Watch GTG - BurgerLabo Part 2

The unique thing about our watch gatherings is around some theme - everyone tries to come double wristed around some theme. In this GTG, the two themes were (1) non-round case timepiece and (2) timepieces below SGD5,000.

In our Part 1, we featured the first theme - timepieces with non-round cases. And what a range there was. I think the most jaw-dropping of the lot had to be the white ceramic AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Uber rare... And then there was the Urwerk UR-110, another stunning piece with their orbiting satellite system. And when you think rectangular cases, the JLC Reverso is always on our minds.

For the second theme, I had asked the group to bring a timepiece below SGD5,000. Allow me to qualify - while some timepieces are now above 5k, some of the featured timepieces were 5k when the owner first bought it.

One such timepiece is the original Grand Seiko Chronometer Diashock. Encased in a gold case and automatic winding, this Chronometer is in pretty good condition and the owner said he paid less than 5k for it. Beating within the Diashock movement is the Grand Seiko manufacture caliber 3180. What a catch!

In today's watch collecting journey, most brands hardly have a timepiece below SGD5,000 (USD3,600). So it was challenging for many but we had such a great range of timepieces in this GTG.

Grand Seiko below SGD5k? Yes, that was then possible when we bought it in the early to mid 2000s. One example is this SBGM003 with a solid case back.

What about pocket watches? Well, this IWC pocket watch can be had even for now, below 5k

Surprise, surprise in this category is that all popular MB&F MAD2

You wouldn't normally associate MB&F in this category but that's what makes the brand interesting.

Then there is a local home-grown brand Vilhelm Watches. A very interesting bronze version of an earlier release.

I brought along the Union Glashütte 1893 Johannes Durrstein Edition.

Featuring an exclusive movement from ETA, Union Glashütte got this one right. Love the dial and the silicium hairspring and all for under SGD5k. I'll be featuring this in another blogpost later on.

It was good to see the Hamilton Pan-Europ. This piece is a tribute to the original Pan-Europ released in 1971. But at the price point, this Hamilton should be a hit.

What I like about such GTG is the fact that you get to see some timepieces you never knew existed. Take for example this Citizen Hisonic Tuning Fork timepiece.

First impression... Retro vibes!

Notice the front sapphire glass?

Originally made in Nov 1973, this Accutron movement was licensed by Bulova to Citizen.

The front sapphire glass gives that an added charm.

Next up is the Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000TR

Titanium cased, this G-Shock is ultra-light and for those not familiar, the GMW-B500TR can be connected to an app via Bluetooth connection. The titanium alloy is a joint development between Casio and Nippon Steel.

Another timepiece that is worthy of any collection is the MIH Annual Calendar. Not only is this an annual calendar, it is also a chronograph.

Developed by Mr. Ludwig Oechslin utilizing the ETA7750 movement with an annual calendar module, the MIH Annual Calendar is perhaps one of the most reasonably priced annual calendar even to this day.

And then there are those guys who "did not get the memo"...

Since when does this retail for SGD5k?

Then there is someone who tried to sneak this one in...

The La Semaine Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Blanche ... I'll give it to you. It's "slightly" above SGD5k :-)

The highlight of the evening must have been the Moritz Grossmann Hamatic. Didn't fall into any of the theme for tonight but was a special request to see the timepiece first hand as the owner had just picked it up a few days earlier.

The opaline dial with Roman numerals gives it that vintage feel. Plus the ultra thin purple hands... it's a winner!

And the reverse is the highlight...

Instead of the traditional automatic rotor, the Hamatic used a pendulum-style hammer to wind the movement. Quite a large timepiece, this Hamatic comes in rose gold case of 41mm.

The Moritz Grossmann Hamatic was surely the highlight of the evening and thanks to our friend, we got to see and feel the timepiece up close and personal. Thanks to Mr. W for bringing it along.

And the mandatory table shot of what was on display that night.

It is always fun to have such gatherings. As I have said before time and time again, the diversity of collection is mind boggling. If we only open ourselves to other brands.

Another successful gathering and happy ending for everyone. Looking forward to the next one.

Excellent Regulator - The Louis Erard x Massena Le Régulateur

The regulateur style timepieces were made as marine chronometers - exceptionally accurate time machines to guide the users. And in order to have a clear view of the time, the hour, minute and seconds hands were all displayed differently with the minute hand being the most prominent.

My first encounter with a Regulateur was Chronoswiss and subsequently with IWC. But unlike the Chronoswiss Regulateur, the IWC Regulateur did not fare as well, evident in the fact that you can't even find it in their website anymore.

Of late, the folks at Louis Erard have been putting out some nice Regulateur inspired timepieces and the collaboration with Massena Lab is no different.

Coming in two dial colours - Gold and Rhodium, featured here is the gold dial version.

Housed in a 42mm steel case, this automatic timepiece boasts a Sellita SW266-1 movement with a power reserve of about 38 hours. Limited to 178 pieces per variant, the timepiece is not serialised.

The black calf leather strap is lined with blue calf leather as the backing. Nice touch.

Featured prominently on the dial side are the names of the collaborating partners - Louis Erard and Massena

Lovely texture on the dial which was what attracted me in the first place.

The finishing of the dial on this piece is excellent for the value.

Lovely details on the dial.

At the end, I think for collectors who do not already own a Regulateur dial timepiece, this variant is very compelling. But for those who have not already pulled the trigger, the timepieces are fully allocated (sold out).

But the brand still asks that you register your interest - perhaps someone might return theirs for whatever reason. But I honestly doubt anyone who gets their hands on this will let it go. Tough luck folks!

In the meantime, I am going to enjoy mine and hope you like the post. More to come.