A Lang & Sun - The Lang 1943

I recently visited the Singapore Watch Fair and managed to meet the team behind the brand Lang 1943. No surprises I fell in love with the Field Watch.

And not just any Field Watch, but the limited edition A Lang & Sun... Fun watch and an even more fun name. While we were at SWF, Professor Harry Tan and I had the opportunity to photograph the full range on display. Georg, Sabrina and Majed were nice enough to allow us free rein to photograph all their pieces, including the prototypes.

Starting with the Retro collection, the Retro Green and Retro Orange are limited to 25 pieces each.The dial on the Retro collection is sandblasted and rhodium coated and the numerals are neon green and orange to truly bring out the liveliness on these pieces.

This is a piece you will not find on their website - a protoype red fume dial.

Then there is the limited edition 'The Onion Crown King,' so named because the co-founder of Lang 1943, Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, was also the founder of the famed Chronoswiss brand, which he sold in 2012. As you may know, Mr. Lang introduced the onion crown from pocket watches to wristwatches, and the limited edition rekindles this moment in time. This timepiece, done in collaboration with seconde/seconde/, can be identified by the small 's' found on the onion crown on the seconds (onion) wheel."

And this bronze version of the Field Watch Edition One, taken off the wrist of CEO Georg Bartkowiak, the patina on the bronze case is already quite evident.

Just wondering when they will be releasing this one - or if they ever will. It would be a waste if they don't, IMHO.

But what I liked the most was the bright and sunny A Lang & Sun!

Paired with the bright yellow strap with a sky blue backing really brings out the enjoyment on this piece. Aptly called A Lang and Sun, it also can be paired with a bracelet...

But I find that the strap version works better for me.

Also done in collaboration with seconde/seconde/, notice that the sun wheel has a red tip and a small "s"? No prizes for guessing what those are for. If there is one gripe, I guess I would have preferred a hacking seconds movement.

The markers and numberals are luminuous too.

Based on the vintage Marvin 700 movement, this is an exclusive L43.1 calibre used specifically for the Field Watch.

The manual winding calibre has an approximate 46 hours of power reserve and the watch case comes in at 39mm.

The bracelet comes with a quick release catch - so easy taking it off and putting it on.

Notice the 2 pushes on either side of the lock on the bracelet? Well, that is an extension mechanism that allows the wearer to extend the bracelet links. This is the so called "half link" extension that one might need if a full link is too long and less one is too short. Additionally, when our wrists expands in the afternoon, this catch comes in real handy.

The good folks at Lang 1943 have a nice sense of humour... even the box comes with the model A Lang & Sun.

But what is more surprising is the watch box - a solid Pelican case housing the timepiece.

No effort is spared to ensure that you get great value for money. From the timepiece to the packaging, Lang 1943 has outdone themselves.

Of the lot that is featured here, which is your favourite iteration? And if you are wondering why 1943, well that is the birth year of founder Gerd-Rüdiger Lang. He has, unfortunately, passed away in March 2023 just as Lang 1943 was taking off. Let's continue to support the man and his vision.

October GTG at Seafood Shack - Part 1

So the 2 themes this time around was around (1) Coloured Dial (non black or white) and (2) GMT or Second Time Zone pieces... and again, the variety was definitely not disappointing. This time around, dinner was hosted at Seafood Shack in Gillman Barracks.

But the news of the day was this NWA... when I shot this Chopard LUC XP, it was all of 1 hour old!

Featuring the micro-rotor caliber L.U.C 96.53-L, the movement is refined and fiished exceptionally well.

The 2 handed timepiece has a brushed dial and lovely blued hands.

Although the Chopard did not fall into either the category, we also ask our collector friends to bring along their new acquisitions. And the Chopard definitely fit into that category. Smoking hot!

So what's in the category of coloured dials (no black, no white)?

The NHC Analogica jumping hour with a red dial (above).

The there is the Vintage Seiko Lord Matic Automatic with a purple dial. Retro looking!

Bright and sunny is the Lang 1943 Field Watch, A Lang & Sun edition. A nice play on the brand A. Lange & Sohne, this fun watch is limited to 25 pieces and done in collaboration with seconde/seconde/.

Movement is an exclusive L43.1 calibre, based on the Marvin 700 movement.

No black, no white, no problem... there is always purple. The 34mm Seiko automatic "Chariot" 2411-0050 with a purple dial and gradient cut sapphire glass. What a unique and handsome piece.

How about a "no dial"... this Atowak Tarantula Jungle Green.

Or the Vayth wandering hours.

Still on the "no dial" theme, the Orient Star Skeleton. Very striking with those blue hands, the skeleton is well made and value for money.

No, it's not a black dial but a rather colourful Bell & Ross BR03-94 Chronograph. I'd say this one qualifies as a colourful dial, no?

Back to regular channel folks... a blue dial Seiko Prospex Transocean Diver SBDC047. A really attractive blue dial diver.

Rounding off the blue theme is the Schaffen S65 Sports watch.

And for the last dial variation, we feature the Lang 1943 Field Watch Edition One with a fume dial. We were lucky enough to speak with George, Majid and Sabrina during the recently concluded Singapore Watch Fair and George told us the fume dial was created by chance. But I leave that for another day. This 39mm field watch comes with a bracelet (quick release and micro adjustment) and when you swap it out for the strap, gives a totally different look and feel.

So much for the dial variations. Next post will feature the dualt time zones and GMTs... another very interesting range of timepieces. Stay tuned!

Spring Sprang Sprung 2023 - Some Watches I Saw

This is the second year I attended Spring Sprang Sprung - a watch event featuring Micro-brands from around the region.

For me, this Konnii Koi timepiece epitomises the length to which micro brands differentiate themselves. Owner of the brand Alfred is based in Malaysia and travelled to Singapore for this event. The timepiece is made with rotating discs featuring a geisha feeding the koi in the pond while waiting for her lover.

What a way to be telling time - the lotus flower in the centre represents the seconds while one koi represents the hour and another the minutes. The entire dial is hand made - kois hand crafted and hand painted and so are the other ornaments. Impressive detailed work - perfect imperfection.

Another interesting new brand is Bauche watches. I spoke with the owner Ranndie and he tells me the dial is made with three layers. one dial, layered three times.

And here the blue dial version. Comes with a closed case back as the feature is the dial work.

One of the highlight for me was seeing the Feynman One Galaxy Nacre in flesh. Launched at the event, this timepiece is limited to 20 pieces.

And as you cani imagine, the 20 pieces have sold out. So enjoy the images here or find one of the lucky owners...

Horizon watches have been making some interesting pieces and this piece is no exception - the Pilgrim Pistachio.

Lovely coloured dial - something both man and woman can wear.

Grand Feu Enamel? Yup, this is from Selten Watch, a Hong Kong based microbrand.

And then there is the moonphase piece - One with a rotating disc and a hidden lady on the moon...

And another a regular moonphase timepiece.

Of course there is Atelier Wen with their Perception range of timepieces...

Both the ice blue and salmon dials are very attractive.

I believe this to be new too - the Arcturus Vanda Tourbillon. What I've taken are 2 variations but they do have other colour combinations.

Tomorrow (Sunday, 22nd October 2023) marks the last day of the event. They open at 11am and is being held at the XM Studio at 809 Kitchener Road (level 3). Head on down to support the microbrands.