Watchnuts Getting Together at Bistro 1855

It has been awhile since we all got together for our get together. For the first time in 2016, us watch nuts managed to find time to meet and share.

This time around, we chose Bistro 1855 which is conveniently located at Suntec City. Owner of Bistro 1855, Patrick Sng gave us a "special" - buffet spread with free flow of beverages. As usual, I arrived earlier on to ensure the arrangements are all in order... early birds coming to help me here.

This time around, the theme was around "New Purchases" and "Non Steel or Gold" timepieces. This means we all have to be double wristed. First highlight of the evening was a "mini" Speedy gathering - 5 Speedmaster Pro and only one "original". The Snoopy Silver Award Limited Edition, the "original" Snoopy Apollo 10, another Special Edition From The Moon To Mars and then there is the original Speedmaster Pro.

It is usual for us to start with the food.

And the beverage...

Lots of chatting and sharing over everything under the sun... New purchases, special pieces etc. Amongst the early birds were owners of two Lange timepieces - an earlier Saxonia in platinum and the 1815 Saxomat in plat too. What a beautiful pair!

And the case back of the 1815 Saxomat...

Another special piece is the Made In Japan Seiko Nano Universe which is only available in Japan. Minimalist in their design, this belongs to a friend who frequents Japan a lot. Seiko did this in collaboration with the fashion brand Nano Universe.

Then there is the Ronin watch - another simple Pilot inspired piece.

Then of course there was the newest timepiece of the evening - The Seiko Prospex SRPA21K1 Diver's timepiece. The Pepsi Turtle was literally "hours old". Fresh from the AD.

We have our dinner and drinks and soon enough, it was display time! Hermes, De Bethune, Movas, Jaeger LeCoultre, Ronin, Seiko... many brands and very different price points.

Centre table and it gets more crowded... what can you spot on the table? Two very interesting Chronographs on the table. Both very iconic for their respective brands.

And at the end of the table the Speedies gather...

The nice thing about such gatherings is that you get to see and feel pieces you did not previously know about and is totally off your own radar. Take for instance this Rado DiaMaster. I normally associate this owner with higher end pieces but what intrigued him was the Ultra-light high-tech ceramic case of this piece and the black finishing on the back which features a UNITAS handwound movement.

These days, Bronze is the new steel... Dietrich, Heroic18, Movas, Oris, REC and Tudor. One is so new that the plastic wrap is still on!

And a few interesting piece like the RAW 2 from local brand Movas.

And another bronze piece from Movas - the Bronze Officer.

A beautifully guilloche De Bethune DB5.

The Oris Carl Brashear Limited Edition which features a multi-piece bronze case. Limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide, it has been sold out since its launch.

And the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity with their off-centre dial and visually arresting escapement on the front. Not only is it in front, the escapement is also made of silicon.

And you don't often see this combination in the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Rose gold and Tantalum and in 36mm size.

And all too soon it was 11pm! Too many timepieces and too little time to shoot them all. Many thanks to the staff of Bistro 1855 who were very accommodating and Patrick for making special arrangements for us. And thanks to all who showed up. Looking forward to having another GTG soon. Independent watchmakers perhaps?

How do you repair a mechanical watch?

My father left me a mechanical timepiece - one he wore all his life and was found in my mum's drawers some time back. It is a Rotary. And until recently, I had wanted to find someone I could trust to have it restored and Sean came to the rescue.

Sean is the brand owner of MoVas watches and I had approached him to see if the watch was still serviceable. First issue Sean encountered was opening the case back. No matter what tools he used, the case back could not be opened? Normally, one would abandon the plan but not Sean. He fabricated a tool to open the case - such is his dedication.

This is a picture of the special tool Sean made just to be able to remove the case back.

And the result?

And the dial and plexi glass...

Old unserviced movement...

Unbelievably clean. Sean had it cleaned and regulated and then had it put back again. Sean had tried to clean the dial but I wanted it to be the same condition so it was left untouched. And the final product?

What a nice present from Sean - fully cleaned movement and working in good condition too.

And the case back, cleaned and nicely polished. Next thing I need to do is to find a "correct" bracelet as the one my father had was not the original bracelet.

Many thanks again to Sean for a job well done!

MoVas Oceaner II - Edition Red

MoVas launched their new range earlier this year and recently I received a piece unique Oceaner II Edition Red.

Sean is a talented individual - not only is he a self taught designer and watchmaker, he is also known in the cycling circle as the first person in Singapore to make titanium bike frames. When I saw the red edition of Oceaner II, I had already told Sean I wanted one. And so here it is - a piece unique prototype for moi!

I like the box! Creative Sean, creative. See the message on the side of the box?

First impressions - I like the style, the size and the colour. I chose red, remember?

One shake and the watch winds well and runs for quite awhile.

These are my first shots of the timepiece and I shall be taking a few more and doing a more in-depth blog. But on first impressions... I like it. Thanks to Sean for letting have the red prototype. For more information please visit the MoVas website.