October GTG at Seafood Shack - Part 2

The Seafood Shack GTG was small and cosy and definitely lots of interesting pieces that I have not seen before. Our gatherings are around two themes (we have two wrists) and this time around they are (1) Coloured Dial (non black or white) and (2) GMT or Second Time Zone pieces. In Part 1 of the coverage, we featured coloured dials. Now, we check out the GMT or Second Time Zone pieces.

Let's explore the first GMT timepiece - the Bvlgari Diagono Professional GMT

This steel 40mm timepiece comes with an automatic movement and a day/night ring around the periphery of the dial.

The Seiko World Time 1964 6217 was first released to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. This vintage piece belongs to one of our vintage collector Ken.

Now on to something more contemporary, the Nomos Zurich Worldtimer Weltzeit "Red Dot" Edition. This piece was made specially in celebration of The Hourglass' 40th Anniversary. Made exclusively for The Hour Glass and Watches of Switzerland, the salmon dial version was limited to 15 pieces, while the white dial version was limited to 35 pieces.

Another anniversary piece is the Grand Seiko GMT 10th anniversary edition. With the lovely royal blue dial, this GMT was limited to 700 pieces.

Up next is the Formex Reef GMT. What's special about this watch is the ability to swap out the bezel yourself. Coming with a special mounting, they sell 6 different coloured bezels.

This one needs no introduction... The 39mm Tudor Blay Bay Pro. Tool watch...

Another Seiko is this Prospex SNR033 GMT featuring a spring drive movement.

Not a GMT but definitely a NWA! HT is on a roll! The customised Ophion Velos 786. Can you tell what's been customized?

The night was made even more wonderful with the food we had at Seafood Shack. We started off with the firefly squid... (food pictures courtesy of Harry Tan)

Then the cold kang kong with lime juice and fried shallots.

Then we each had one chawanmushi (steamed egg) with Dungeness crab meat.

Then came the main course - Fish Soup with somen (below)...

And the signature Hae Mee Tng (prawn noodle soup).

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!

Grand Seiko GMT - SBGM003 & SBGM021

The Grand Seiko range is perhaps the most under-rated mechanical watch. Whether it is mechanical or the Spring Drive, the Grand Seiko represents the best in Japanese watchmaking.

I was first introduced to the Grand Seiko way back in 2006 when a friend showed me the SBGM003 GMT. Fell in love with the watch, simple, yet elegant and functional. An understated functional watch that non-collectors will probably not have heard of.

So when one came up for sale in Singapore, I had to do a favor and introduce it to my friend. And he is a happy man now. Only thing is that he has the SBGM021 while I have the closed case back SBGM003. The watch comes in a nice presentation box with the certificate right on top.

The certificate clearly specifies the details of the watch.

Underneath the Certificate Binder is a nice velvety box.

And when you open the box, it reveals the watch! A simple beauty made to the strictest standards of the Seiko watch manufactory.

So I took out my SBGM003 and took a picture of the watch - side by side. From the dial side, one cannot tell the difference.

But when you turn it back, the difference is revealed. The SBGM003 is the first model with a solid case back - with the GS Lion crown clearly on the case. The SBGM021 is the follow up after SBGM003 was discontinued and has the open case back.

The SBGM021 which has the exhibition case back comes with the in-house movement 9S66 and the words Grand Seiko is printed on the inside of the sapphire glass back. Grand Seiko uses only their in-house developed movements and one of the few "true" manufactures left. They even grow their own quartz crystals for their Spring Drive and Quartz range.

The SBGM003 on the other hand houses the 9S56 movement and comes with the solid case back. Some say the SBGM003 is now sought after since being discontinued as it features the GS Lion Logo on the case back.

Because of the exhibition case back. the finishing on the SBGM021 is better than the SBMG003 - in the SBGM021, the baseplate has perlage while the older model is not. The newer 021 has a longer power reserve - 72 hours versus 55 hours in the 003. But like I said, one can't really tell the difference from the front.

The level of finishing on the Grand Seiko is second to none in that price point. For that matter, it is finished far better than many Swiss brands who charge significantly higher prices for generic ETA movements. As for the cream colored dial many have mistaken it for a lacquered dial.

The seconds hand is well rounded and the blued GMT hands are beautifully done. The movement is tested to the strictest standards - more stringent than the COSC. The watch comes with a burgundy color leather strap with folding clasp.

Whenever I travel, I usually wear the GS as I find it functional yet does not attract too much attention, unlike my Rolex GMT II which is easily recognizable. Here is a shot of my GS with my food on one of the flights.

Next, I shall hunt for a Spring Drive - hope to find one at a reasonable price.