Modified 14K Cosmo King: A love and hate relationship with eBay!

A 14K Cosmo King without the 14K......

Bought this from a UK eBay watch seller who is rated as 100% feedback. I have collected Titoni for years, so I practically know what this so called Fully Authentic, 100% Genuine Titoni Cosmo King 14K is..... So always beware of buying from internet.... I bought this with one clear intention; this has been a nicely modded Cosmo King and is fully customized. 

To start with the acrylic glass is an aftermarket replacement. It is dome shaped without the cyclops magnifying lens for the date. A stainless steel Cosmo King 14K supposed to come with a white gold 14K Rolex style fluted bezel. You have to give credit to the seller. This is a customized machined smooth stainless steel bezel. Vintage Titoni Cosmo Kings size are slightly bigger than Rolex and other Rolex homages, therefore there is no readily available aftermarket bezel. 

The dial for this watch has been redone. It wasn't been done properly and I would rated this as a sloppy job. The date and day disc have been replaced with generic discs. The older Cosmo King using the short formed and an Arabic number to represent the day. The original day disc also has coloured scheme; from Monday to Friday using the green colour, Saturday using the blue and Sunday using the red. 

The minute and hour hands of this watch have also been modified with a set of classic sword hand. 

The crown on this watch is still genuine and original to this watch. 

The crown is used to set time only. There is no quick set day-date function with this watch. 

This Cosmo King is coupled with an aftermarket president style bracelet that is secured with the original Titoni's folding clasp.

The screw in caseback is in prime condition despite of its age. 

Internet and ebay market places are full of frauds. I really don't understand why the seller must stated this as a Genuine 14K rim Titoni. He or she would probably get a better price if honestly stated this as a customized Titoni.......

I kind of love ebay because it is an international market place and you can basically source all sort of items if you know what you are aftering....... But bidding system can sometime pushing the price unreasonably high. Hmmmmmmm then again eBay is basically just like any other auction houses like Sotheby and Christie. 

Ole ole ole is Alba Fifa World Cup 2002

Yeap is that time of the year.... is football or soccer fever.... is a time when the World stands still, united in one voice just to shout "GOALLLLLLLL!!!". This is the year for Brazil World Cup 2014. I want to bring you twelve years back, to year 2002.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. What made 2002 World Cup so special is that this was the first (and so far the only) World Cup to be hosted by two traditional rival countries. (with reference from Wikipedia)

ALBA V501-X218 (2002 FIFA WORLD CUP KOREA JAPAN Edition)

Here is a commemorative watch for the FIFA World Cup 2002 by ALBA watch company. Alba is a sub-brand of Seiko Watch Corporation. It first appeared in 1979. Using Seiko's movements but with modern styling designed to appeal especially to younger customers, Alba watches are primarily aimed at Asian markets in the hope of creating long-term loyalty to the Seiko group as these customers' purchasing power increases. 

I bought this watch back in 2002 for under RM200. Actually there was another Seiko commemorative FIFA chronograph, but that one did not appeal to me. This watch comes in a white paper box. Unlike other commemorative edition or limited edition watch, this one doesn't have any fancy wooden box or packing. The front of the box is printed with the FIFA Korea Japan 2002 World Cup logo. 

I still have the original watch label on it. There is also an official FIFA licensing hologram sticker on the label. From far, this watch looks like ordinary ALBA V501 Quartz watch.  

This watch has a 36mm case made of stainless steel with sandblasting treatment. It is very light and have the look of military watches. It is just a simple 3 hands watch with white military dial of 1-12; 13-24. The hour and minute hands are lumibrited.

The case shape is very classical, simple and nice. I would say it is a relatively clean design. The center of the dial is a logo of FIFA 2002 Korea Japan World Cup. You can find the brand Alba sidelined at 3 o'clock position. 

This watch is fitted with a Polypropylene military strap. This is neither a Nato or a Zulu strap. It is just fitted with an ordinary stainless steel buckle. 

The stainless steel case back is a simple snap on and can be easily open with a knife. The only surprise of the case if the engraving stated "copyrighted 1999 FIFA tm". The case back also stated a water resistant of 5 bar or 50 meters depth. This is suitable for everyday use and swimming but definitely a big NO NO for poolside diving, snorkeling or water sports.

This watch uses the Seiko Epson V501 Quartz movement. This is a very simple and cheap movement. V501 usually is seem in Seiko's sub-line watches like Pulsar, Lorus and Alba. You certainly cannot compare this with Seiko Quartz movement used in Seiko watches. 

Despite what being said, this is still a very descent watch that serve for casual daily wearing. It serves its core functions well. It can tell time loyally and it serves as a souvenir and a memory for the World Cup 2002. 

Although this watch has never been worn, the effect of time has taken its toll. The chrome plated crown has shown sign of wearing off. Never mind, the crown is not signed and can be easily replaced. 

If you're interested in stylish, cool designs and value for money, Alba is for you. The watch also serves as a memory that Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0 in the final.

I am never a die hard football fans for several reasons. Match fixing, and football betting just kill a great sport. No matter how, I always look forward for the World Cup and hoping to see a sheer display of athleticism, sportsmanship, fair play and great teamwork.......

Bulova President ~ A repost??

Bulova Super Seville Day-Date

I posted this photo of this particular watch back in December 2009. During then, I didn't even do a write up for it. Years later, I think this watch deserves a recognition.... a post of its own......

This is the yellow gold plated version of Bulova Super Seville Day-Date; nicknamed Bulova President. It is extremely shinning.... Very very eyes catching and attention seeking. This has been in my closet ever since I purchased it..... I have a feeling that the Gold plating would go off rather easy upon wearing. 

This is a 37mm diameter Bulova with mineral crystal. The crystal can be easily replaced with scratch resistant sapphire glass. This watch has the same design as Rolex Oyster with fluted bezel. 

The crown is signed with Bulova's tuning fork logo and is exactly like Rolex with screw locking function. 

What is unique with this watch is the very intriguing maroon coloured dial. The dial is cosmetically finished with gold Bulova emblem, wordings and synthetic diamond hour markers. Look like the synthetic diamonds need some polishing work. This watch is completed with the President bracelet with hidden clasp. 

The bracelet is gold plated on the top and on the sides. The portion that is in contact with wearer's skin are "butt naked"..... The case back is made of stainless steel and is screw down type. As this is a brand new watch, it still retain the original Bulova red sticker with serial number. 

This watch is most probably powered by 17 jewels ETA 2834-2 movement. ETA can be considered as cheap Rolex alternative. Bare in mind that even Rolex's little brother Tudor is using the same movement..... 

Although this is a Rolex's hommage watch; it is a fine looking time piece from all angles. Bulova is a unique watch company. Although it is a US watch company, its watches during the 70's, 80's and 1990's were mostly made with Swiss movement. 

My other Bulova that playing homage to Rolex:

1) Bulova Chronometer Day Date
2) Modifying Super Seville
3) Bulova Datejust 
4) Bulova Chronoprecision President 

Seiko Analogue Quartz Chronograph SND325P1

A modest analogue chronograph with precision: Seiko 7T92

This was from an odd collector, who's only interested in Swatch Quartz and Seiko Quartz Chronograph. The poor fella had to be heart broken..... He was forced to depart with majority of his collections while his family migrated. He had tears in his eyes.... No matter how hard, he tried to hold back, but the devastation is just too great......... All his watches are brand new in the original boxes and with all the legitimate papers.

There is an outer white paper box coming with this watch.... but really no point showing you that.... See this watch comes in a very futuristic design watch box. I also photographing the user manual and the Seiko warranty booklet with the box. 

Open the box is a very sporty looking Seiko Quartz Chronograph. Seiko introduced the World's first quartz watch, the Astron in 1969. It also introduced the first all-analog-display quartz chronograph 7A28 in 1983. What I have here is a descendant of the great 7A28, the 7T92 chronograph.

This is a very cool model with brushed stainless steel case and bracelet that flow smoothly in unity with the case. The diameter of the body is about 38mm with a thickness of 9mm. This watch has a weight of 123gm. The glass is a Hardlex Crystal. 

As you can see the original price tag and the Seiko's product description tag are still hanging on the watch. 

This handsome timepiece features luminescent hands and silvertone hour markers against a navy blue dial. The orange subdials add a striking contrast to complete its hot blooded sporty look. Furthermore, the subdial hands and the chrono second hand are in racing red. This compliments real well with the inner Tachymeter ring. 

The second hand of this watch is at the 9 o'clock subdial. The date display is at 3 o'clock and it can be quickset by pulling the crown into first position. The second position is to adjust the time and also for the stopwatch hands adjustment. The crown is unsigned. The button at the top is to set and stop the chronograph. While the button below is to reset the chronograph.

This chronograph can measure up to 12 hours in 1/20sec increment. When the measurement reaches 12 hours, the stopwatch would stop automatically. Split time measurement is also possible with this watch.

The stainless steel bracelet is secured with a three fold buckle clasp. The clasp is engraved with the wording Seiko. 

The case is screw in type which enables this watch to withstand water pressure to 10atm (100 meters or 330 feet). 

The 7T92 movement used is 100% made in the Land of the Rising Sun. This watch is registering a monthly loss and gain of +/- 15 seconds. That is pretty impressive for any watch. 

A fresh battery may last 3 years under normal usage. When the battery is weak, the second hand will move at 2 second interval rather than a single second interval.

Knowing the quality and the reliability of a Seiko; for less than half the retailing price, it is really hard not to lighten one's wallet. 

Go to my another Seiko Quartz Chronograph with Alarm here!!!

Titoni Cosmo King Date 707-360

A little bit too late for Monday Blues....

That is a very odd title for this post since it is Wednesday today. Seems like the Monday blues of this week has dragged on.......

What is better to combat a slow start with a lovely Titoni Cosmo King date on the wrist??? This is a somewhat special Titoni because of its blue sea dial.

This is a man size Titoni with a diameter of 37mm excluding its crown. This is the stainless steel model with fluted bezel and an acrylic crystal. There is a magnifying cyclops lens on its date window at 3 o'clock position. 

The blue dial is elegantly decorated with Cubic Zirconia hour markers and at the position 6, 9, and 12 baguette synthetic diamonds. 

This 707-360 is fitted with a president style after market stainless steel bracelet. 

The bracelet has a signed clasp. The president bracelet is always my prefer choice as it is comfy to wear and also it looks steadily solid. 

The crown for this watch is still original with the old Titoni logo. 

The stainless steel case back is the screw in type. Beneath the case back is a World renown ETA workhorse 2824-2. 2824 is an automatic movement with 25 jewels. It has an amplitude of 28,800 bph and a power reserve of 40 hours. This watch has a smooth sweeping second hand movement and a quick adjust date function. 

This is really not a bad watch for all occasions. The marriage of vintage Cosmo King's classical look and the reliability of ETA 2824 is a forever wining formula........

Click HERE for My collection of Titoni Cosmo Kings!!!