Life In Kuala Lumpur... and other places...

Planning to visit Korea? Part 1

2009-05-24T23:12:00.004+08:00

I've had many questions over time about visiting Korea. I think many know that I have been to Korea several times and love the place very much. Anyway, my suggestion to these people has always been to avoid the tours. Tours can be tiring and stressful and imho, a holiday should be taken at one's own pace to soak in the atmosphere. So maybe, you'd wanna try going to Korea on your own?

Well if you DO want to go on a free and easy trip to Korea, my 1st suggestion is for you to focus on Seoul. The huge city (which covers roughly about the size of Singapore island and houses 18 million inhabitants), offers so much to do and see...

In this first part, I'll tell you a few things you'll need to prepare for the trip.

1) Select a season.
- It's best avoid summer (unless you want to see a lot of Korean women in bikinis at the water parks and beaches).
- Spring is beautiful for the plum blossoms and pleasant weather.
- Autumn is gorgeous for the golden brown foliage.
- Winter is my favourite... snow and skiing!

2) Select an airline.
- I prefer using Korean Air. It's coach sharing with MAS and most of the time, ticket prices are cheaper!
- Make sure you select the 1am flight from KLIA. It's perfect for arriving in Incheon at around 8am so you won't have to waste a single day.

3) Search for travel tips.
- Join a website like Virtual Tourist. It has a wonderful community that shares information on where to visit and you can even organize meetups to make new friends when you arrive there.
- Visit the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) website. It has wonderful tips and the calendar of activities in Korea. You can also find out information on public transportation (subway and buses).

4) Find a place to stay.
- Do try to find a place to stay in a convenient area in the city e.g. Gangnam, Itaewon, Insadong or Myungdong - these are all prime locations in Seoul. You can use a service like Hotels Combined or specifically click HERE to search for hotels in Seoul. With this, you can easily find a conveniently located hotel and compare prices too.

That's it for Part 1. More to come!

A Bittersweet Seoul Part 3 - Gangnam

2009-03-26T22:55:00.003+08:00

Ah Gangnam. The name literally means 'south of the river'. It's easily the most expensive area in all of Korea and houses really luxurious locations such as Apgujeong and Rodeo Street plus the financial and commercial areas of Yeoksam-dong and Teheran Street. It was quite a pleasure to walk down Yeoksam-dong and Samseong-dong to see the hustle and bustle of the city and feel the cold air on my face. With winter coming to an end, the low sun certainly gave a lot of long shadows and it was quite a pleasure to not only take photos but just sit down on a sidewalk bench and watch life go by (when it wasn't TOO cold).

This building is on Teheran Street (aka Teheranno which was named as such since Seoul has a sister city in Teheran. There's also a Seoul street in Teheran fyi). This building actually houses the HQ for the famed software producer, NCSOFT.

A Shinsegae (Samsung Group's departmental store) construction site.

The very impression Hyundai Departmental Store.

More street sights including the new Coex Atrium.

At this point, I'll just continue adding the pics for this area...

View from my room...

These are known as 'winter flowers'...

Next part coming...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

A Bittersweet Seoul Part 2 - The Food

2009-03-24T23:23:00.003+08:00

Oh glorious food!

This is the 5th time in Seoul for me and the first time I stayed in Seoul without having touched any Kalbi!

Anyway here are some snippets of what I ate throughout my stay this time.

First off, haemul tang (seafood soup). As you can see in the photo below, it's basically spicy soup (with chilli powder) and an abundant array of seafood - from fish to mussels to clams to octopus to squid to vegetable to mushrooms to...

And can you see that weird looking intestine like thing there? They're fish guts.

The soup itself got really 'sweet' after simmering for a while and goes well with plain short grain rice.

Next is Kraze Burger. It's a Korean burger chain with a fine array of delectable burgers served with pickles and fries.

My friend brought me out of the city into Gyeonggi-do (about an hour's drive out) and we came to this traditional looking restaurant. He says it is one of his favourite places since they serve home cooked style Korean cuisine. The place is really cold inside due to the lack of heating but I liked it nonetheless. The walls were decorated with ancient Korean words that could not be deciphered by either of us.

The dishes did have a 'homecooked' vibe to them. Seen here are some river fish grilled and then lathered with sweet chilli paste. Even the dwenjangjigge tasted different (not better or worse... just more rustic).

I did of course have 2 things I normally have when I visit Seoul. First was juk (korean porridge). The tables of the restaurant are so finely decorated underneath the glass table top.

The other dish is buddaejigge (aka army stew or potluck stew) which is a kimchi and chilli based stew with lots of spam and sausages and ramyeon. I had this twice during my trip. One place even supplied bibs as the stew would bubble and splatter all over us.

There was also a quick stop at Krispy Kreme. It was a bit sweet though. We ordered a dozen of the originals with some Arizona lemonade. On another note, I must say that Rotiboy is doing well in Seoul!

I must mention that if ever you are in South Korea during strawberry season, FOR GOODNESS SAKE, BUY SOME!!! They will easily be among the largest and sweetest dalgi (strawberries) you will ever have and it is not a boast.

The best bulgogi I've ever had. We had the same thing the following day because it was so good. The side dishes here are spicy as hell but so delicious.

An aesthetically pleasing pumpkin tea after a wonderful lunch at Nolboo (which was surprisingly good for a chain restaurant though I was too busy stuffing my face to take any photos of the food).

A really special dinner of samgyupsal with rice cake slices to accompany the pork and grilled kimchi. The place was stuffy as everyone was grilling and the smell soaked into my sweaters but I didn't care. This meal was superb especially with the naengmyon (cold noodles) perfectly complementing the spicy pork. The grill was placed slanted to ensure that the fat would just roll down into the kimchi as the pork gave out its juices.

It was one the last cold mornings I spent in Seoul when I decided to venture into the Korean pizza chain, Mr Pizza. The chain had the cute Moon Geum Young (aka Korea's national little sister) as a spokesperson. The pizza I chose had cajun chicken and prawn on it. The crust I chose was made from 'frozen' dough which resulted in a crispy crunchy texture.

Ok near the end of this post...

The last thing I got before I left Incheon Airport... a really nice box of beautiful korean rice cakes (which I felt were too pretty to be eaten).

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

A Bittersweet Seoul Part 1 - The Arrival

2009-03-21T17:23:00.004+08:00

For some unwritten reasons, I decided to make a trip to my so-called 2nd home, Seoul, a couple of weeks back. It was perhaps the last bits of winter with the Northern winds from Russia blowing so the temperature was quite cold (on some days it dropped to -7 degrees Celcius). I love the cold but I certainly had rashes and flaky skin from the exceedingly dry air.

I landed in Incheon airport on the morning of the 7th of March. The road leading from the airport to Seoul was a welcome sight. It always signified a promising week of fun and relaxation in a place I am now so familiar with (and yet so alien - alien enough to still make me feel that I want to know more about life in Seoul).

This time around, I decided to leave my DSLR in the hotel and basically spent the entire holiday only lugging around the Panasonic Lumix LX-3. I had found the leather case I was looking for in Technomart on the first day I arrived and the case is so beautiful that it made me simply want to use the camera outdoors all the time. Also, after such a long time, I could feel the freedom afforded to me with the more compact form of the LX-3 and enjoy the holiday so much more instead of worrying too much with the bigger DSLR. I thought it was a compromise of image quality I could afford.

Now, most tourists think of Yongsan as the place for electronics but lately, Yongsan has had a bit of bad press and stories of rude dealers. My local friend brought me to the extremely customer friendly electronics mall of Technomart which features several floors of neverending shopping for the gadget enthusiast. I loved the experience a lot and many vendors were polite,helpful and ever willing to share information. In short, it was an extremely pleasant experience shopping there. Prior to that, we stopped by VIPS (which is owned by Samsung group and provides a stunning steak meal with a superb salad bar spread) for a mouth watering lunch.

I managed to find the Samsung Yepp YP-P3 MP3 player with HAPTIC technology which was only launched in certain places in the world. I also managed to find the Audio Technica ATH-EW9 which are wooden earphones that are so beautiful and irresistable.
You can read my mini review here.

After a few hours of tiring shopping and comparing of prices, we went for a very very good dinner of barbecued pork.

Now, I've always been having great food at Kangsane, Ampang but Korean food in Korea (I guess that goes for any other country as well) always tastes stronger, fresher and more appetizing.

Anyway, after that dinner, my friend brought our group to this REALLY REALLY memorable restaurant. The place was packed and we had to line up to get a car park. It was about an hour's drive from the center of the city. We were already full from dinner so we just wanted to have some coffee. The place was set in a forest clearing and it had large huts made from wooden logs. As expected, the huts were all full and many had to be put on the waiting list. We grabbed some seats around the circular hearths that dotted the areas in between the huts. Many people were just enjoying the warm flames with coffee or soju with roasted sweet potatoes. It was -7 degrees that night and we loved keeping each other warm with blankets around us as we rubbed our hands over the fire.

You can also see the standing heaters that customers stood around to escape the cold.

That night, I slept well in my hotel. The chosen abode for my week in Seoul was the very nice Art Nouveau City Hotel in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu. I got 50% of the normal rates for a Crystal Suite which had a kitchen and even had an upper floor (studio style) for extra guests.

Certainly, staying in Gangnam-gu gives one a skewed perception of Korea. It is the poshest district in all of Korea and houses the financial district. Everything here costs more and there are lots of pubs, cafes and clubs nearby to cater to the needs of the office workers in the area. You get to see lots and lots of beautiful women here (they're almost all slender, with long black hair, fine features and smooth pale skin).

I spotted a lovely pub/bistro that sells German Erdinger beer. It is called "Beautiful Beer". The waitresses were dressed in tight school uniform like outfits with short short skirts and I think it's safe to say that it was a nice place to be :) We went there a couple of times to enjoy the setting the good abundant beer. No photos of it though but I do hope to go there again on my next trip. We also spotted a place called "Sexy One Bikini Bar". I'll leave that to your imagination :)

End of part 1...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Boys Over Flowers

2009-02-16T21:34:00.004+08:00

The ULTRA HOT KBS series Boys Over Flowers is now airing on KBS world, Astro 303. It begins today and will run every Mondays and Tuesdays at 9pm. Fyi, it's the Korean version of the famous Japanese manga, Hana Yori Dango (which also spawned a Japanese series and the almost legendary Taiwan version, Meteor Garden). This version is said to be the best though... so check it out! I'm just watching it a bit (before I get annoyed with all the pretty boys) because I wanna check out the unbelievably cute Goo Hyeseon! And of course wait for the encore telecast of Emperor of the Sea...

Tribute To Baek JiYoung

2009-02-12T00:01:00.002+08:00

The Dance Queen of KPop is back. After her triumphant wins on the Korean music charts with "Like Being Hit By A Bullet", she comes back to her roots with "Ipsureul Jugo" (Give Me Your Lips). The song is so infectious and addictive... I can't stop listening to it on my MP3 player and on my car CD player!!!

Please check out the HD version ya for best effect!

The stunning Pilot M90

2009-01-01T17:38:00.003+08:00

Imho the best pen of 2008! And check out those lovely Iroshizuku inks!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Check out RED ARMY WATCHES and happy 2009!

2009-01-01T12:10:00.004+08:00

Just opened in Tropicana City, RED ARMY WATCHES... a retail outlet with very affordable mechanical watches. Click on the photo below for the gallery of photos.

If you have a Purists account (you can just register for one for free), you can view my report by clicking HERE.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Btw have a happy and healthy 2009 with your family!

A Christmas In Melaka

2008-12-30T00:46:00.001+08:00

A walkabout in fine weather and blue blue skies... click on the 'London' photo below for the full series!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

3 cycles and elevator story

2008-12-22T12:48:00.002+08:00

Well I completed 3 cycles today and looking forward to more. I am blessed with a wonderful family and great friends. For that I am extremely thankful. The past year has been kinda taxing especially with the loss of loved ones. Certainly made me appreciate my loved ones so much more. In any case, my best wishes to all and have a safe and fruitful year end holidays!

On a more random note, I was thinking about how elevator buttons work. You know how some people always depress the buttons again and again with hope that the lift would somehow speed up and arrive quicker? What if back in the past when they invented the elevator (and subsequently, the elevator call button), pressing the button when it's activated/lit up simply deactivates the button and cancels the command request for the lift? That means, press once, and the lift will come. Press it again before the lift comes, and the request for the lift is cancelled.

This certainly puts paid to any movie scene where the damsel in distress frantically presses and bangs on the elevator buttons while being chased by the murderer/ghost/monster!

Hurray for Pepper

2008-12-08T02:38:00.002+08:00

Pepper Lunch just opened a branch in Pavilion opposite JCO. Prices are a bit high for the Malaysian wallet but it still tastes great :)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Surreal

2008-11-15T10:44:00.002+08:00

More than a decade ago, I used to collect comics (I think every guy went through this phase). It was that time that I used to read Wizard Comics magazine, a comics review/preview mag. There was a section for penpals and I vaguely remember sending in my name and address for snail mail penpals. I forgot about this as months went by.

Then one day, I received a letter from the US. I did not recognize the originator but I ripped the envelope open anyway. Inside was the letter and a photo of a naked lady in a very weird pose. You can imagine I was feeling quite surprised and intrigued.

Upon reading the letter, I found out that the writer got to know me from my Wizard posting and wanted to be friends. She also told me that she was a starlet in the porn movie industry.

Of course, any guy would just reply without much hesitation... and we exchanged a few mails over the subsequent months... but after that, she just stopped writing and nothing else happened.

Habis cerita.

An Evening With Caran d'Ache

2008-10-24T19:32:00.001+08:00

Superb evening with the famed Swiss penmaker, Caran d'Ache at Lafite! Click on the photo above for a report.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

With The Chopard Owners

2008-09-30T00:10:00.003+08:00

Was quite an interesting evening I had last weekend. The dinner was spent at the atmospheric and picturesque Tamarind Springs with the co-owner of Chopard, Mr Karl-Friedich Scheufele. Click on the photo above for a peek into the proceedings.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

ITTF Women's Table Tennis World Cup 2008

2008-09-11T01:35:00.000+08:00

Most amazing experience for table tennis for me... RM30 for season tickets to the Women's World Cup. Superb performances up close especially after just seeing the same players duking it out at the Beijing Olympics. Check out my photo report by clicking on Tie Yana's photo up there!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Fake as hell!

2008-09-03T00:35:00.001+08:00

Bwahahahaha... kaninah...

Omega resurrected

2008-08-10T17:25:00.002+08:00

It's always good to have an old friend back. One of my first Swiss mechanical watches... the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra... back from its first service looking brand new :)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Fuck You LAH

2008-08-07T10:13:00.002+08:00

Asyik road block, road block, road block aje...

Why don't you go solve the nation's problems instead of adding to them?

Duped...

2008-08-01T12:56:00.002+08:00

Let's say you have some things you refuse to eat e.g. chicken gizzard.

So one day you go to the mamak and ask them what some unidentifiable dish was (looks like some deep fried cripsy bits). And you ask the guy manning the dish counters what the dish is made of. So through some miscommunication, you think he said, "Sotong goreng". So you chuck some of it on your bryani and proceed to munch on it. It's delicious... now what if you discover that it's actually chicken gizzard?

1) Would you stop eating it there and then and confine the remainder to a corner of your plate?
2) Would you swear that chicken gizzard is now the best thing ever and will love it till the day you die?
3) Would you run to the sink to upchuck?
4) Would you finish the gizzard but never try gizzard ever again?

The above thoughts were crafted after a lunch with some weird looking deep fried dish that was super tasty. Am not sure what it was (i.e. don't wanna know)...

Why ah???

2008-07-31T13:01:00.001+08:00

Sneezing is like eating peanuts or chips... you never stop at one...

Ping Pong Crazy!

2008-07-22T13:44:00.008+08:00

More acquisitions...

First off, the Kokutaku Cho Super Cho Tokusen 10mm JPEN table tennis blade. I heard that only 150 pieces are made each year and like my current 9mm Super Cho Tokusen, uses top grade kiso hinoki (Japanese Cypress) from trees at least 300-500 years of age. This one is too precious to use and I will just be keeping it somewhere...

Next is something I wanted to try for a long time. I wanted to try the most difficult style (but also the most traditional to the Chinese) - Chinese Penholder with short pip (pimple) rubber. So I decided to get a DHS (aka Double Happiness) Hurricane Hao which DHS created specifically for Wang Hao (current No 1 player in the world).

I put a DHS Hurricane 3 with the newer (and softer) #19 sponge on the forehand and the well known short pip rubber, Friendship 927 802-40 on the back. This configuration will allow me to play my traditional looping style and also give me the option to use short pip straightforward play when needed. I can even choose to twiddle for some surprises.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

An Evening With Stepan Sarpaneva

2008-07-09T10:41:00.001+08:00

Share in my experience with the watchmaker from Finland!

Click on the photo to read about it...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Melaka, Malacca Makes It to UNESCO

2008-07-08T13:07:00.002+08:00

News link here.

Congratulations to my beloved hometown... once known as Sleepy Hollow!

"Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka demonstrates the early stages of this history originating in the 15th-century Malay sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early 16th century. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia."

The Subtlety Of Manglish

2008-07-04T10:10:00.001+08:00

"He's one of a kind!"

is so different in meaning when compared to...

"He's very one kind lah!"

Hinoki Is Gorgeous

2008-07-02T10:35:00.002+08:00

Whoever thought that table tennis blades can be items worth investing in. This blade made with kiso hinoki (japanese cypress) - wood that's at least 300 years old. Such wood, when harvested, is kept to air and dry over a year before being refined further into the shape of the blade you see below (with a luxurious thickness of at least 10mm). Hinoki used for such blades need to be of a certain age in order to achieve the uniform tight grain you see in the pictures below. The Butterfly Kim Taek Soo gets its name from a famous Korean table tennis player and is perhaps the most famous high end single ply japanese penholder (jpen) grip blade from Butterfly using the aforementioned precious wood. Butterfly also produces 2 other high end hinoki single ply jpen blades namely, Cypress Max and the super rare Cypress Special (which can only be obtained from Butterfly via special order). More on the Butterfly Kim Taek Soo here.

In any case, look at the very cute keyholder from Xiom. It looks to also be made from hinoki (though most certainly of lower hinoki quality). The back has Ryu Seung Min's signature - the current Olympic champion and Xiom's ambassador.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Ooh lookie - Omega and IWC!

2008-06-30T01:05:00.002+08:00

Take a peek!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Changing My Lifestyle?

2008-06-23T11:43:00.002+08:00

Tagged by Lynn.

Hmm what have I done to change my lifestyle for the better?

1) Eat healthier - I try to have an early breakfast nowadays. It's so much better for the liver than just a late brunch/lunch and definitely healthier than skipping breakfast and eating 2 meals a day. Contrary to the belief of some, eating breakfast can actually help your metabolic rate and keep your health levels in check.
2) Consolidate finances - well I've more or less stopped several vices (including buying watches, pens, sneakers, etc) but that doesn't mean I've stopped appreciating these fine things.
3) Play more PS3 - heheh... a fine evening can be obtained from a good game at home :)
4) Cook more at home - I've been trying to do more of this so I simply invite friends over to taste my cooking.
5) Do more side jobs - like writing more magazine articles to make extra cash.

One of the things that I must do - sleep more. It's kinda hard for me since I find sleeping in the afternoons a waste of time when there are so many other things I need to do. In any case, ensuring that you have enough sleep helps in increasing metabolic rate and peace of mind as well.

Anyway, extra cash is good... gives me the ability to afford that Hermès belt I've always wanted hahaha...

Also check out the Omega Olympics exhibition!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Stepan Sarpaneva

2008-06-11T16:38:00.002+08:00

Haute5 features Stepan Sarpaneva's Korona K2. Have a look by clicking on the photo below!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

20th Anniversary Of Ping Pong

2008-06-10T10:01:00.005+08:00

This year marks exactly 2 decades of my experience with ping pong/table tennis. Easily the most popular sport in China (and that makes it among the most popular sports in the world), my first memories of the game involve my observance of my classmates in secondary school going at it at the then newly bought ping pong tables at the back of the school main hall. I remember refusing to join them, already claiming defeat at how difficult the game looks. I had started off playing badminton several years back with wood/steel racquets and was getting nowhere with my game. So slowly, I began to creep into ping pong. It took me about 2 months to get up to the level of my already playing classmates back then. I vaguely remember my first successful smash. It was indeed a rush.

So began my journey into ping pong. We used to play every day from 2pm to 6pm after school. We played till the cheapo MDF tables began to disintegrate. We played till our white prefect pants got stained with the green of the tables. We played till we got into fights when the opposite table keep whacking balls onto our side forcing us to pick them up.

Being a penholder grip player, I had bought my first ping pong bat from Butterfly. I didn't really find anything I liked about it except that it was good for driving and smashing. I still have it - the rubber has already died and maybe someday, I'll get it working again. My 2nd bat is still in service today after 2 decades (also another premade Butterfly bat).

I remember my first experience with bona fide chinese school players (they were at least 5 years younger than us). As expected, their fundamentals were superb. In the end, once we got past their solid style of play, we managed to defeat them using 'unconventional' tactics and guile.

Then I said goodbye to my secondary school and went to Singapore for a couple of years of education. Desperate for playing partners, a couple of friends and I scoured the community centers and void decks of apartment blocks looking for playing kakis. This was when I learned about the 'king' rules where a winning player stays at the table to take on the next challenger. It was fun as I learnt a lot from the old folks playing at these community centers. I tried for the college ping pong team and I remember my nervousness at the trial conducted by the team coach. He ok-ed me to attend the training sessions but insulted my best buddy when he told him, "Is this all you got?" I felt bad so I promised not to join the training sessions if he was not eligible.

It was a couple of years later when I was studying at a local college when I got heavily into ping pong again. This time, I found a consistent set of players to practise regularly with. It was a good time. I even managed to play with the Selangor No 3 at that time (and was of course soundly defeated - only managing to steal a handful of points from him). A subsequent college I went to also found me a few more players with which to play ping pong with. And I learnt more about the game of ping pong.

As I left college and moved into my working years, I found it impossible to find ping pong players (except for the occasional game or two at a friend's house). Finally, after working for a few years, the company decided to book us some tables at the Bangsar Sport Center and we started training again. I had a couple of decent sparring partners. It was the company games back then and a company director insisted to join our team for the games. I remember him turning up for just one training session - inundiated with alcohol. I was so scared that he would collapse during that session. During the games itself, he simply didn't show up. Wtf...

During this time and in preparation for the games, I bought my first 'expensive' bat... a Butterfly Senkoh Z armed with a Sriver rubber. It was my first single ply cypress/hinoki bat.

You can see the grain of the precious wood below...

It was a few years after before the company prepared for us more tables to play at... this time at the company premises itself. We managed to get only a few sessions in before the playing area was closed for renovations.

Fast forward 5 years to the future. I managed to find a couple of new playing partners in KY and Dree. We're trying to push in more games into our hectic schedule (which also includes some badminton and futsal) and hopefully we'll get somewhere. KY and Dree are relative beginners but I have high hopes for them (especially after they just got new bats to play with). To commemorate this, I ordered a Kokutaku Super Cho Tokusen No 1 D-100 from Japan, one of the most famous high end Japanese penholder table tennis blades around. I heard it uses cypress/kiso hinoki wood that is at least 3 centuries old to obtain the beautiful grain and characteristic needed for the right 'feel'.

I will be installing Butterfly's new Tenergy 05 onto this bat. And we'll see how it performs...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

More of IWC

2008-06-03T18:17:00.003+08:00

This time it's the watches. This is from the steel collection of the 140th anniversary Vintage collection of IWC which is launched this year and is getting a lot of orders. Click on the photo to view the gallery.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

140 Years Of IWC

2008-05-30T09:55:00.004+08:00

I was priviledged enough to be invited by Valiramgroup and IWC to an exclusive dinner at 3rd Floor Restaurant, JW Marriott a couple of days back to celebrate the Schaffhausen's 140th anniversary. In the spirit of the jubilee, we were told to come in our suits and, at the venue, given steamer hats, scarves and walking sticks to complete the 'vintage' 19th century look.

The place was packed full of enthusiastic collectors but IWC and Valiram did a smashing job of setting up the venue and ensuring everyone had a good time.

Of course, the stars of the evening were the Vintage 1868 collection of IWC watches (both in steel and platinum). I will be shooting and presenting photos of those watches laster this week. Anyway, for the full report of the event

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

If you can't view the report, it means that you will need a Purists login (just register for one) or you can simply look at the pics here.

Blast From My Past Pt12 - Of Bookshops And Rubber Seeds

2008-05-27T09:45:00.003+08:00

I was thumbing my way through yesterday's Malay Mail while munching on some teriyaki salmon lunch when I came across an article/obituary on one of the most famous personalities of Malacca, Mr Lim Koh Sin. He was the owner of Lim Brothers Bookstore (at Riverside) which sadly closed in 2001 after 66 years of business. Seeing the bookshop mentioned after so long brought me a flood of memories and nostalgia. I used to crouch and squat for hours in their corridors, overlooked by stacks and stacks of books...

See the website Mr Lim's son did in honour of his father and the bookshop HERE. You can see the shelves I'm talking about.

Anyway, I used to spend precious pocket money on fantasy books (such as Choose Your Own Adventure, Lone Wolf, Way Of The Tiger and Fighting Fantasy) and Smash Hits mags as well as comics like Topper, Beano and Dandy. It was an annual affair to buy the annuals released by these comics publications. It was also an annual pilgrimage to purchase school text books and stationery here to complement our crispy new uniforms. And when I was lacking in funds, I would just read story books there - coming back time and again to finish off the books. When I was lucky, I would get books from here as a reward (from my parents and relatives) for doing well in my studies.

So it is with some sadness and fond memories when I saw the article and subsequently, the website... Lim Brothers will always be a recognized and honoured name among the current batch of working (and retired adults) born and bred in Malacca.

On another note, today on Mix FM, the DJs were talking about childhood pastimes (thank god, something worth listening to instead of the garbage they normally spew every morning). Got me to think about what we used to do with seeds from the rubber tree... in primary school, we used to gather these seeds. When you take a seed and rub it really hard and fast against a rough hard surface like tarmac or cement, the seed will get really hot. So we would have immeasurable fun taking these hot seeds and quickly finding some poor victim to touch with these seeds. As you can tell, we didn't need to have a lot to have pure clean fun!

Indy Jones And The Crystal Skull? Maybe spoilers...

2008-05-23T10:04:00.005+08:00

It's been a long time coming... 19 years since last Lucas and Spielberg got together. I still remember having the hotdog from outside Rex Cinema in KL back in 1982 before the start of Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

And over this time, Harrison Ford got really old. In any case, is the magic still there? The theme doesn't fail to make me stifle my tears. The sound of the whip and the Bollywood-style sound effects of the punches are still there. The plane flying across the map with a trailing red line is still there. Heck, we even get a glimpse of the Ark. And Cate Blanchett is oh-so hot!

Well, I must say that I DID enjoyed the movie. Shia LaBeouf wasn't as annoying as I thought he would be. Some set pieces and scenes are amazingly spectacular (and some too fantastical to be believable - I'm not talking about the ending) but others made the movie not as chee-keck as I wanted it to be. But the green screen scenes and CGI do detract a little especially. There were homages to Sean Connery and Denholm Elliot which I thought were appropriate and brought back fond memories.

So what do you make of it?

A thing of beauty

2008-05-21T14:49:00.003+08:00

Isn't foie gras just a thing of beauty? Damn sinful when done right...

Foie gras with apple slices starter at Flams.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Wesak Reflections

2008-05-20T13:55:00.002+08:00

The past weekend has been tiring due to illness (cough, fever, etc) and a ton of work that required me back at the office (even though it's a holiday weekend).

I strive each year to at least drop by a Buddhist temple during Wesak and managed to sneak in some time to offer prayers at Wat Chetawan last evening. It's the least I can do to take a step back, breath and reflect on my recent life, my current situation and my future - at least that's what I try to do when I toll the bells and drop coins into the alms bowls at the temple.

There were a couple of things that irked me though - inconsiderate temple-goers that parked haphazardly in front of nearby residents' houses and even blocking a church gate (the temple staff had to PA several announcements to politely tell these jokers to move). Not that there was any lack of parking! Walk a bit more lah cibai!

Then, when I was waiting in line to slot in the coins at the line of Buddha statues, a few kids were pushing donors aside in some sort of stupid race. Only after I yelled, "WAIT! What the hell?!" that their parents chastised them.

*Shakes head* why must something like this happen on such a holy day? Sigh...

Forgetting The Simplest Of Pleasures

2008-05-07T11:17:00.002+08:00

Last night I was walking towards the car park at the old wing of 1 Utama when I saw 2 kids running past me with their parents in tow. The kids were racing to be the first at a coin ride (one of those rides where you slot in some coins and the children can sit on a train/car thingamajig for a few minutes of fun). Unfortunately for the twosome, another child arrived at the ride first and hopped on while her mom slotted in a coin for her. Undaunted, the initial siblings ran to another ride on the opposite side and jumped excitedly while looking at their parents longingly for some coins.

This got me thinking back to the times when I enjoyed such rides. 20 sen could give a child such a smile that would not go away for a while. One could even ride on Ultraman's back in some places. I remember in Yaohan Singapore (can't recall which branch) there was also a ride where I could press some buttons and the car would horn or light up. Such control over the machine was unheard of back then so we were of course fascinated!

Then again, thinking not so far back, I know some jokers who would have continued playing with those rides if it were not for the age limit. Knn...

Chopard's Turn

2008-05-05T16:46:00.003+08:00

Was privy to view and experience the new offerings from Chopard for 2008. We were first presented with a nice overview of the boutique at Pavilion and then a short but informative presentation by Chopard. Dinner was at Kampachi (lovely and much better than my first experience of Kampachi Pavilion) and no attention to detail was spared i.e. even the disposable chopsticks were embossed with the Chopard name.

After most of the guests left, we were privy to a special viewing of the 2008 Basel releases. I was deeply impressed with the new Tourbillon with WAS (Winding Assistance System) which has been improved since last I saw it. The crank now has an ingenious locking system so that it will not slip off the crown during winding action. And then there's the lovely Strike One. But mostly, I could not take my eyes (and hands) off the Chrono One. What an impressive piece with great presence! Check them out by clicking on the photo below.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Evolution...

2008-05-04T17:53:00.001+08:00

Atari 2600
Commodore 64
Super Nintendo
Sega Saturn
Playstation 1
Sega Dreamcast
Playstation 2
Playstation 3??? ^_^

Unexpected

2008-05-02T18:11:00.003+08:00

I was talking to some friends over dinner last week and one of them told me that one of his office colleagues has heard of me through my blog. Seems like this reader could repeat my interests from the stuff that I publish on this blog.

Well what a pleasant surprise... and here I thought not many bothers with what I write. So for you mystery reader(s) out there, do drop me a line and let me know that you take the time to drop by this humble blog ya? Thank you for your kind attention! *Sends out virtual waves and kisses* ^_^

Six Million Dollar Dree! Mesti Tonton!

2008-04-29T11:47:00.003+08:00

Presenting the debut of Six Million Dollar Dree. If you look carefully at his face - he looks like he just won RM6,000,000 from Mega 6/52.

And in the world of high speed cameras, reality takes on a whole new meaning. Time dilation is fun!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Jaeger Le-Coultre Gives A Glimpse

2008-04-25T09:14:00.002+08:00

Jaeger Le-Coultre gives JLC LeClub members a glimpse of what is coming in 2008. It was a quiet evening at the JLC boutique at Starhill where a small crowd of LeClub members were priviledged to be invited to peek at the new offerings. Here we have a few new stunning Squadras for the ladies and a reincarnation of the famed Polaris. Read my full report by clicking on the photo below...

And on another totally unrelated note, check out these cool socks that can only be found in selected Nike (and Nike Culture) boutiques. The soles have rubberized patterns so you won't slip when you wear them indoors. I believe they are only for the Asian market and comes in various colourways. MSRP? RM22.90. Get them all!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Time In History

2008-04-16T16:32:00.003+08:00

A must read article by Jack Forster at Horomundi. Click on the photo for the full story.

Probably the most amazing watch ever made in history. For Marie Antoinette but never completed until after her death. Took 44 years to create. Stolen in 1983 and resurfaced last year. And now... a replica made of 823 parts. Read it!

Seiko SARB031

2008-04-16T11:24:00.003+08:00

Some quick shots of the very very affordable (around USD300+) and stunning handwindable and hackable Seiko SARB031. Very reminiscent of an old style Grand Seiko (and perfect if you don't wanna plunk cash down for a GS), this piece is really gorgeous and will suit you well if you pair it with a nice french cuffed white shirt. Has the solid 6R15 movement inside and a solid signed crown for easy grip during winding. There's also a black dialed version in the SARB029 which is also nice. Click on the thumbs for the larger pics.

Finish is excellent at this price point though I am not fond of the visible holes on the outer side of the lugs. It has a hardlex crystal that is curved and this gives it a really vintage look.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Kayano Is King

2008-04-03T14:46:00.005+08:00

I'm fitter than I used to be. Well, not much, but my stamina has definitely improved a lot from 3 times a week of badminton and a weekly dose of futsal. All this after a decade plus of inactivity due to laziness coupled with my double slipped discs. While my enthusiasm in sports is at an all time high, my body simply cannot take the pounding. I find a lot of injuries cropping up at my knees and ankles so I don't stinge on proper support for my feet i.e. shoes.

Click on the photos for the larger versions...

I use a well recommended Asics Gel Tactics for badminton and I've heard much about the legendary Asics Kayano (now in its 14th iteration). While Asics' running shoe cosmetics have a love/hate relationship with the populace, their performance have left many avid runners asking for more. Consistently on "Editor's Choice" lists or running shoe awards (e.g. see the respected running website, Runnersworld), the Kayano has gained much applause for its performance. The 13th version had a big reputation to follow up to in light of the stunning 12th edition but now, the 14th version has about 25% more gel installed and, though just released in Dec07/Jan08, has already garnered a lot of praise from runners around the globe.

In any case, I don't really have enough time to run/jog around that much nowadays but I try to slip in a little of it during weekends. I admit, I use the shoes mainly for walking about. The Kayano is very much a support type running shoe which means that you won't find it the softest or plushest running shoe around (you can try the Nike Pegasus+ or the Asics Nimbus 9 for that). It's meant for neutral footing position (as opposed to supinated/pronated footing) and you can compare the support/padding it gives to the solid shock absorbers found in teutonic cars (like BMW or Mercedes). While I am aware that there are more expensive Asics running shoes around (like the new Kinsei 2 and the Kinetic) and also other firm favourites from brands like Saucony and Brooks (not to mention the popular choices from Adidas/Puma/Nike etc), I have grown to love the Kayano and will not hesitate to get another pair.

Now I just have to convince my super fit Ironman buddy to get a pair hahaha... Oh btw, if any of you running shoe marketing folks are out there reading this, he's the man to sponsor a pair of shoes for review/test run.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

WTF??? Not another Onitsuka Tiger???!!!???

2008-04-03T00:30:00.001+08:00

Ah... a thing of beauty. I cannot resist... (click on the photo for more views)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

A ton of Bell & Ross announcements

2008-03-31T12:08:00.002+08:00

In recent times, there have been many announcements by Bell & Ross in their quest to expand their extremely hot and popular Instrument series.

First off, read an official report on the new BR01 Red and Yellow and also the BR03 Blue and Phantom. Click on the photo for the full report.

I also attended an exclusive and fun event for Bell & Ross fans at Eest, Westin to see first hand some of the new pieces. Click on the photo for the full report.

Next there is the news release on some new BR02 colours as well as the new BR02 Chronograph. Click on the photo for the full report.

And perhaps the biggest announcement from Bell & Ross for 2008 are the new Grand Minuteur and the Minuteur Tourbillon. Check out the amazing new designs! Click on the photos for the full report.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Kena Mega 6/52!!!

2008-03-31T10:28:00.001+08:00

Oo... what did I win? 4th prize... KNN "RM3 per RM1 bet" which means I won a measly RM3.00. Ok lah... enough to buy some random 4D number Big/Small...

M.A.C done by Fafi

2008-03-28T10:03:00.005+08:00

Last Wednesday saw me attending the M.A.C event which features artwork by French artist, Fafi. Fafi's cute designs which features Fafinettes are splayed on all the new range of cosmetics products and definitely boosts the eye-catching packaging of M.A.C.

In any case, it was a very cool event with vibrant colours hitting every corner of the eye. The area was a little cramped for the hordes of attendees but the finger food was interesting (mini burgers on toothpicks) and champagne flowed incessantly.

Click on the thumbs to see the large picture.

The setup...

Make-up artists busy helping out the guests to try out the new range.

The organizers also setup a very appropriate central display that had popular music video games, Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero for guests to play.

Of course it gave us undescribable sights...

Some guests were jumping with delight. I can tell you from experience, Guitar Hero is orgasmic fun!

Then we were introduced to the cute Fafinettes!

I'm sure you're now curious as to how they look like from the front... well here they are enjoying a round of Guitar Hero!

I'd like to thank Chery Wong, M.A.C's marketing manager, for the invite :)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

V3 Return Kick!

2008-03-25T10:05:00.002+08:00

Well it's about time I starting blogging again...

Kamen Raida Bui Suri! Henshin!

Masked Rider V3 is revamped in the new movie, Masked Rider : The Next...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

It's hard to be positive...

2008-02-18T17:10:00.002+08:00

I know I've been away from my blog for more than a moon but it has been a time of introspection. CNY2008 has come and we're almost through with the celebrations but 2008 and the year of the Rat has not been kind so far.

I lost my Ah Ma about 3 months back. Every CNY, we would visit her on the 1st day. It's been like that for as long as I can remember but now things change. It will never be the CNY I know anymore. Heartbreaking as it is, I lost my beloved Uncle Louis about a month ago. I still cannot understand why he was taken from us so suddenly. I saw him last Christmas and he was so happy to see all of us at his house to exchange gifts. I miss you Uncle Louis.

At least I thank the heavens that my father got better from a very taxing illness just before CNY. I myself got sick on the first day of CNY and even as I write this, I am just getting better (after falling ill again over the weekend).

I pray things get better for my family.

Since my last blog...

2008-01-02T11:01:00.000+08:00

Happy 2008! May it be a fruitful and healthy year for you all! Well, certainly 2007 ended with a bang for me...

Click on the thumbnails below for full reports and galleries...

First off, JLC officially launched their Master Compressor Diver watches at Luna Bar.

And talking about divers, we also saw Bell & Ross new BR02 diver watches... lovely stuff (plus some new BR03s and popular BR01s) at Cova Restaurant, Midvalley Gardens. Am craving that black professional BR02 that's reminiscent of a 70s Seiko diver.

The year end is also the time when I celebrate my birthday... so a ton of wonderful gifts from so many valued friends (not to mention gifts I buy for myself hahaha).

There were at least 3 pairs of sneakers that snuck in...

Nike Cortez Deluxe O '06

Onitsuka Tiger Mini Clubman

Converse Jack Purcell

Gorgeous leather products...

From LV

From Braun Buffel

From Caran d'Ache

Got a glorious watch winder (by Wolf Designs)!

And even got some other really thoughtful and cherished gifts from my good friends including books, t-shirts, booze and toiletries :)

Had a smashing birthday party (with the ALL WHITE dress code) at The Attic :)

Here's a shot of me with my 2nd Flaming Lambo for the night *hic*

Also spent some interesting times at KY's Xmas party causing mayhem with bacon bakkua.

Again, thank you to all of my friends for a wonderful 2007 and all the amazing gifts and camaraderie to fuel me and keep me going for 2008 :)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

A Ton Of Events Left Me Tired

2007-12-18T08:21:00.000+08:00

Well it has been quite a fulfilling month of non-stop events...

Click on the photos below for the full galleries/reports.

Of course there was the big Journey Through Time Exhibition at Starhill...

Then there was the smashing Coach launch party at Westin which exceeded my expectations by far...

The big launch for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Jalan Bukit Bintang limited edition which had superb food from Sentidos Tapas...

And then for something different, I dropped by the Japan Foundation to view some Kokeshi dolls...

Anyway Xmas is just round the corner... so take care everyone and happy holidays! Have a look at the marvellous Xmas tree at Pavilion!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Rolex Vs Audemars Piguet

2007-12-11T14:21:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday was a hectic one where I had to attend 2 events in a row. First off in the earlier part of the evening, I dropped by Pavilion to witness the opening of Valiram Group's new Rolex boutique. Click on the photo below to see some of the watches on display there...

Then I rushed over to Starhill for the launch of Audemars Piguet's new Limited Edition Jalan Bukit Bintang Royal Oak Offshore. For the full report, please click on the photo below...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

M.A.C The Stylistics

2007-12-02T23:09:00.000+08:00

M.A.C had a launch last week for their The Stylistics collection in conjunction with the introduction of their new boutique in Pavilion KL. Click on the thumbs for the bigger photos.

Alek Wek was the supermodel chosen to highlight the new collection.

The boutique was shrouded with mysterious black curtains for the event...

Some scenes from the interior of the boutique and also the collection...

The people in attendance...

DJ hard at work...

Personalities such as Bernie Chan, Adrian Seet and Ida Nerina...

M.A.C Marketing Manager Chery (middle with 2 of her friends)

Chery getting ready for her TV interview...

I had also invited Joanna and Charmayne to join me for the evening and they had fun shopping...

Food and drink were in abundance!

2 very VERY tall models from Brazil were at the event to showcase the cosmetics and also some body art made from shiny bead-like pebbles that were glued onto their skin using special skin glue. It was quite a hassle to apply them and a lot of hard work to keep them in place.

The models, however, had a lot of fun!

And a final parting shot...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Polo Wars

2007-11-23T11:14:00.000+08:00

The original modern form of the Polo shirt/t-shirt was made famous by Lacoste. Today most of the iconic polo/tennis shirts are made with woven pique cotton with some brands employing the use of lycra in their more athletic slimmer cuts.

Anyway, polo shirts are popular in our country because it's simply practical. The cotton material is of course cooling. Many find them to give a slightly more formal look than a collarless t-shirt and some prefer the preppy look of the upturned collar. Polo shirts are also good with blazers. Some will layer the shirts (even though it's kinda hot in Malaysia) with a different coloured t-shirt on the inside (and they emphasize the contrast by folding the sleeves of the polo to let the inside shirt peek out). I actually find it alright to layer by wearing, on the inside, a singlet to prevent sweat spots from appearing on the front or armpits of the polo... especially with the darker colours. It's so unappealing to have sweat stains.

Due to the high price, oftentimes, people will (mis)regard wearing certain branded polos as status symbols. To add to this, Ralph Lauren's Big Pony logo (on their BPPs) and Lacoste's larger crocodile logo on some of their polos, were created, I believe, to add to the aim of educating the masses on brand consciousness (and maybe enticing them to buy).

This has of course led to the emergence of counterfeit/fake polo shirts found in places like Chinatown. They definitely cost a fraction of the real thing but one sometimes wonders if these are truly fakes or simply production overruns. The emergence of such polos in wholesalers such as FOS and Reject shop also adds to the confusion. I have heard stories that the factories in China actually counterfeit branded polos and then purposely cut off the labels before shipping them out in order to confuse the customers into believing that such polos are the real thing ("Oo... look here, I got a good deal because these are rejected goods from the factory and they must have cut off the labels so as not to devalue the brand!")

Caveat emptor.

Anyway, back on the high price, I have found that the expensive polos normally have these characteristics...
- Have a better fit (different choices e.g. PRL's custom or classic fit to suit your body style)
- The colours do not fade so easily
- Retains shape better after wash
- Nice buttons. Some are Mother Of Pearl. Most are signed.

That said, high priced branded polos can be seriously overpriced in Malaysia. Moreover, I HAVE also found polos that are far cheaper with similar characteristics. Oftentimes you will find excellent products from Fila (their colours are wonderful and they never fade or colour-run) and GAP (which offers the athletic fit).

Brands like Hang Ten and Giordano also offer a wide range of comfortable polos for a very low price. I have several of the former in various colours and have always found them to be very dependable. I also have some brandless polos (got free as premium gifts from events) that are excellent (even better than some branded ones). I have heard of polos from Le Tigre as well and am keen to try them. Btw, last weekend, I saw some British India ones that look similar to RLs but have elephants instead of horses. They even have large elephant logos on some of them.

Anyway, here are some opinions on some of the polos I have. Apart from the Ben Sherman, the rest can be found in Malaysia.

Ben Sherman

Ben Sherman polos are a bit on the slim fit side. The material is nice and soft and they have small fine details. I found mine to be very comfortable.

Crocodile

Crocodile seems to be trying to come back to the fore after their tussle with Lacoste over the crocodile logo. The interesting thing is that back in the 80s and 90s, Crocodile was always seen in Malaysia to be the premium polo brand. You could find really cheap Lacoste shirts back then so we thought that Crocodile were the ones to get. Today, the reality is that Crocodile shirts are not as expensive as Lacoste. I saw this argyle weave in their boutique a while back and decided to get it. However, the shirt shrank A LOT after one wash and I was not happy. I would have expected better quality from a polo that cost RM100+. Too bad.

Shanghai Tang

Shanghai Tang has a range of polos called the Genghis Khans. They are similar in concept to the Ralph Lauren BPPs except that they have the stand/mandarin collar. I liked them when I saw them in the boutique. However, I did not get any because the cut is really weird and, imho, doesn't fit the Malaysian body that well because the shoulders are wide causing the sleeves to jut out. And the sleeves are slightly longer than other polos. On top of that, where for some brands I had to go for L or XL, Shanghai Tang's size S would be closest for me. I had another friend try it out and he had similar impressions. I did however get another product from them.

Fred Perry

I am glad that Fred Perry has made its appearance in Malaysia officially. There's a small counter in Tangs Pavilion and I hear their boutique will open in Midvalley Gardens come December. However, I am betting that only the non Limited Edition Made in China polos will be present. For the Limited Edition Made in UK versions, I think we still have to go to Singapore. Here's hoping that I am proven wrong when the boutique opens. FP polos are very comfortable. I found them to be fitting but not as fitting as Ben Shermans. The pique cotton is very soft. Currently I think they are a bit overpriced in Malaysia.

Banana Republic

I love the BR polo quality. I think their lycra-ed versions are of very good quality. I wish that they produce more vibrant colours though - hopefully in the Spring/Summer collection. At current prices, they are priced lower than a Lacoste or a Ralph Lauren and this makes them slightly better value imho. Quality is up there for sure. To top it all of, BR generally do not display their logo anyway on the front of the polo. I think they simply want to be good products with little flash.

Lacoste

The one that started it all. Lacoste polos are not only the ones who started the trend but also included the side slits at the bottom of the polos and the longer rear flap to ensure that your polo does not slip out of your pants if you bend forward. They also added the stiffer collar that can be propped up to cover the back of the neck from the sun. Anyway Lacoste has the normal green label (one with small crocodile and the newer range with a larger croc logo) and also the silver label which is slightly costlier and the polos employ the use of lycra to make them stretchable as they are very slim fit.

Ralph Lauren

Finally, the Ralph Lauren Polo. It is equally as famous as Lacoste and comes in several variants. The most popular today are the Big Pony Polos (BPPs) - named as such due to the large ponies on the left breast. There are many variants today (you can check the style guide on their website for the meaning of the numbers). But if you just want a plain good old quality polo, you cannot go wrong with a RL polo with the smaller ponies.

There are also some other brands that may warrant your attention. Burberry has a nice range of premium polos as well and their fit is quite snug (slim).

In any case, the above text is only IMHO from my own personal experiences. Please feel free to comment if you have your own thoughts on this. Also would like to know your experiences with various brands.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Breguet Bling!

2007-11-19T11:13:00.000+08:00

Ok... RM2.5 Million priced watch... super BLING!

Check it out by clicking on the photo below (also included are the La Tradition Fusee Tourbillon and the Reveil Du Tsar).

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Puma x Evisu Black Tattoo Denims now available!

2007-11-15T16:32:00.000+08:00

When Puma first launched this new series of collabs with Evisu earlier this year, I knew I had to get a pair. I was quite enamoured of the shiny black swallows/paintstrokes on the back pockets of the denims. So when the new Puma boutique opened in Pavilion recently, I decided to check them out. I already had a pair from the earlier version of the True Love Never Dies series but was quite happy with this new one when I saw them. Check out the detailed work!

Also, don't forget to get some TLND notebooks!

You get a special plastic/paper bag when you buy these jeans...

Oh btw, Rudolf Dasslers and Miharas kicks as well as the Urban Mobility range are also available at the boutique. Make sure you grab some free postcards ^_^

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Peeking at the new IWC boutique in Kuala Lumpur

2007-11-13T10:22:00.000+08:00

Finally decided to drop by the new IWC boutique in Pavilion to have a personal look at the stunning watches! My report when you click on the photo below...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Eva Popiel and the Global Talk Show

2007-11-12T10:27:00.000+08:00

Just managed to catch the show Talk with Beauties (aka Chit Chat with Beauties aka Global Talk Show) on the new KBS channel on Astro (303). Wah lao, the show doesn't have any subtitles but with my rudimentary Korean, I can catch a bit of it. It's a panel of some REALLY pretty girls from all around the world and the host and a group of Koreans talk with them about everything Korean including some interesting and funny topics concerning daily Korean life and how a foreigner experiences Korea.

Anyway, one of the most famous girls on the panel is Eva Popiel...

Youtube clip...

Btw, there's also a Malaysian girl on the panel - Sophia Ridza.

The official site for the show is HERE.

IWC and Ronan Keating

2007-11-04T02:39:00.000+08:00

Was lucky enough to be invited to Valiram Group's new IWC boutique launch at Mandarin Oriental on 2/11/07. The secret guest for the night was Ronan Keating.

Anyway, you can read my full report by clicking on the photo below...

I also took some short videos of his performance (which was amazing to say the least)!

Btw Kim Ong blogged about it too!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Seiko taking bold new steps...

2007-10-26T13:30:00.000+08:00

Although some hate the quirky new designs of Seiko's new offerings, I cannot help but be amazed at them. Spring Drive powered, the new Izul chronographs and this stunning Credor have definitely been playing a lot in my mind lately.

First, see this Credor (click on the photo for the website)...

And then there's the most interesting Izul which case can be turned around...

Spring Drive inside...

Blow up shows the amazing number of parts inside.

Don't forget to check out the website!

Shopping and Street Fighter 4, hell yeah!

2007-10-19T09:57:00.000+08:00

While I appreciate the fine clothing at Banana Republic, I think we all agree that it's a little bit overpriced (especially to those who are used to lower prices in the States). Nevertheless, when I see something I like, mesti beli! As you can see, the fine details and workmanship on the polo... very nice and at the very least cheaper than Lacoste or PRL equivalents. And I have some discount vouchers to use... yay!

On another note, there's a relatively new cuff link and tie shop in 1 Utama. It's called Cuffz. Some interesting items can be found there. Prices are not too bad and the service is good.

I could not resist the rhodium plated Transformer cuff links :)

On YET ANOTHER note, Shanghai Tang opens its doors at Pavilion KL. I've been highly anticipating its launch for a while especially since I did not get to visit their branch in Singapore on my last trip there.

Their paper bag is so wonderfully colourful.

And they have nicely printed receipts...

I wanted to get one of their Genghis Khan polos but the choice of sizes in the colour I wanted was not available and also those in other colours, did not fit quite well. So I got myself another item with those mandarin collars which I so love (I have a few shirts tailored with those collars as well).

Again, prices are a little bit on the high side. Hope sales will come soon. In any case, they gave extra buttons in a small paper envelope but I actually prefer these sewed onto the shirt inside label (dunno what those are called) somewhere inside so as not to lose them.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

On another insanely happy note, I am glad that Street Fighter 4 has finally been announced by Capcom. It brings tears to my eyes and shivers down my spine. Can't believe it's 20 years since I first played the first Street Fighter!

Check out the SICK teaser by clicking on the pic below.

Fuck yeah! Hadoken, hadoken, hadoken.... Shin-shoryuken!

A Date With Valentino Rossi

2007-10-18T10:48:00.000+08:00

Read my report by clicking on the photo below...

And if you can't get enough of him, click on the photo below for the full gallery of the event!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

JEANRICHARD Dark Side Of The Moon And BR01 Tourbillon

2007-10-17T11:40:00.000+08:00

Stunning stunning marvels...

Read my short reports and the rest of the pics by clicking on the photos below!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

An experience with the stunning Caran d'Ache 1010 Limited Edition

2007-10-12T09:10:00.000+08:00

Amazing amazing fountain pen by Caran d'Ache.

Approx SGD25k for the rhodium plated and SGD160k for the solid gold.

I am privileged to be able to see one in person.

Click on the thumbnail to see my report.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

BM RAH Kamen Rider Hibiki And Kabuto... Henshin!

2007-10-04T11:56:00.000+08:00

1, 2, 3, Raida Keeku!

Click on the photos for the full galleries.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Just went I thought I was out, YOU pulled me back in...

2007-10-02T13:09:00.000+08:00

Pictures say it all. Click on them for a larger version.

Some cute cuff links...

Fred Perry T-Shirts

Lee Gold Label jeans (101z)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Tucking into Spanish tapas at La Cocina, USJ Taipan

2007-10-01T11:38:00.000+08:00

KY ajak me to go makan La Cocina at USJ Taipan last Friday.

38 USJ9/5P, subang Jaya.
Tel : 03-80232395.

Our wonderful host, Mr Jeganathan (owner and manager) has experience being a chef on the QE2 and decided to open a Spanish cuisine restaurant in Malaysia after seeing the dearth of such restaurants over here. In any case, here's what we had. Click on the thumbs for larger pics.

Sangria... fresh and undiluted. The wine used was of decent quality as I could still taste the intense wine flavours swirling around with the orange peel.

Battered Calamares - thoroughly enjoyed this with the accompanying garlic mayo. Can taste the spices in the batter and the squid is fried just nice (fresh and not tough).

Gambas (shrimp) in olio, garlic and wine... superb with bread to dip with.

Wonderful mushrooms and lamb meatballs. Very flavourful. Among the best tapas I had.

The most fascinating Tigres (mussels croquette) served in mussel shells.

House specialty - paella negres (paella cooked in squid ink). This dish can look scary at first due to the intense black colour but the seafood taste is subtle and tasty indeed!

Desserts - almond tart and crema catalana (which is superb - the crusty caramel on top sets off the custard cream underneath perfectly)!

Some details of the restaurant which complements the light Spanish music playing in the air.

La Cocina also has a wine club (with some great value for money wine dinners) and a fine selection of wines handpicked by Mr Jeganathan (who was also a former sommelier).

I must say that the food is really good. I was impressed by the cosy relaxed atmosphere of the place. I was also appreciative of how familiar the management was of the guests (many of them are regulars). Friday nights are Salsa nights so you can go enjoy the revelry on the start of the weekend while tucking in to the joyous food (by the way, kitchen closes at 1am daily so you know where to look for tapas for supper). Will definitely go again and sip some good wine while tucking into tapas.

Thanks again Mr Jega!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Solewhat Kuala Lumpur Opening!

2007-10-01T10:21:00.000+08:00

What an exciting and wonderful event Solewhat did for their opening in MidValley Gardens! Apart from the multiple interviews to the media (don't forget to check the reports on TV), Solewhat also attracted a vast mix of enthusiasts and I was glad to be part of it. Anyway, what I witnessed today...

Wonderful details around the shop... (click on the thumbs to see the larger photo).

Shoes shoes shoes! Sneakers sneakers sneakers!

The beaming Taukeh Kedai. Congrats man and thanks again!

Thanks for viewing!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Happy Mid Autumn Festival... and some shopping!

2007-09-25T09:13:00.000+08:00

Well another year has passed and today is, once more, the 2nd most important festival to many Chinese around the world. It's the Mid Autumn Festival aka Mooncake Festival aka Lantern Festival. So best wishes to you and your family and have a wonderful year ahead and good health to everyone :)

Last weekend I was at Kiara Park and it was heartwarming to see families gathering for a potluck. Also a great chance for kids to play with their lanterns. I saw a man who made a wonderful twin spinning lantern cans with a mobstick and some silicon wheels. It was cool to talk with him and hear his experience making the toy.

It was also interesting to see something else I haven't seen for ages... a coconut broom which someone brought. The broom itself is nothing special, being ubiquitous in many Malaysian houses... but the owner stuck some cloves of garlic and shallots on it as well as some dried chillies. It is supposed to drive off rain and I must say, even though the sky threatened to spill that day, it did not. Hmm...

Anyway, Puma launched the Moon Festival Clyde the past week and, today, it is officially released in some Puma boutiques in Malaysia. I managed to grab a pair of these Limited Editions just in time for the mooncake festival last night. I had called the boutique a few times prior and made sure I got there when I heard the news that they had received stock. The unique features of these sneakers are the Moon design on the tongue tab and the Moon Lady embroidered on the heel tab. The Chinese characters of “月亮” are imprinted on the side. Mita Sneakers in Japan did these collabs and apparently, there are only 242 pairs released in Japan. I have no idea how many pairs these are limited to in Malaysia and Singapore. Price? RM329.

There are actually 2 colourways (silver and burgundy) and I chose silver simply because it looks much more like the moon. In fact, the leather has a moon surface pattern on it.

Click on the thumbnails to see the larger photos.

I was also pleasantly surprised that the Puma boutique in Malaysia now has Puma x Evisu collab jeans series titled, True Love Never Dies (TLND). I had earlier intentions to get a pair in Singapore but I did not have the time to look for the Puma boutique there. In any case, while the black denim series I wanted had yet to arrive, I tried on a pair of these and was really happy with the feel and fit of them so I got a pair. By the way, the jeans come in regular/loose and rigid/worn fits for both sexes. If you're a jeans fan, do check them out. In any case, they're made in Turkey and look good with the small details and the iconic seagull/paint stroke of Evisu (even though they're not Japanese selvedge denim).

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Argyle Keeps Coming Back

2007-09-24T10:46:00.000+08:00

There's something about Argyle patterns. They keep coming back and never go out of style... like Paisley.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Typically, their reappearance heralds the arrival of the Fall/Autumn collections from many fashion houses and this year is no exception.

I find this one from Ben Sherman to be hypnotic...

HERE.

And a fine example from Banana Republic.

HERE.

Heck... even women get into it...

HERE.

HERE.

Just A Watch

2007-09-19T10:13:00.000+08:00

Picture says it all. Click for larger version.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Zenith 2007 Defy Sport XTreme Stealth and Gold&Ti Launch

2007-09-13T09:57:00.000+08:00

Check out my report on this event. Click on the photo below for it.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

I raided Singapore and these are my spoils...

2007-09-12T13:13:00.000+08:00

Click on the photos for bigger photos...

Ben Sherman polo... from the Fall 2007 collection. Notice the interesting pattern that is only seen in bright light. The paper wrap has wonderful intricate details.

Cap that came with my new Gulfman...

Region 1 300 double disc Special Edition...

In the spirit of the Rugby World Cup 2007 currently ongoing in France...

A couple of Canterbury polos. These are so hard to find in KL.

Springboks World Cup Polo!

Wallabies Training Polo!

And something which I was looking for... the Adidas All Blacks special edition jersey with the World Cup logo. Comes in a special dust jacket and hanger as well. There is one more version - the actual replica jersey that's made in NZ but that one is SGD260 and way beyond my budget. The former is Climacool material whereas the latter uses thicker and more robust Climalite cloth.

Also I spotted something unexpected at the Adidas Originals boutique. It's a special All Blacks Originals Track Top (different from the regular one). Has an oversized fern logo and a black Adidas logo and stripes.

Of course who could forget sneakers - I finally got a pair with the Kill Bill colour scheme. A pair of Injector DX from Three Star Sixty.

Also managed to find something I was REALLY interested in. The retro Puma Argentina OG (Limited Edition). Found a pair at the Limited Edition Vault in The Heeren. There are only 240 pairs in the world and mine is 151/240.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Don't ask me how much I spent...

What A Wonderful Tempus 2007

2007-09-12T12:16:00.000+08:00

Wah... a very tiring weekend for me seeing soooo many watches until blur... click on the photo for the full report...

I also took part in the Tempus photo contest but only managed to get into the finals.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Sincere Watches Hosts Us Malaysian Watch Lovers

2007-09-12T11:32:00.000+08:00

Sincere Watches was kind enough to host us Malaysian watch lovers in their new Haute Horlogerie boutique. Click on the photo below for the full report.

We also visited the Franck Muller boutique across the road for a cocktail...

Finally read about my dinner at The House in Dempsey Road...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Crazy Horomundi Pajama Party!

2007-09-12T10:53:00.000+08:00

What a crazy and wonderful party it was last Sunday night at St James Power Station at Sentosa Gateway... my report when you click on the photo below!

I brought Pinkpau along as well. The interesting thing about clubs in Singapore now is that smoking is only allowed in a designated area so the air is fresh! Things got wilder that night as I got higher with more alcohol. A prominent character even got onto the bar counter in his undies!

Oh yes, Jackie Chan was there... playing with a pillow... alone on the sofa...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Update - for some reason my earlier linkage was pointing to something else. This has been fixed.

Visiting Sincere Watch Academy

2007-09-12T10:37:00.000+08:00

What a wonderful experience it was... click on the photo for the full report.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Casio G-Shock Gulfman - Triple Crown Edition

2007-09-12T09:56:00.000+08:00

I finally got it! Click on the photo for the full gallery...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Singapore Time

2007-09-12T09:37:00.000+08:00

Was in Singapore for Tempus last weekend. More on Tempus later...

Anyway a trio of random straightforward shots...

Met up with Tracy too! We had Pepper Lunch at Shaw House. I had the double burger. It was excellent. So good that I had it again the next day.

Also had Shimbashi Soba at Paragon. I liked the fact that the soba sensei was present to show off his skills at cutting soba. The noodles were a bit too al dente for my liking though. I had the tororo seiro (grated yam) which made me feel a bit full as it was really starchy. At the end, the waitress poured some water (from boiling the soba) into the cup of dashi to make a wonderful 'soup' for us to down. Also ordered some delicious hot sake, salmon carpaccio and deep fried homemade tofu which was drowned in a lot of bonito shavings.

Finally a shot of Newater (shaky shot warning as I was in a rush and I didn't check the photo).

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Of Sneaker Freaker, Lacoste and Kiks Tyo

2007-09-04T09:36:00.000+08:00

The cool guys at Sneaker Freaker sent me a free copy of their latest issue in appreciation for linking shots of my sneakers on their site. Good stuff!

Anyway, got myself yet ANOTHER pair of sneakers. This time, it's the iconic clean look of a pair of Lacoste L34s (white leather, milk/claret colour scheme). Was earlier thinking about the pure white/navy colour but it looked too much like Bata Badminton Masters or BM2000s so I skipped that. I had planned to get one of these for a while as I lacked a pair of sneaks that are low cut flats.

Finally, I ordered this a while back and was surprised it came yesterday. What a pleasant surprise it was! Now I can choose to wear this or sell it for some profit. Hmmm do I want Aki Hoshino on me? Hmmm...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Vulcain of 2007

2007-09-03T08:56:00.000+08:00

Dropped by at Hang Thai, Bangsar Village, where they are showcasing the latest Vulcain pieces at their outlet.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Seiko resistance is futile...

2007-09-01T01:58:00.000+08:00

After seeing it on the Seiko/Citizen forum and seeing it in the flesh, I simply could not resist this RM400 gem. This is the Seiko SNKF07K. The piece is quite hard to find in KL and some places are charging really high prices for it. There's also a blue version on a well made bracelet.

Updated with more photos...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

M.A.C Smoke Signals Fall 2007 Collection Launch

2007-09-01T00:59:00.000+08:00

At Midvalley Megamall on 29 August 2007. It was a fun and exciting event to attend. Lots of beautiful people and celebrities in attendance plus I got to catch up with some acquaintances. Click on the photos below for the full gallery.

The backstage was quite hectic...

Also, the M.A.C retail outlet was bustling as well...

Met up with the affable Jazz chanteuse/goddess, Noryn Aziz...

DJ was rocking...

As the people partied...

Spot the celebs. The gorgeous former Ms Malaysia, Emmeline Ng...

Can we say, Ho Chak!?

Daniel of MI...

Cheryl Samad...

Reta with Wong Sze Zen (another gorgeous former Ms Malaysia)

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Fulfilling Photomarathonasia

2007-08-27T10:35:00.000+08:00

It was a long and tiring Sunday for Photomarathon Asia (the Malaysian edition). 9 hours of shooting and a few more of waiting for the results. The skies were brilliant but the sun was unrelenting! There were 3 themes for the day; Malaysia Leads, Lunch Break and Abandoned Lot. I am tired but also glad I won a Merit prize for the 3rd theme.

The photo that won me the prize...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

The poor soul was passed out on the street and I wanted to take a shot of him while preserving his dignity but not showing his face. Also needed to show an aspect of someone abandoned by society in an unmistakable environment. The person was passed out. Incapacitated.

Glashutte Original's offering for Malaysia's 50th Anniversary

2007-08-26T00:47:00.000+08:00

Glashutte Original Malaysia Merdeka 50th Anniversary special porcelain Meissen dials - viewing at the GO Boutique in Starhill. My thanks to Royz, GO Boutique Manager in Starhill, Kuala Lumpur, for graciously allowing me to photograph these special Senators with porcelain Meissen dials depicting old style maps of Malaysia/Malaya to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our country's independence. It is interesting to note the differences in all the pieces in their map details making each piece truly unique.

There are 5 pieces of each; Platinum, Pink Gold, White Gold, Pink Gold with diamonds and White Gold with diamonds.

Click on the photo below for the full report.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Raoul Party Of The Year 2007

2007-08-25T12:17:00.000+08:00

'Twas indeed an AMAZING event with lots of friends and beautiful people :) The food was great! The music was thumping! Tons of celebrities! I look forward to the next one.

I was lucky to be a part of it. Check it out by clicking on the photo below.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Ulysse Nardin Merdeka 50th Anniversary Presentation

2007-08-21T10:19:00.000+08:00

Ulysse Nardin presents a gorgeous version of the 1846 Marine Chronometer for the 50th Anniversary of our country's independence.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Check out the New Balance 574 Vegas!

2007-08-20T10:33:00.001+08:00

Put up a bunch of photos of my new NB 574 acquisition at Streetthing's forum...

I got the Black Dice one!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Omega 1957 Speedmaster 50th Anniversary

2007-08-20T09:50:00.000+08:00

A glimpse of the launch of the 50th anniversary pieces from Omega to commemorate the golden jubilee of the Speedmaster.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

The Iconic Casio G-Shock Mudman G9000-1V

2007-07-28T23:27:00.000+08:00

In reference to an earlier post, I got a great low offer for the price of this one so I grabbed it without much thought (though I was earlier looking at the Toyota 4x4 LE version). Nevertheless, this Mudman is most representative of all that's tough in a G-Shock. It also has 200 water resistance and mud resistance. Possible the 2nd most famous and sought after G-Shock after the Frogman.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Wearing Etro

2007-07-12T10:24:00.001+08:00

Got another Etro shirt today from Wondermomo. While Etro is most famous for their metro paisley designs, these are some of their more conservative dress shirts. Good for regular office use. The flying horse (Pegasus) logo is cool.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Omega De Ville Hour Vision Launch In KL

2007-07-11T10:17:00.000+08:00

An amazing piece witnessed at its launch in the boutique last night... check it out at The Purists! Click on the photo below...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Chopard Gathering 2007

2007-07-07T09:17:00.000+08:00

Chopard Dinner I attended last night. Read the full report after clicking on the photo below...

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

The WEBBLE

2007-07-06T12:45:00.000+08:00

Skateboarding in the office? Missing that batu giling? Bring fun to the office floor! Your friends will hog your cubicle for...

Check out the crazy Webble. No indications of price yet.

New Balance 574 White Dragon LE

2007-07-06T09:41:00.000+08:00

I got wind of the limited edition NB 574 Dragons from Streetthing a few weeks ago. After reading up on them, I found out that the Dragons are a range of LE sneakers from NB. The ones that got the most attention were the Hungry Dragons. Anyway, apart from the Hungry Dragons, NB also produced the White and Red Dragons. The White ones were very much designed in the East (hence the Chinese lettering of NB at the back of the shoes). I then chanced upon the White Dragons at the local NB store and decided to get them. Notice the dragon only being embroidered on the left shoe to give it an asymmetric look.

Click on the thumbs to view the large photos.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

JEANRICHARD and MV Agusta together

2007-07-04T10:18:00.000+08:00

Was at Fukuya the night before last for the launch of JEANRICHARD's wristwatch homage to MV Agusta with the MV75 World Champion watch. Click on the photo below for the link to the full report I posted at Horomundi.

Also some photos of the food...

Appetizer platter

Japanese scallop

Teppan salmon

Ocha ice cream with strawberries

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Another Tiger

2007-06-30T23:13:00.000+08:00

Click on the photos for the large versions. This is my 2nd pair of Onitsuka Tiger from Asics. My first one here.

OTs are similar in design to the original OT/Asics shoes worn in the past by Japanese athletes. While they lack the technical innovations of their Asics counterparts (like the super Gel Kayano and Gel Kinsei), they are definitely comfortable. The padding is spartan but the quality is high (even though nowadays they are made in China). All OT designs are limited in number. I must say that OTs are addictive and I will be looking to add more to my collection! The model that I got today is the Fencing LA.

Anyway have a look!

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

RSVP At Marketplace

2007-06-30T02:07:00.000+08:00

Ok this month's KLue RSVP event was at Marketplace at Lrg Yap Kwan Seng. It was in the shadow of the tallest twins in Malaysia.

I was joined by two beautiful ladies, Pinkpau and Kimfluttersby.

We observed that the place had a very plain setup but looks much better when the lights are dimmed .

The free flowing Martell cocktails were welcome in the blistering residual heat of the day.

As with other RSVP events, the sexy Martell girls went around taking polaroids of guests. It was a cute way of letting us literally keep a piece of the evening.

Anyway we started off with an interesting appetizer... Amuse Bouche. It was a pleasant piece but I tasted neither goat cheese nor strawberries. Instead, apart from the watermelon, I thought the top was made with red bell peppers.

The next item on the menu, Mushroom Soup with Vanilla Cream.

We also asked for some balsamic vinegar and olive oil to go with our bread.

My main course was cod with wasabi mash. It was nicely done and I enjoyed the dish very much. However, I wish the wasabi flavour in the mash was more than just subtle. I like my wasabi to kick me in the nose.

Both Su Ann and Kim had the beef tenderloin. Quite a generous portion...

There were also salmon and pasta aglio olio as the remaining choices. We waited for dessert...

And it didn't take long. The cosmetics of the dessert could have been better but the chocolate mousse was delicious and I enjoyed the sourness of the passion fruit syrup which cut through the sweetness of the mousse.

Then a surprise entrance by a musician... I truly enjoyed the virtuoso performance of the saxophonist!

All in all, a fine evening with great company and good food.

Copyright (c) Kelvin Tan

Tag Heuer Grand Carrera

2007-06-29T15:32:00.000+08:00

New from Tag Heuer! I found these designs and innovations to be attractive. Pictures are from Horomundi so credit to them for this launching news. Click on them to go direct to the press release at the Horomundi fora.

Calibre 6 - time only

Calibre 8 - GMT

Calibre 17 - chronograph