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.

 

Citizen Silver Leaf Lacquer Urushi Aquamarine Blue NB060-12L Automatic JDM (Similar to the NB1060-04A) - Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship with Modern Watchmaking, A Review (plus Video)

In July 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Japan, specifically the city of Kumamoto on the the island of Kyushu. I was excited as I would be able to get the chance to set my sights on JDMs (Japanese Domestic Models) from the stables of both Seiko and Citizen. 

One unintended question that I got answered is about availability. Contrary to popular belief, there is no Seiko or Citizen AD on every street corner in Japan. The number of ADs in Kumamoto is limited despite the fact that it is a vibrant town with a bullet train station.

Anyway, to cut the story short, my hunt turned out to be a disappointment. Nonetheless, there was a bright spot to the trip as the last location in Japan, before I left, Tokyo Haneda International Airport had a shop with a small selection of Japanese watches.

Not a lot of choices but it did carry JDM models. What caught my eye was the Citizen Silver Leaf Lacquer Urushi Aquamarine Blue NB1060-12L. The colour and the simplicity of the design was perfect. I have yet have a Urushi dial watch in the collection and this model is just the perfect specimen for the addition.

As the shop was located in the Duty Free section of the Airport, I was able to get a good deal.

Omega Mooncake - A long tradition of celebrating cultural events, Omega mooncake gift-giving initiative is a nod to the Mid-Autumn Festival

On 14 September 2024, I got a call from a courier service on behalf of Omega Malaysia. A special gift is awaiting delivery. After giving them my location, this arrived.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional with White Lacquered Dial 42 mm Steel-on-Steel Reference 310.30.42.50.04.001 - A Story of Space Exploration, of Craftsmanship, and of Timeless Style, A Review (plus Video)

I finally got my Moonwatch. On hindsight, it was lucky for me to have waited this long to get my hands on a Moonwatch Professional. Due to the long wait, this beauty, the Moonwatch with lacquered white dial became part of the repertoire of Omega and hence gave me more options.

My journey in ownership of the Moonwatch Professional had a number of detours which made this acquisition a long time in coming. Prior to this purchase, I was able to get the Speedmaster Reduce and later the Speedmaster Mark II. I though I will be satisfied with these two but in actual fact it fueled my demand further. The Moonwatch Professional is a mechanical winding watch whereas the Reduce and the Mark II are not.

 

When the watch was made available in March 2024, I was interested due to the white dial. I love white dial watches and I have quite a number in my collection. It will take sometime before units be made available for Malaysia. My trusty dealer at the Omega Boutique was keeping an eye out for me and when a unit became available, she immediate informed me.

Unfortunately, Omega Boutiques in Malaysia can no longer offer discounts. I had to purchase the watch at retail price. Nonetheless, my dealer did compensate me with gifts to sweeten the deal.

A Gift from Omega and an Invitation to get the Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary Timepiece

Recently, I got a message from Omega Boutique in Kuala Lumpur that they are planning to send me a gift. After a week it arrived. A huge box with the Omega brand prominently on the top of the box.