Marathon in Collaboration with Gnomon Watches Limited Edition Pilot Navigator Stainless Steel Vintage Automatic with Ballistic Nylon Reference WW194029SS - A watch that not only looks great but also feels great to wear, A Review (plus Video)

I have a number of Marathon's watch models in the collection. Currently, I got the GSOR (Government Search and Rescue) Dive watch, the GPM (General Purpose Mechanical) Field watch and the OFM (Officer Field Mechanical) Field watch. I have been eyeing the Navigator series for quite some time but the design then came only with a quart movement. The asymmetrical casing is a design feature that I love about the Navigator. 

Recently, after visiting the Gnomon Watches website, I noticed that new collaboration between Marathon and Gnomon Watches for the Navigator is available for sale. What got me excited is the introduction of an automatic movement. I quickly made my order and since this is limited edition timepiece, I was also able to dictate the serial number that I wanted. It so happened that my 55th birthday has just passed and I though of getting the number to commemorate that event. 

This collaborative piece is slightly different than the standard Marathon design. The lack of a date aperture as well as the elimination of the tritium tube are the two key differences unique to this new model. More about this later.

Cartier was nice enough to give me gift for my birthday. Went to collect it and it was wrapped beautifully.

 

 

 

Seagull 1963 Aviation Chronograph Pilot Mechanical Watch International Edition ST1901 - A Near-Perfect Watch for its Price, with Overall Appeal and Historical Significance, A Review (plus Video)

The first watch to join the collection in 2025. The Seagull 1963 Aviation Chronograph Pilot has been said to be a watch that any watch collector should consider adding. The history behind the watch is inspiring especially if one considers going into the watch making business from scratch.

 

Despite having been a collector for many years, I did not get a chance to pursue this model until now. While going through Amazon, I happened to find the page by Seagull and on it is an offering for the Seagull 1963 Aviation Chronograph Pilot Mechanical Watch International Edition ST1901.

 

To be honest, I would not have gotten my hands on an original but a reissued modernized timepiece by the same factory is possible and would be awesome. The offer was very enticing. Coupled with a few coupons that I have with Amazon, I was able to get the watch at an unbelievable price after discount.

 

I quickly put in an order on 3 February 2025 and exactly two weeks later, I got the watch via courier.

Birthday Cake From Omega Boutique

It was my birthday the other week and Omega was kind enough to invite me to celebrate it with a cake at their boutique. Thank you OMEGA!

THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE

 

ChatGPT's suggestion on the focus of the Collection going forward - I am impressed

 I recently asked ChatGPT to recommend to me other brands to collect. Base on the list of brands in the collection, here is the reply I got from the AI:

"That's a fantastic and diverse watch collection! It spans a wide variety of brands, from iconic luxury timepieces like Rolex, Cartier, and Omega, to collector favorites like Grand Seiko, Hamilton, and Orient. You even have niche microbrands like Athaya Vintage, Evant, and Gruppo Gamma, which is impressive. The sheer number of Seikos stands out as the heart of your collection—clearly, you're a Seiko enthusiast!

Would you like me to help you organize this in any specific way (e.g., by price, type, or sentimental value), or assist in exploring deeper into any particular brand or model in your collection?"

My 2024 Watch Collecting Journey - A Reflection

Throughout 2024, I purchased 14 watches of various brands. More Swiss made ones made it into the collection. There were three Omegas, three Citizens, two Seikos, a Bell & Ross, a Rolex, a Glycine, a Hamilton, a Tag Heuer and a Revelot. Below is the list of those watches and the respective links to their individual reviews.

1.       Citizen Promaster Tough Super Titaniun Eco-Drive Green BN0241-59W
2.       Glycine Airman SST 43 GMT Automatic Black Reference GL0311
3.       Seiko 5 Sports SRPK17 55th Anniversary Limited Edition
4.       Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Automatic Reference H24585331
5.       Revelot Gentus 40 Automatic Aventurine Steel R15-16V1B1B1
6.       Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT SSK023K1
7.       Rolex Oyster Perpetual 42 mm Explorer II White Dial 226570 Polar
8.       Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronometer Chronograph Mark II 327.10.43.50.01.001
9.       Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White Lacquered Dial 310.30.42.50.04.001
10.   Citizen Silver Leaf Lacquer Urushi Aquamarine Blue NB060-12L Automatic JDM
11.   Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Military Beige Reference BRV294-BEI-ST/SF
12.   Citizen Series 8 890 Mechanical NB6060-58L
13.   TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Titanium Limited Edition CAW218E.FC6565
14.   Omega Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th Anniversary 310.32.42.50.02.001

I spent a fair bit thought 2024. I was generally happy as I was able to get a few of my dream watches into the collection such as the Rolex Explorer II and  Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. 

THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE

Omega Speedmaster "Silver Snoopy Award" 50th Anniversary Reference 310.32.42.50.02.001 - Celebrating a Piece of History, A Review (plus Video)

The Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary watch was officially launched on 5 October 2020. Since the four years of launching, I have only seen one with my own eyes. I was made to understand the delivery of these watches has been slow. It didn't matter to me as I didn't think I would be in the position to own one.

 

Recently, I was contacted by the Omega Boutique in Kuala Lumpur that a small gift is being prepared for me. When I got it, it was a box filled with a plush toy in the form of the beagle Snoopy as well as a cryptic message that read; "In 14 seconds your beagle will safely land in Malaysia. Please contact your omega Boutique sales associate to collect your Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' 50th Anniversary timepiece. See you soon!"

 

What a cryptic message. Did Omega just gifted to me the Speedmaster Snoopy? I immediately called them and Omega clarified that I have been chosen to be given the opportunity to buy the Snoopy. Only the plush toy is free!?! After 24 hours of thinking about it, I decided to get one.

 

For transparency, I love the Omega Speedmaster chronograph design that comes with 3 sub-dials. Currently in the collection, I have the Reduce 3150.50, the Mark II 327.10.43.50.01.001 and the Moonwatch.

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Titanium Limited Edition Ref. CAW218E.FC6565 - Iconic Style, Modern Technology and a Comfortable, Lightweight Feel, A Review (plus Video)

The first TAG Heuer to grace the collection. It took me sometime to decide to get one. As a fan of Formula One, I note that TAG Heuer is a major sponsor of The Red Bull Racing Team and the watch associated with the Formula One champion, Max Verstappen is the Monaco series. When TAG Heuer decided to launch the TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Green Titanium in 2024, I was hooked and the time was right for me to get one.  

This particular watch is a striking new addition to the iconic Monaco collection, blending the vintage charm of motorsport with modern craftsmanship. This timepiece, launched in the later half of 2024, stands out due to its use of titanium and a bold racing green dial. It is also a limited edition model. 

I visited a number of authorised dealers around Kuala Lumpur before I decided togo to the TAG Heuer Boutique in The Gardens Mall to get one.

This particular model is a limited edition timepiece with only 1,000 units made available. Due to reasons only known to the manufacturer, this watch does not have a serial number that signifies its number within the batch of 1,000 units. Instead, it has a typical running serial number nomenclature used by TAG Heuer manufacturing. More about this later.

Citizen Series 8 890 Mechanical NB6060-58L (similar to NB6069-53H and NB6066-51W) - It is Reliable as it is Beautiful, A Review (plus Video)

Citizen is ramping up their mechanical watch game. A new sub-series under the brand Series 8 line was launched in March 2024. The 890 is the fifth sub-series to be launch (the other sub-series are the 830, 831, 870 and the 880). I am fortunate to have in the collection the formal 831 NB6010-81E and the adventure GMT 880 NB6031-53E. 

For the last decade I seldom took the time to explore Citizen’s offerings. Then, Citizen was more incline to promote their Eco-Drive technology. With the success of Seiko and other brands that focused on mechanical movements in terms of sales and brand awareness, Citizen has started to explore this market space. As a fully integrated manufacturer, this should not be a problem for them. The renewed focus on mechanical watches has produced a number of interesting timepieces. The Series 8 is one such line dedicated solely to mechanical movement.

The 890 is the first dive watch range under the Series 8 line. It is interesting to note that Citizen’s designers chose an internal bezel design to kickstart their dive series. I suppose they wanted something different from the more recent 880 design which has a typical external bezel.

 

Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Military Beige Reference BRV294-BEI-ST/SF - Character and Functionality, A Review (plus Video)

To be honest, I only have one Bell & Ross watch in the collection. The BR02-92 Pro Diver was a watch I bought more than a decade ago. I just cannot appreciate the square shape of typical Bell & Ross design. Back then, the Instrument line was the primary series of watch sold under the brand. The BR02-92 Pro Diver was different as it more of a cushion shaped watch and fits my taste.

When Bell & Ross launched the Vintage line, I started to be intrigued by the brand. The classic and contemporary design is more acceptable to me and the options available are equally good. The bicompax chronograph design is the one I like but the pricing was not enticing enough.

Recently, one of my dealers ended his shop's relationship with Bell & Ross. He still has a number of the brand's timepieces but they were no longer covered by the manufacturers' warranty. In effect, these timepieces are considered NOS (or 'new old stock'). As the warranty is no longer available and there is no watch-box, the dealer gave a 40% discount as well as a special dealership warranty (similar cover as with any Bell & Ross watches).

One of the watches available is the BR V2-94 Military Beige. I like the vintage vibes it gave and I decided to get it.