Just this afternoon some friends of this blog gathered over lunch. There was food, but once the watches were rolled in, attention was diverted elsewhere…
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Singapore-watch-collectors-GTG-2013-(11).jpg)
Eight of our readers, two from foreign lands and the rest Singaporean, came together for lunch today. Between them there were 15 watches present. The assembled watches were diverse, a good balance between mainstream brands like Rolex and Panerai, and the independents; notable because two Philippe Dufour Simplicities turned up, one having flown here. Here are a couple of table shots of the great and the good. Pardon the tablecloth.
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Singapore-watch-collectors-GTG-2013-(1).jpg)
And now to honour the individual timepieces:
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/AP-Offshore-Rubberclad-rose-gold.jpg) |
Audemars Piguet Offshore Rubberclad in rose gold – the Offshore fad has cooled somewhat but this is still appealing. And unlike some other watches from the same genre, it doesn’t look dated. |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/FP-Journe-Dead-Seconds-Tourbillon.jpg) |
FP Journe Souverain Tourbillon – still one of his best products |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Grand-Seiko-130th-anniversary-SBGW033.jpg) |
Grand Seiko 130th Anniversary SBGW033 – probably the best known limited edition Grand Seiko |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/MIH-watch.jpg) |
The MIH watch – great value but not my cup of tea design-wise |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Lange-Pisa-Datograph.jpg) |
A rare Lange Datograph made for Italian retailer Pisa Orologeria |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Kari-Voutilainen-Observatoir.jpg) |
Kari Voutilainen’s Observatoire – many variants were made and most look good as this one does |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Philippe-Dufour-Simplicity-(1).jpg) |
Philippe Dufour Simplicity – 34 mm (left) and 37 mm |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Philippe-Dufour-Simplicity-(2).jpg) |
The beautiful view from the back. Interestingly the rhodium plating on the bridges of each watch is a different shade. |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Dufour-Simplicity-and-Voutilainen-Observatoire.jpg) |
Simplicity (bottom) vs. Observatoire |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Grand-Seiko-GMT-SBGM003.jpg) |
Grand Seiko GMT SBGM003 – though traditional in design, one of the most distinctive GS |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Panerai-Radiomir-Black-Seal-PAM292.jpg) |
Panerai Black Seal PAM292 on an elephant hide strap – mechanically uninteresting but great looking on the wrist |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Patek-5035-annual-calendar.jpg) |
Patek Philippe Ref. 5035 Annual Calendar – the first generation of the brand’s annual calendar |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Patek-and-MIH-annual-calendar.jpg) |
Doing the same thing differently |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Patek-Philippe-5078P-minute-repeater-(1).jpg) |
Patek Philippe Ref. 5078P minute repeater in platinum |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Patek-Philippe-5078P-minute-repeater-(3).jpg)
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Patek-Philippe-5078P-minute-repeater-(2).jpg)
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Rolex-Deep-Sea-(1).jpg) |
Rolex Deep Sea |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Rolex-Deep-Sea-(2).jpg) |
Superb piece of engineering… |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Rolex-Deep-Sea-(3).jpg) |
but why so thick? |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Romain-Jerome-Spacecraft-(1).jpg) |
Romain Jerome Spacecraft |
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Romain-Jerome-Spacecraft-(2).jpg)
![](http://watchesbysjx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/migrate/Seiko-Presage-enamel-dial-100th-anniversary.jpg) |
Seiko Presage 100th Anniversary with enamel dial – the lowest cost fired enamel dial watch today |
For those who are numerically inclined, here are some of the figures from the evening.
Total – 15
Independent – 6
Mainstream – 9
Japanese – 3
German – 1
Swiss – 11
Top 3 brands by representation: Seiko (3), Philippe Dufour and Patek Philippe tied (2)
Ratio of lowest cost (Seiko Presage) to highest (Patek Ref. 5078P) – 1:500
Stayed tuned for the next one.
– SJX
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