Hermès Cape Cod CC1.710 Automatic (Double Tour) Silver Dial @2007 - Nonchalant Parisian Sophistication, A Review

To be honest, I wan not in the hunt for a watch. My trip to Langkawi, a holiday island in the North of the the Malaysian peninsular was purely for rest and relaxation. However, the small boutique shop at the resort that I was staying in had a small section offering preowned knickknacks. In one of the boxes was five watches, a Rado, a Longines, the Hermes and two other brands that I cannot recall. The Hermes was the only watch in the batch that called to me. Visually, the watch looks legit. Unfortunately, the watch did not come with any paperwork or the watch box. However, based on the code stamped on the strap, the watch was manufactured in 2007. 

 

After investigating further (I even did a water drop test and the cold test for the sapphire crystal), I concluded that that the watch is indeed original. Without thinking further, I paid RM500 for it. 

As the watch is approximately 19 years old, I may need to send it for a total service with some buffing on the casing. Total investment will still be well below the current price of about RM8,000 for a preowned (albeit complete with papers and box).

 

On reflection, this is my first watch by Hermès. It is also on a smaller side as it is categorized as a ladies watch. 

 

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.

Seiko Prospex Alpinist GMT Limited Edition SPB409J1 (similar to SPB377J1 & SPB379J1) - A Great Candidate for the ‘Best General Purpose Watch’, A Review (plus Video)

The sub-series Alpinist has been one of my favourites. In the collection, I have the first modern Alpinist, the SARB017, the digital model SBEB013, the modernized SPB117 and a special re-creation, SJE085. 

For the 110th anniversary of Seiko's first wristwatch, the company launched limited edition timepieces in a number of sub-lines. One of the sub-lines is the Alpinist. This new variant comes with an added twist - a GMT movement while still retaining the DNA that makes the Alpinist famous.

Seiko has been vary prolific in 2023 when it comes to GMT functionality. A number of new models with their new GMT movement was launched throughout the year with a lot of positive feedback. The Alpinist was also given the GMT option.

I decided to get the silver dialed version which is a limited edition design withhas a total circulation limit of 3,000 units. I got it from AWG Mid Valley

Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Chronograph SBGC201G Sports Collection (similar to SBGC203G) - Quintessentially Seiko, A Review (plus Video)

As a collector, the Grand Seiko brand sits in the a unique class of other exclusive brands, Swiss and non-Swiss that exudes excellence of design and styling. Some would even say that it is the top brand out of all other brands. Regardless how one would rank the brand, everyone would agree Grand Seiko watches are first class.

Grand Seiko Spring Drive GMT Chronograph SBGC201G Sports Collection on my wrist

Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 in Japan) - Nostalgia of the Swinging Sixties, A Review (plus Video)

In 1964, Seiko created another historical milestone for the brand when it launched a mechanical chronograph which also happens to be the first for Japan. The watch in question was created to be in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics which happens to be in Tokyo, Japan (more about this later). This year, Seiko decided to commemorate that occasion with the launch of the Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 if you are in Japan).

Seiko actually launched two limited edition watches to commemorate its milestones in mechanical chronograph movements. Apart from the SRQ031J1, Seiko also launched the SRQ029J1. While the SRQ031J1 honoured the 1964 milestone, the SRQ029J1 honoured the 1969 milestone instead. The 1964 milestone is Seiko's first manual winding chronograph while the 1969 milestone is Seiko's first automatic chronograph, the 6189.

I already have the SRQ029J1 in the collection (please click here to go the full review) and the acquisition of the SRQ031J1 completes the collection.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Face 2 Face II Auto Chrono Limited Edition Reference H32866781 - Very Unique, A Review

In 2013 Hamilton released something really non-Hamilton-like in so many ways. The Jazzmaster Face 2 Face caught many off-guard with its oval shaped watch casing, its unique double ETA movements powering opposing dials. The opposing watch faces can be flipped between a standard 3-hand watch face or a chronograph face (hence the name of the watch). Unfortunately, the value proposition which Hamilton envisage for the watch and the pricing set was not conducive and put off a lot of people.

Having listened to the feedback, Hamilton tried again in 2016 with the latest rendition, the Jazzmaster Face 2 Face II reference H32866781. This time around, Hamilton's designers have created something more contemporary and utilising the many dead spaces in the original Face 2 Face. More importantly, the value proposition which Hamilton envisage for the new watch and the pricing set is now more grounded in reality.

Vulcain Cricket Dual-Time Reference 100105.019M Silver Dial Stainless Steel Bracelet - Mechanical Alarm Icon, A Review (plus Video)

I have always fancied a mechanical alarm wristwatch. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Memovox Alarm and the Vulcain Cricket series of alarm watches are two options that I wanted to add into the collection. However, the price points of these watches are too high for my wallet. It was just a stroke of luck that I happened to be in one of my favourite ADs in Kuala Lumpur which was keen to release their Vulcain stocks for an insane discount.

Vulcain is not well-known in Kuala Lumpur. Unlike other mainstream Swiss brands, Vulcain is deemed to more 'American'. This was due to its association with former United States President Harry S. Truman, who wore one of their watches and helped inspire the brand’s reputation as “the watch for Presidents”. Vulcain milked it aggressively and even initiated a gift programme of a Vulcain watch to every seating President of the United States since to propagate the notion that it is the watch of choice for any holder of the office. For more insight of this sub-story, please refer to the a special section at the end of this review.

I decided to choose the Vulcain Cricket Dual-Time Reference 100105.019M to be a new member of the collection as this is the most basic of the mechanical alarm examples available (also the cheapest). This particular model has the silver dial with stainless steel bracelet.

Ingersoll 1892 ID00202 Limited Edition Disney New Haven Wristwatch (similar to ID00202) - For Disney Fans, A Review (plus Video)

I love anything Disney and when that brand joins up with a watch, I am all keen to know more. Ingersoll 1892 has been doing a co-branding with Disney since 1933. The one that I have for a few years now is the 30's Collection Watch. That watch is truly magical.

Historically, the first Ingersoll Disney watch was produced in 1933 where it featured Mickey Mouse on the dial with a seconds sub-dial. It was a marketing success and by 1957, 25 million of such timepieces was sold (Mr. Walt Disney was presented with the 25 millionth Ingersoll Disney watch that year).

Unlike the original designs, this particular version (the ID00201) is more sedated with normal hands and without a seconds sub-dial. The only thing that gives it away as a Disney timepiece is a rather unobtrusive and nonchalant Mickey Mouse leaning against the 9 o'clock marker with both hands and legs crossed.

In all honesty, this purchase was purely opportunistic. I didn't plan to get it but when I saw it, I just can't let go.

Solvil et Titus 06-1107-004 - A Practical Watch But One With No Soul, A Review

My wife and kids bought this watch for me many years ago. To me, this was the first time that I've heard about the brand. After a short internet search I got the following:



 "The brand Solvil et Titus was born in 1887 when Paul Ditisheim (1868-1945), an extremely prominent figure in the Swiss watch industry of his time, named one of the initial models he created. Solvil, an abbreviation of Sonvilier, is the Jura village in which a factory for making watch components stood and Titus was a highly talented and skilled Roman Emperor of the first century.

The well-known watchmaker and inventor was extremely successful in researching and manufacturing chronometers, which hold records for precision as deemed by the prestigious international trials carried out by the Royal Observatories of Kew-Teddington and Neuchâtel. His products ranged greatly from navigational-purposed watches to chronometers with automatic display of sunrise and sunset time to the minute each day; from watches with perpetual calendars to ones that could strike and incorporated chimes, from chronometers with equations of time to many others with many complicated features.