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Horological Meandering

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BEIJING GTG: 12 JAN 2013

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-20:29

Date: 12 Jan 2013
Location: European Watch Company (EWC) Beijing, Boutique, located at China World Trade Cebter Phase III 


New Year's Day but a distant past, the Purists amongst us were all terribly busy back at work in Beijing. However, nothing can keep a good Purists away ... especially from all things Horology. Therefore, a few of us took a couple of hours to meet up Saturday, 12 Jan 2013 ... at where else but a local watch shop. 

In addition, we were informed that there was going to be a small Hublot event (which I will have more later) at EWC, Beijing, so we decided it was a good location for us to meet. 

Firstly, some information about our gracious hosts. EWC is a major player in the Chinese Market and carries a host of brands from a Mid to High-end Market.  EWC is also located in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau. 








As you can see EWC carries all major mainly across LVMH Group and Richemont Group and then some. 

The Chinese market is an evolving one as the local enthusiasts moves beyond the traditional powerhouse like Rolex, Omega, Longines just to name a few. In that respect, EWC is considered pioneering, as it does its part in furthering brand awareness in China. 




Great to see a GTG in Beijing! Sorry I couldn't

 
 By: Mech : January 12th, 2013-20:37
make this trip and I hope you could post more pix of it soon. Where're the purists? smile

Mech.

The Purists

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-20:58

 A small but very unassuming and chatty group. Made for a good GTG ! 





With permission from a fine group of gentlemen ! 


With the bubbly flowing ........ 

There we were, Mech, there we were... :)

 
 By: sanro : January 12th, 2013-21:29
and Flamenco surely made a few photos of a Moser I was wearing and that I know you like... wink

Jason, you need to share those pics too!!

Your wish is my command ! [nt]

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-21:30
No message body

Thanks! :) [nt]

 
 By: sanro : January 13th, 2013-00:47
No message body

Hublot Event

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-20:44
Hublot held a small but cosy even in conjunction with EWC, and also part of the reason why we decided to meet there. 



Naturally, With the customary Hublot Marketing juggernaut in full tow.




Hublot as I understand is one of the fastest growing luxury watch brand in China.  Sales have been BRISK as I am told ! 



Placing importance to this event, Hublot sent a team from LVMH Watch & Jewellery from Shanghai.


Coerer Hu, Marketing Director, who was lovely and had an equally lovely RED timepiece on her wrist.

Jim Wang, Sales Manager, which I had a good chat and learnt lots about the Chinese market




Hublot Time Pieces

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-20:54
No hublot Event is complete with the glitz & glamour, so without further ado, let move to the timepieces. 

Many heavyweights were brought along for this event. 






Diamonds are hard to photograph ! 



And some for the rest of us .... 


What caught my eye and been causing in China of late .... a unique timepiece 


Yes, that is a JADE dial. Hope my photos captures the jade well enough to be observed here. 


Jade green gummy strap that matches the dial beautifully. 


It is probably not a piece that will appeal to all, however, makes brilliant sense in China since Gold and Jade are revered since ancient times. Jade in the Chinese culture is also believed to ward of evil ! No stopping Hublot when it comes to innovative use of materials.

Great post flamenco! Jade worn on the wrist

 
 By: Mech : January 12th, 2013-21:20
will save one from a nasty fall according to many Chinese as it breaks itself then to break the owner. Does Hublot has this function? smile

Mech.

Probably !

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-21:30

But it will be an expensive fall ! Ouch ! 

Great report Flamenco

 
 By: andrewluff : January 13th, 2013-11:43
Lots of bling bling pieces from Hublot, to me not the best pieces they make but maybe what they think the market wants at the store.

Love the PSM, stunning piece!   The Moser is also really nicely balanced, must take a closer look at this one.

Thanks for sharing.
Andrew

PS: the skis are great!






Just when

 
 By: flamenco : January 13th, 2013-18:11

I thought they were more show than go ...... u have dispelled all that !

U photo frightens me a bit though .......  Tourby + Skis ...... unimaginable a decade ago !

 

Great shot !

That jade dial timepiece looks great, I like it.

 
 By: VMM : January 14th, 2013-04:02

Thanks for sharing.

 

 

Vte smile

It's growing on me too!

 
 By: flamenco : January 14th, 2013-04:29
More I look at it ... Does not feel heavy despite a solid piece of jade for a dial. 

Wonder if it will be sold outside of China

Outstanding Horology

 
 By: flamenco : January 12th, 2013-21:29

Wherever a Purists goes .... u can be sure of one thing ! Outstanding (astounding) timepieces. 

Courtesy of a fine group of gentlemen Purists



A Palladium that needs little introduction 


Notice how that fabulous dial changes colour under the play of light ! Magical ! 


Equally magical when u turn the dial. This is no ordinary, but a Double Straumman !



A firm favourite in the current world of ACHI 





Speake Marin


That amazing dial has an astounding 3D pop and needs to be see in person. My attempt to capture it in photos. 


The raised markers and indices are beautiful. 


A second hand that reaches to the edge of the dial. 


So astounded, I probably took a million photos of it. 



A very balanced and pleasing dial. 


However, the Speake Marin magic does not stop on the dial side 


Unmistakable PSM ! 



The beauty of the EROS 1 goes beyond aesthetics. Swing the rotor and put it to your ear. 

Music to the ears ! Owners know what I mean .....



Much THANKS to the gentlemen Pursits for graciously allowing your prized possessions to be photographed. 


There you have it ! A small but memorable GTG in Beijing. 

 


Finally, I forsee more GTGs in future and very much look forward to it ! 


Sanro's Moser clearly shows the Straumann Double

 
 By: Mech : January 12th, 2013-21:51
hairspring...! The fume dial is in such an amazing color!

Thanks for sharing!

Mech.

Indeed

 
 By: flamenco : January 13th, 2013-18:02

An elegant perpetaul calendar that fights gravity ! What more can one ask for.

Additionally, I have had platinum watches in the past and found the weight unmanageable. However, was pleasant surprised when I tried it on in palladium.

Feel just right !

 

Thanks a lot for the comprehensive report Flamenco!

 
 By: foversta : January 13th, 2013-11:28
And thanks for the PSM pictures!

Fx


Never

 
 By: flamenco : January 13th, 2013-18:05

really had a chance to examine a PSM prolonged period. And I must say that experience has left me .... smittened !

Also the thickness of the SM mvts was quite something to deal with, but I must say the EROs has made a difference for me.

 

The same day I left...

 
 By: Ed. W : January 13th, 2013-11:56
perhaps I will make it next time.
Glad to see a GTG in beijing.

U really must join us !

 
 By: flamenco : January 13th, 2013-18:14

unfortunately , the stars do not align. But I am sure we will have more opportunities.  

Hope u had a good flght back home.

 

Ps. There is a reported rise in H1N1 case in Beijing, presumably due to the winter season. Thought u might like to know.

I knew about H1N1 from work

 
 By: Ed. W : January 13th, 2013-20:10
2 deaths earlier but no need to be alarmed (unofficial word), especially if you got the flu shot.

Sad to hear that and the recent Air Pollution

 
 By: Mech : January 14th, 2013-18:12
problem in Beijing, gee I hope these won't dampen the GTG spirit there!

cheers

Mech.

The spirits it won't dampen, but the lungs...

 
 By: sanro : January 14th, 2013-18:34
...are a different matter!

I am about to go take the train from Beijing to Shanghai because the airports are collapsed due to the pollution. Yesterday I could not fly to Hefei...

Crazy.

From the PuristS team

 
 By: MTF : January 14th, 2013-08:38

flamenco,

 

I send greetings and thanks from the PuristSPro executive team.

When three or more PuristS are gathered in harmony, that is a G-T-G.  smile

We do not get many reported from Beijing so it is good to see one posted.

 

Perhaps, PuristSPro should increase our presence in China?

 

Regards,

MTF

Women yue lai yue duo...

 
 By: sanro : January 14th, 2013-18:37

...and now that Flamenco has moved over here we will also be unbeatable on the photographic front! smile

'women' as in hanyupinyin is very different

 
 By: Mech : January 14th, 2013-18:46
from the english word Sanro...!! hahahahaha

For a moment, I thought I should spend more time in Beijing.

Please wear your gems in good health and good air.

cheers

Mech.

Thanks Mel !

 
 By: flamenco : January 14th, 2013-19:02

Consider it community service !  Certainly have gained a lot more than I have given on PuristS, and it was certainly my pleasure. It was a great GTG !

 And will try over the course of my time in Beijing provide updates from here. Time permitting, I would certainly be more than haapy to be of assistance in anyway.

 

In all honesty, my understanding of the Chinese market is rudimentary at best. There is certainly no lack of an international community (presumably the majority of the Purists audience)  residing in China. As I understand it, there is a multitude of local Chinese Horolgy Forum (none of which I am familiar with)  

However, what we all do know, is that Shanghai and Beijing are probably the best locations for an a full scale incursion into China.