Grand Seiko Elegance Collection SBGK009 (similar to SBGK002, SBGK004, SBGK005 & SBGK007) - Subtle and Sophisticated Character, A Review (plus Video)

The pricing by Grand Seiko is getting very painful to swallow. This is the consequence of the Seiko Group adopting the Swiss business strategy to set the Grand Seiko as a luxury brand instead just a better model compared to the rest of the Seiko lineup. 

To be brutally honest, I do have a Swiss watch bias. If we compare the quality of manufacturing, the polishing and the overall packaging, Grand Seiko shines heads-and-shoulders above contemporary Swiss watches like Rolex or Omega (this is my humble opinion - you may agree of disagree but lets agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion).

Recently, I was given a - once in a blue moon - opportunity to acquire two Grand Seikos. This first is the SBGK009 which is reviewed here and the second...I am keeping it a secret for now. It will be up on the blog after this review goes out.

 

If you know me, I would take the SBGK005 over the SBGK009 because of the brilliant blue dial of the former. However, having a model with a bracelet option is a better choice to make. Hence, I chose the SBGK009 over the rest.

Marathon Officer’s Field Watch Mechanical (OFM)/Stainless Steel General Purpose Mechanical (GPM-SS) NGM Reissue Mechanical Ref. WW194003SS-NGM - A Very Flexible Watch, A Review (plus Video)

This will be my third Marathon watch. Although the watches of Marathon are designed as utilitarian time pieces able to withstand abuse, they are not as easily available when compared to the widespread interest in these kind of watches. Hence, the price for a Marathon watch has a (perceived) high premium attached.

Although Marathon has a number of models on offer, there are three designs I like. The GSAR, the GPM and the OFM. I already have the first two and now I complete the pack with acquisition of the OFM/GPM-SS.

The OFM was always available on Gnomon Singapore website even at the time when I got the GSAR and GPM. I took my time to acquire the watch as I was focused on acquiring others first. 

It so happened that I got a discount coupon that allowed me to finally get the watch below MSRP on Gnomon. I immediately logged into the website and made my booking. It didn't take long before the watch was on my desk.

 

Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical H76419931 - A Re-craft of the Classic W10, A Review (plus Video)

One of Hamilton's enduring legacy is its connection to military watches. No, I am not taking about "wannabes" military style watches but actual watches endorsed and pressed into actual military service. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hamilton became one of the manufacturers of watches for the British Army. These pieces are very easy to recognise thanks to their “broad arrow” markings on their dials. Hamilton's more famous design was the W10. This went into production between 1973 and 1976. It was made specifically for the Royal British Air Force.

In 2019, the brand announced a re-craft of the original W10. In the press release, Hamilton used the term “exact remake of the W10” which I believe only refers to the dimensions. This in itself is very good as a lot of 'remakes' nowadays do not strictly follow the original dimensions, just the basic shape.

The Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical came at the heels of the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. In Hamilton's website, the expected release date was September 2019. Imagine my suprise to see a few examples already on display in a Hamilton AD in Kuala Lumpur by early November 2019. I had to get it and I chose the nylon NATO strap version.

Orient FDD03003Y0 Monarch Mechanical Watch (similar to: FDD03001W0 & FDD03002B0) - A Delightfully Cheap and Impressive Dress Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I have been eyeing the Orient Monarch series of watches for a number of years. Introduced in late 2015, the vintage-inspired watch was an addition to Orient's already extensive dress watch repertoire.  However, there is a slight twist in that it is powered by a mechanical winding only engine. Coupled with a domed crystal, old font markings and power reserve indicator, the watch has that old-school appeal reminiscent of the dress watches of the pre-war era.

Unfortunately, the pricing in Malaysia is rather too rich when compared to prices from internet merchants. The MSRP in Malaysia is RM1,350.00 (with GST). The best discount I could find was RM945.00. Instead,  I was able to get via Amazon.com an example for just USD193.12 (or RM 814.31) inclusive of courier and import taxes. Aramex is the courier used.

There are three examples in the Monarch line; the white dial reference FDD03003Y0, the black dial reference FDD03002B0 and the gold plated casing reference FDD03001W0. Out of the three, my favourite is the white dial and stainless steel casing FDD03003Y0. This is the example that I bought through Amazon.com.

Orient Manual Winding 21 Jewel Power Reserve Pocket Watch CDD00001W/DD00001W “Epoch” (similar to CDD00002W/DD00002W) – Traditional, A Review

I used to have a pocket watch a very long-time ago. I guess, I was just a pre-teen when I got it from a holiday trip in Europe. The thing I remembered about it was that it was gold plated and it had a cover for the dial. Unfortunately, I couldn’t remember what happened to it. After more then 30 years has lapsed and I was in a position to rekindle the love affair I had with a pocket watch.



Nevertheless, I realized my taste in the style of pocket watches has changed. Instead of the garish gold-plated variety with ornate embossed images on the metal surfaces, I am now more into clean lines and plainness. I am also into quality and pedigree which is hard to come by when it comes to pocket watches.

Parnis 44mm White Dial Swan Neck Hand Winding Watch - My first Chinese watch, A Review

Bank in October 2011, I happened to find information about Parnis, a brand from China. I was surprised to see the price quoted on the watches. So, on 28 October 2011 I made an order for the Parnis 44mm White Dial Swan Neck Hand Winding watch. Priced at USD85 + USD20 for postage, I got the watch within a week. My first Chinese watch.

The watch did not come with a display box. It was just bubble-wrapped in a normal brown envelop.  I was apprehensive at first but after taking it out of the packaging, the watch looks much better than it look in photos. Most importantly, it still works after going through the post as it did.