Monthly Archives: November 2013

Spook Sighted: Fortis B-42 Pilot Professional Chronograph Phantom Edition F-4F Phantoms Phorever

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The Fortis B-42 Pilot Professional Chronograph, from what we understand, pays tribute to the F-4F Phantom II of the German Air Force. Priced at around US$4,000 / 2,400 euros / 3,000 Swiss francs / SGD4,000 / 10,000 Malaysian Ringgit. Limited to 175 pieces. Photo: © Fortis

In June 2013, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) decommissioned their last squadron of F4-F Phantoms after 40 years of military service. The F-4F Phantom has been replaced with the Eurofighter Typhoon. There are a few variants of the F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber and the F-4F Phantom used by the German Air Force was a simplified version which was eventually upgraded. … More →

Ralph Lauren RL67 Tourbillon: the sporty attraction

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Ralph Lauren’s key highlight for 2013: the RL67 Tourbillon from its Safari collection. Comes in a 44.8mm diameter case and the thickness of 11.8mm. The stainless steel case features an interesting gunmetal finish. Priced at around US$56,000 / 42,000 euros / 51,000 Swiss francs / 179,000 Malaysian Ringgit / S$69,700. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

The RL67 Tourbillon from Ralph Lauren’s Safari collection is a watch of intrigue. Being the brand’s first high complication led to the fascination and so did its dark “dressing” – a stainless steel watchcase with a gunmetal finish. Its rugged looks are complemented by the beige Roman numeral hour indexes. Moreover, the gunmetal finish was deliberately made to look worn … More →

Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 Mark II: Mark your dates!

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This Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller ref. 1665 Mark II with tropical dial, ref. 1665, is being offered by Swiss Auctions during its auction on 28 November 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The asking price for this piece, Lot 523, is between US$32,000 and US$38,400 or between MYR108,800 and MYR130,600 (Malaysian Ringgit) [Source: Swiss Auctions catalogue]. Photo: © Swiss Auctions

It is simply described as the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 with a brown dial powered by an automatic movement and housed in a 40mm diameter stainless steel case in the catalogue. This is Lot 523 and it is being offered for sale by Swiss Auctions, a unit of DKSH, on 28 November 2013 during its “Important Timepieces Malaysia … More →

Rolex Panerai 3646: Rare because few dared

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The Rolex Panerai 3646 was sold for £56,250 at the same Bonham’s 4 December auction. Photo: © Bonhams

There is a nice history to Panerai wristwatches and it dates back to the 1930s when the company began supplying diver’s wristwatches to the Italian Royal Navy. Among the early watches was the Rolex Panerai 3646 which is powered by the manual-winding Calibre 618 based on the Cortébert movement and cases supplied by Rolex. The 47mm Rolex Panerai 3646 seen … More →

Baume & Mercier Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon: Around 10

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The Baume & Mercier Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon is limited to 30 pieces. Priced at around US$60,000 / 45,000 euros / SGD75,000. Photo: TANG Portfolio. 2013 Watches&Wonders, Hong Kong

At the recent Watches&Wonders exhibition held in Hong Kong in September 2013, the key highlight presented by Baume & Mercier was its Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon wristwatch in 18K red gold. The main question for those not too familiar with the brand is probably “why?” The answer is basically related back to Baume & Mercier’s watchmaking history. In 1892, Baume … More →