Russian Watches?

For the past one week, I have been wearing a Poljot (it should have been pronounced as Poloit) watch which I bought a year ago  and to be more specified, it is a Poljot Baikal Chronograph with Moon phase. Many of my friends have commented that it is a nice timepiece but not too sure what brand? I decided to write a short article about it!

We, Malaysians are quite ignorant about watches made in Russia or Germany. There are many reputable watch brands made by them but really unknown to the public. For instance, Buran, Poljot and Vostok.

We are very lucky as there is a watch shop called Red Army Watches ( http://redarmywatches.com/ ) in Tropicana Mall and the 2nd outlet in Pavillion which carry these watches. I believed Red Army Watches are from Singapore.

So far, I have worn it twice as the complicated part is to adjust the moon phase before I can really enjoyed wearing it. Again, I have to bring it back to the shop so that they can adjust for me. Haha, don't ask me how but I think that is the best and hassle-free way!!!

In fact, the staff there said he is more than happy to do it because they are also not so familiar with it. It's a good training for them too!

Baikal is the most beautiful and also the deepest lake of the world (1637 m) and holds one fifth of all fresh water resources of the planet. 300 Siberian rivers flow into this lake! Its age is estimated about 30 million years. Its fantastic flora and fauna have no equal anywhere in the world. The lake is particularly attractive for tourists and photographs in the winter time. The glassy, iridescent surface and the gleaming light-blue snow are ravishing in their incredibly beauty. The lake "Baikal" is part of the "world heritage of nature" of the UNESCO.

The watch is elegantly crafted to signify the beauty of the lake.

By the way, it is a manual winding watch so you better wind it every two days.

Lego-Inspired G-Shock Watches

Recently, I visited the G-Factory in Fahrenheit Bukit Bintang. There was a limited edition model, GA110DR-1A, with a Lego-inspired design. Its features include a "black resin band with a multi-colored face and a Ana-Digi dial code."

It's priced at RM999, but you can get it on the internet at only US$130.

I saw the following limited edition model too; unfortunately it's not for sale!

I used to own more than 4 G-Shocks, but have since given them away.

Graff Watches

 Flight delays can result in you learning something new as you wait.

While waiting for my flight, I picked up a magazine called Sphere. The cover attracted me with a beautiful model in her Ralph Lauren rowing club jacket.

I was surprised to find this magazine promoting a number of luxury watches, and I came across Graff. I assumed Graff is a luxury jewel brand, but I didn't know it has some nice Swiss-made watches.

The Graff watches are uniquely crafted in the shape of a diamond. I fell in love at first sight. The MasterGraff Tourbillon range looks superb!  

Sarpaneva Watches

Picture from http://www.sarpanevawatches.com/en/home.php

Here's a brand to watch (no pun intended).

I recently bought the quarterly World of Watches magazine and came across this brand. Out of curiosity, I did some research on the internet.

To my surprise, it's not a bad range as Sarpaneva watches received the 2009 red dot award: communication design. They have also received two good design awards by The Chicago Athenaeum:   Museum of Architecture and Design for the limited edition of Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon wristwatch and for its product identity.

Information from its website's press release says: 
"Sarpaneva Korona K3 Black Moon is the first mechanical wristwatch to indicate the invisible and ever mysterious new moon, the dark opposite of the full moon. Limited to 20 pieces, each watch comes with a hand-bound book Black is the Moon. Inspired by the endless melancholy of the dark Finnish winter, the book retells the story of Lilith, the seductive temptress of an ancient legend who preys on unwitting men during the new moon."

It was launched in January 2009. For 2011, watchmaker Stepan Sarpaneva is coming up with a divers' range, which might be named Korona. He already has the prototype.

I'm looking forward to seeing it.