, to my surprise, not a single scratch or dirt can be found on the main body, casing as well as the bezel. The only pity falls on the clasp hook that seems to be a little loose, perhaps due to frequent open and close when other folks may have tried on their wrist. Disappointment aside, this is a good catch. Did i put it on frequently? Oooo... the heat lasted a few months, until it was cooled down by a cheap gift from China. Sounds weird huh?
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5th purchase- added 24Jun- STEINHART Ocean BLACK 44 DLC w/ETA 2824 movement hacking auto
After the last incident, with the Jap Rolex worshipper's comment on my "Green Beret", i didn't put on my 1st STEINHART often, even when i go out. My wrist feels kind of empty. Remembering that i had seen the Ocean Black DLC 42 listed in GNOMONs site before, so i tried my luck to order a piece to see whether will i get the same negative comments of "nice looking Rolex copy". After i got this piece, i'm really so impressed by it's built quality that i brought it out for the first time to "flash" to others...this time round, we met again, nothing came out from him. Ha! This is a keeper!
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6th purchase- added 11Jul- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" BLACK w/ETA 2824 movement hacking auto
After numbers of months of adding and searching SANDOZ divers, i finally decided to get the Black bezel SS bracelet/case one to be the perfect replacement to my last BLACK bezel SS bracelet/case diver for the next ten years journey. Some minor cosmetic difference were noted, that includes bigger date font(i wonder if it is caused by the curve of the cyclops magnifier on the crystal), and curvy bezel. Otherwise the rest looked the same.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This should also serve for my own record, as well as to whom maybe interested...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st purchase- added 25Feb- STEINHART Ocean One Green w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
Ever since the last economy crunch, it takes me quite some time to find a well-paid job. But even if my salary had stabilized, there are just some numbers of outstanding issues to clear. So it took me almost 15mths later to get my first piece, since the last break before 2007.
The last time, when i serve the last company i worked with, i would get myself a TITONI at the year end to signify the time and sacrifice with the organization.
This time round, i eyed upon the brand Steinhart, which i have seen numbers of positive comments from different collectors around the world, leaving me with positive impressions.
Looking at their website catalogue, as well as Gnomon's, majority of the watch design are either too dressy or too soft for me... except their divers range. Divers with Black bezel are just too common, either on Ocean One Black or Vintage Red. I was just a tad too late to join back the watch interest that i had missed the Ocean One with BLUE. So i went ahead with the Green bezel OO. Placed an order with Gnomon, for ten over days, which i didn't expected i would need to wait as Gnomon had listed it as available. Initially a little frustrated over this long period of time wasted, and wanted to cancel my order. When i get the watch finally, all my frustrations are blown off by the attractive construction quality and workmanship of the piece. 10 days waiting time, 12 blue bills are really well worth spent.
On the following begin of next workweek, i happily put on the OOG on my wrist to work, this lasted for the next 2wks or so... until, a Jap colleague from another department says this in the same lift we're in, "What a nice looking Rolex copy...".
Sigh... my Steinhart kenna suan by a Rolex worshipper for being a copy... I guess i'll have to put you in the box, bring you out some other time to walk around lo...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd purchase- added 14Apr- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" dual tone, BLACK dial w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
Looking at my "Submariner" which have been with me through thick and thin, tough and relax times, bright and dark period- the 2007 economy crunch down... i keep telling my daily beating partner, "i'll find you a good substitute when times come." So the searching journey begins...
After all this while, i want to look for something that looks well and polished, so i had been looking at the dual toned Sandoz "Submariner" Black at different shops, getting different price quotes. The last time i bought my SS submariner, i paid about SGD$250 for the piece. This time round i was quoted mostly close to 8 blue bills for the dual-toned. Err...okay... sounds reasonable for the gold plating... so i checked with the last shop whom i frequent before the dark period, i'm quoted for 7 blue bills with some extra notes. That's really a good bargain! Hoot Ahh! I immediately ask to take the piece in the showcase, but the seller advise me to wait as he will order for me, collect at other date as he needs that piece for "luring" purpose... Low price quote, 2wks waiting period, where can find such offer else where. I happily take the offer.
Got the watch less than 10days later. After sometime, find that the gold plating is too blinky for my working environment, as well as too high profiled... quit the idea of having this piece to be my daily ticker. This goes into my other collections...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd purchase- added 14May- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" dual tone, BLUE dial w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
After i got my black, dual tone submariner on that day in april, i walk towards Mustafa to shop for some grocery, then i stumble across this BLUE dial, dual tone submariner. Alamak... why didn't this piece comes earlier to my sight ley... So i call the Bencoolen guy to check with him, since it's still a little early to him closing shop, he claims that he have no idea about this model, that he have to check with his supplier. "HUH? How come you so not updated one???", this thought comes into my mind immediately. I asked him to take his time to check with his supplier, as i thought that the retail price may not be low, since it is a blue dial.
Got his reply 2wks later(yeah... ... no choice wor, even though under his hand, got another 7 employee to feed, service quality to other customers must not be neglected... too much people look for him for the CASIO G-shock liao lah...), surprise to learn that the price is the same as what paid for the dual tone black last month. The bug in my mind keeps telling me, "This piece must not be missed!"... so placed order, got the piece 1mth later... Now sitting nicely in my box.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th purchase- added 15Jun- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" SS, PEPSI bezel
w/ETA 2824 movement, hacking auto
The last 2 purchase was "too dressy" for my working environment. Hence i will have to be on the trip again to various shops to look for the perfect rookie to replace my near 10yrs old soldier. I've seen the PEPSI numbers of time, thought that the bezel seems quite cheesy to be a rough and tough piece for my replacement. But after some time reading other discussion threads in various forum, it seems to me that the half blue half red bezels really doesn't bothers me much. So i made my mind to get this seeing whether does it fit to be the new recruit.
To my surprise, due to some kind unknown popularity, i was quoted different price, mostly slightly higher price tag for the PEPSI bezel model. So i call up to my regular "supplier" for quotation, got an offer for the same price as the regular black model. Made the order, got the watch in 2wks time. Initially i was surprise why i'm given such a special offer... until i turn my head to his showcase, his "display" piece is not present, i smell something fishy... Then i confirm, this is his display piece, when i look at the bracelet link at the lug noticing the un-usual curve of the link. "KNN"... initially this curse comes into my mind, but i didn't confront him immediately. After all, i need not to pay the extra 3 red bills which i was quoted else where. I smilingly accepted the piece.
Although this is a display piece, to my surprise, not a single scratch or dirt can be found on the main body, casing as well as the bezel. The only pity falls on the clasp hook that seems to be a little loose, perhaps due to frequent open and close when other folks may have tried on their wrist. Disappointment aside, this is a good catch. Did i put it on frequently? Oooo... the heat lasted a few months, until it was cooled down by a cheap gift from China. Sounds weird huh?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5th purchase- added 24Jun- STEINHART Ocean BLACK 44 DLC w/ETA 2824 movement hacking auto
After the last incident, with the Jap Rolex worshipper's comment on my "Green Beret", i didn't put on my 1st STEINHART often, even when i go out. My wrist feels kind of empty. Remembering that i had seen the Ocean Black DLC 42 listed in GNOMONs site before, so i tried my luck to order a piece to see whether will i get the same negative comments of "nice looking Rolex copy". After i got this piece, i'm really so impressed by it's built quality that i brought it out for the first time to "flash" to others...this time round, we met again, nothing came out from him. Ha! This is a keeper!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6th purchase- added 11Jul- SANDOZ diver "Submariner" BLACK w/ETA 2824 movement hacking auto
After numbers of months of adding and searching SANDOZ divers, i finally decided to get the Black bezel SS bracelet/case one to be the perfect replacement to my last BLACK bezel SS bracelet/case diver for the next ten years journey. Some minor cosmetic difference were noted, that includes bigger date font(i wonder if it is caused by the curve of the cyclops magnifier on the crystal), and curvy bezel. Otherwise the rest looked the same.
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