Saturday, April 17, 2010

Cosmo King 14K Rim Blue dial

This is a dual tones (gold plated and stainless steel) Titoni Cosmo King. It is different from other cosmo kings because it has a 14K gold rim. This Cosmo King is somewhat rare and unique because of its original blue dial. This dial is in excellent condition as with the watch. The crown, the buckle are all original except the bracelet... This is somewhat a classic to me....







Friday, April 16, 2010

Cosmo King~the last Monarch



Why the last Monarch??? This is the last batch of Titoni Cosmo King with the look of Rolex oyster. Since the era of Felca, Titoni Cosmo King has been sticking to this oyster look with few minor modifications. After 1995, Titoni ditched this design completely and give new model a total face lift.


This batch of Cosmo King used the 25 jewels ETA 2834-2 (day-date) and 2824 movement (day). It comes with scratch proof sapphire crystal and the gold is 10 micron gold plated. It also has the Rolex screw down crown feature. During late 1990's this watch is retailing somewhere between RM700-1,000. I really think is value for money and I still prefer this old looking Cosmo King.



This is the full gold model.....

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

62 Grand Seiko; 6246-9001



My dearest 62Grand Seiko Day and Date

Grand Seiko Diashock Automatic Caliber 6246-9001: This is one of the rarest Grand Seiko. A total number of 19,800 pieces were produced at that time. It is highly sought after in Japan and according to a reliable source, it can fetch as high as 200,000 Yen (about US$ 2000) for one in mint condition. Another variant of this watch is Caliber 6245 which only carries date function. (Abstract from: Dr. Wayne Lee)
This 6246 was produced on 1966 at Suwa Seikosha and was the second "GS" automatic model. 6246 was originally sold as a Seikomatic Chronometer but because of Chronometer appeal, the name was changed to 62Grand Seiko. Therefore, 6246A movement has Seiko internal GS standard official approval.

6246A movement has 39 jewels and has slow amplitude of 19800 beats per hour. Compared to other GSs, there were differences in the position of crown and case design. Because only a few were produced, so it is difficult to find one in good working condition today. Glad that I have both 6245 and 6246 in my collection now.
























































Monday, April 5, 2010

Titoni Race King ~ Vintage Chronograph

Titoni Race King Valjoux 7734


Finally a Race King in my hands..... Not that I am wearing it... simply touching and observing it, is enough to give me great satisfaction. I bought this through an ebay auction. After a much anticipated wait, the watch arrived 4 days later from Thailand. It is a stunning piece of art. The case, the dial, the movement is of original. The bracelet is also original Titoni, but I cannot confirm whether it is initially mean for this watch.



Influenced by the retro design of the 1970s, Titoni creates a man's watch with a stopwatch function and speedometer (Ref. 3000RK). Certain features of the watch's design recall the first robots produced in Japan in the 1950's. The looks of the "Race King" emphasise its technically complex inner workings in an authentic manner.




The dial of the race king employed a so-called styling in which it was a matter of either concealing or emphasizing the characteristic mechanical features of an article. Through the T-shaped arrangement of the dial suggestive of a sports car steering wheel, to evoke a sense of speed. (Abstract from Titoni of Switzerland 90th Anniversary: Passages of Time).

This Titoni Race King is powered by a 17 jewels Inclaboc Valjoux 7734 movement. It is a hand winding complicated watch with 5 hands. The chronograph 45 minutes register is at 3 o'clock position; 9 o'clock is the subsidiary second hand. Date at 6 o'clock is with red coloured numerals, adding contrast to the dial.




Despite the age of this watch; it is still a very fine sportive watch by today standard. It is truly a Titoni classic, a must have for all titoni collectors.