Monday, April 30
Saturday, April 28
Ash - May You Find Joy and Happiness!
Since we're on the subject of beauty and in accord with this week's festive mood (wedding of the year!) in India, allow me the indulgence of mentioning Aishwarya Rai!
Aishwarya Rai is easily the most well-known actress to ever emerge from India’s Bollywood scene. She is a veteran of about 50 films since her 1997 debut. Aishwarya (or Ash as she is fondly known) has won heaps of accolades and awards for her work.
She is the former 1994 Miss World title holder, and 60 Minutes claimed that she has “The Most Beautiful Face in the World.
Aishwarya Rai may not be so well known outside of Asia, but it's only a matter of time (she was in 'Bride and Prejudice', watch out for 'Legion' this year!) before India's jewel becomes the whole world's darling.She is the former 1994 Miss World title holder, and 60 Minutes claimed that she has “The Most Beautiful Face in the World.
Before being crowned Miss World in 1994, Ash had previously done some modeling, and became well known in India after appearing in an ad for Pepsi. Since winning the Miss World title, she has become one of the most popular stars of India's huge film industry known as Bollywood.
Aishwarya Rai was born in Mangalore, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, on November 1st, 1973. Her father, a merchant navy officer, relocated the family to Mumbai (formerly Bombay) when Aishwarya was four years old. She excelled at academics as a child and chose science as her area of concentration, hoping for a career in medicine (zoology being her favorite subject at the time).
...Brains & Beauty
Her beauty and grace have taken her to the top as a model, actress and general superstar in India and other Asian countries. She's almost considered a saint back home: During a trip to an orphanage, a child remarked that the warmth of her kindness was more radiant than her beauty.
Aishwarya's beauty is subtle and understated. This 5'7" stunner claims she doesn't need to diet to maintain her physique. Her full, luscious lips, curves and ultra-feminine mannerisms give her
top marks in the physical beauty category.
top marks in the physical beauty category.
This stunning specimen is a prime example of unadorned, 100% natural beauty.
She relies on little or no makeup, and hasn't dyed her hair a lighter shade to feel more attractive. Aishwarya possesses breathtakingly delicate features and is known for her spectacular blue-green eyes (that sometimes take on a blue-gray shade). Her long, raven hair and
inviting, warm smile make her all the more irresistible. It's no mystery to us why she is a former Miss World.
She relies on little or no makeup, and hasn't dyed her hair a lighter shade to feel more attractive. Aishwarya possesses breathtakingly delicate features and is known for her spectacular blue-green eyes (that sometimes take on a blue-gray shade). Her long, raven hair and
inviting, warm smile make her all the more irresistible. It's no mystery to us why she is a former Miss World.
Ash's personal taste in fashion fluctuates from form-fitting gowns when she needs something formal, to jeans and a T-shirt when she wants to go casual. She likes to keep things simple: Ash doesn't like anything too "fussy and frilly" as she puts it, and as far as favorite colors go,
she loves basic black.
she loves basic black.
A bright woman, she considered a career in medicine and opted instead for architecture, until modeling and winning beauty pageants got in the way of her studies. She speaks a number of
languages, including English, Hindi, Kannada, and a bit of Tamil.
Aishwarya entered the world of modeling when she was in the 9th grade.
languages, including English, Hindi, Kannada, and a bit of Tamil.
Aishwarya entered the world of modeling when she was in the 9th grade.
...Taking the world by storm
Initially, she modeled part-time, while focusing on her studies. As more assignments started rolling in, Ash decided to take a break from architecture and concentrate on modeling.
Aishwarya became well known in India after she appeared in a Pepsi commercial. Other high-profile assignments quickly followed, including Palmolive, Casio, Philips. What started off as a part-time activity quickly grew into a full-fledged career, as more companies hired the young beauty with the magnificent blue-green (and sometimes blue-gray) eyes.
In 1991, at the age of seventeen, Aishwarya was coaxed into entering the prestigious Ford Supermodel Contest by a friend. To her amazement, she won, and also took the Tulips Miss Super Vivacious prize, which was part of the same contest. Ash was spotted by famous photographer Steven Meisel, and was soon featured in Vogue magazine.
Bollywood, the massive Indian film industry, quickly came calling, and she made her first film appearance in Mamagaru that same year.
Initially rejecting subsequent film offers, Ash still hoped to finish her studies as an architect, and be with her family. But her career plans were forever altered when she entered the Miss Femina World contest in 1994. When the 20-year-old became the first runner-up, and was tipped to take the title at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Sun City, South Africa. She was crowned Miss World in 1994, was named Miss Catwalk, and was selected as having the Most Photogenic Face by the pageant's judges.
Bollywood, the massive Indian film industry, quickly came calling, and she made her first film appearance in Mamagaru that same year.
Initially rejecting subsequent film offers, Ash still hoped to finish her studies as an architect, and be with her family. But her career plans were forever altered when she entered the Miss Femina World contest in 1994. When the 20-year-old became the first runner-up, and was tipped to take the title at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Sun City, South Africa. She was crowned Miss World in 1994, was named Miss Catwalk, and was selected as having the Most Photogenic Face by the pageant's judges.
...Queen of Bollywood
Although she had little acting experience, she won over the critics and audiences alike in 1997's Iruvar (a.k.a. The Duo). For her role as Aishi in 1997's ...Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Aishu (another one of her nicknames) picked up India's Screen Best Female Debut award. In 1998, she took on the dual role of Madhumitha/Vaishnavi in Jeans, which also won the actress critical praise and much adoration.
Since successfully crossing over into the Indian film industry in the second half of the '90s, Aishu (her other nickname) has appeared in almost two dozen films over a six-year period, making her a more prolific actress than most Western movie stars. In her native land, she was chosen as India's Screen Best Female Newcomer for 1997. She followed that up by winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1999's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and Screen Weekly's Best
Actress in 2000.
In 2000, she starred as Meenakshi in Kandukondain Kandukondain (a.k.a. I Have Found It). That same year, she appeared in Mohabbatein (a.k.a. Love Stories) and won rave reviews for her performance as Preeti, a rape victim, in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. She was selected as Screen Weekly's Best Actress for 2000
Her modeling career hasn't completely been eclipsed by her screen success; she became the international ambassador/spokeswoman for Longines watches in 1999.
Actress in 2000.
In 2000, she starred as Meenakshi in Kandukondain Kandukondain (a.k.a. I Have Found It). That same year, she appeared in Mohabbatein (a.k.a. Love Stories) and won rave reviews for her performance as Preeti, a rape victim, in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai. She was selected as Screen Weekly's Best Actress for 2000
Her modeling career hasn't completely been eclipsed by her screen success; she became the international ambassador/spokeswoman for Longines watches in 1999.
...In her words
"Life will take its toll on all of us. We get injured, we get old. It's really sad to try to run away from these harsh realities of life. Looks are not everything. I am not going to look beautiful all the time."
...My Fave Ash Movie - Hum Dil De Chuke
Plot Synopsis
Romantic misunderstandings, unrequited love, and the gap between two very different cultures provide the backdrop for this romantic musical drama from India. Sameer (Salman Khan) is a gifted singer from Europe who has come to New Delhi to study Indian vocal techniques with Pandit Darbar. Darbar's beautiful daughter Nandini (Aishwarya Rai) makes a strong impression on Sameer, and soon he's head over heels in love. But everyone advises Sameer to stay away from the girl, and Nandini is set up in a marriage with Vanraj (Ajay Devgan), a successful lawyer. But Nandini isn't happy with her new husband, and Vanraj soon finds evidence that his wife has been corresponding with Sameer, who has since returned to Europe. A jealous Vanraj packs his bags and sets out to find the singer, wanting to know the nature of the relationship between him and Nandini. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was a major box-office success in India, and was enthusiastically received in screenings at the 2000 Vancouver Film Festival and 2000 Seattle Film Festival.
Source: http://www.aishwarya-forever.com/multi.html, www.askmen.com
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Sunday, April 22
MSU 2007
Who do the girls think is their biggest competitor?
"Jessica. She has the composure and the elegance that is required of a beauty queen and I'll be very proud of her if she represents Singapore." - Fang Yu Ying 
Jessica Tan
"Jessica. She has the elegance and confidence of a beauty queen and she looks perfect at every angle. She is beautiful inside too." - Adlina Adil
"Christabel. She has the height and a performing background, so she is more confident and exposed (to being in the limelight)." - Judy Lee
Just finished viewing the MSU 2007 finals. And my sister and I thought that this year's results were rather predictable. Hot faves Jessica, Christabel, and Joey won the top spots, no surprises there actually.
I must say that Jessica has got the looks to have what it takes to make it. I mean, even the rest of the contestants thought so (see above). I would dare to say that she'll probably be the one to go the furthest in this year's Miss Universe.
However, I was rather disappointed that Christabel wasn't the one to be crowned. Sigh...after all, this IS a beauty contest and despite her being a natural on screen. In my opinion, she has the wits, personality and the smarts.
I must say that Jessica has got the looks to have what it takes to make it. I mean, even the rest of the contestants thought so (see above). I would dare to say that she'll probably be the one to go the furthest in this year's Miss Universe.
However, I was rather disappointed that Christabel wasn't the one to be crowned. Sigh...after all, this IS a beauty contest and despite her being a natural on screen. In my opinion, she has the wits, personality and the smarts.
Another fave of mine, Joey, has got the cutesy looks. Her answers were pretty good too. Smartly avoiding the question and giving a different answer unlike the others.
Here's a short bio on our top 3
Miss Singapore Universe 2007
Winner
Name: Jessica Tan
Age: 24
Occupation: Flight Stewardess
Hobbies: Baking, cooking, computer games, supermarket shopping, drawing
Motto in life: “Live life to the fullest and bring smiles to other people’s lives”
>>>
Runner-up
Name: Joey Feng
Age: 22
Occupation: Undergraduate
Hobbies: Playing netball, jogging, sun tanning and hanging out with friends.
Motto in life: “Live life to the fullest and dare to dream because dreams do come true”
"I do NOT have Angelina Jolie's body so I've got to start working hard right now to build up the abs to flaunt my body on stage." - Joey Feng on her thoughts abt the Swimsuit Segment
>>>
2nd runner-up
Name: Christabel Campbell
Age: 19
Occupation: Student
Hobbies: Creative writing, traveling (“I have an intense curiosity in what is out there beyond the comfort of home.”) and music
Motto in life: “We are blessed to bless”
 |
| Christabel Campell |
"It may. As a journalist, I have a day to edit my work. Q&A is more of on-the-spot thinking, and it really puts you on the spot...but it helps me to use my language to buy time." - Christabel on whether her journalism background will help her in the Q&A segment.
Source: http://ch5.mediacorptv.com/wassup/hotpicks/view/835/1/.html
Friday, April 20
Tuesday, April 17
Miss Singapore Universe (MSU)
My thoughts on Miss Singapore Universe Pageant
- Most of the contestants are bad representations of an English-speaking country.
- Most are bad public speakers.
- Where's the poise and grace?
Every year, while I was overseas (for the past 5 years), at this time, I wld keep an eye on local events (namely the MSU). I would ask for '8 Days' and clips abt the MSU to be sent to me.
Of course, the first impression me and my pals (which, btw are girls) can get is from that one -page photo expose of the contestants.
That wld be our first peek on how that year's MSU might turn out. AND every year we all unanimously say the same thing "...aiyo why this year like that again?" or something to that extent.
Of course, the first impression me and my pals (which, btw are girls) can get is from that one -page photo expose of the contestants.
That wld be our first peek on how that year's MSU might turn out. AND every year we all unanimously say the same thing "...aiyo why this year like that again?" or something to that extent.
Hmm, wonder if the judges forgot their glasses and hearing aids 'tikam-tikam boh tiok'!
Pity, for the longest time, no Indians won (u know how i love Ash Rai rite?!) and I digress...
Click here to see this year's contestants
To call them pretty, can lah.. to call them erm, beautiful also can lah.. but to have them compete in an international BEAUTY pagent is a total wrong move!!!! Most of them are not beautiful enuf to even compete against our neighbour’s representative.. not even once in S'pore’s history of pageants. Itz not that we do not have beautiful women on this tiny island...we do! BUT where are they?!
On an empirical level, we all know that the Miss Singapore Universe organisers have a propensity to crown slit-eyed manjens who can’t differentiate between their Rs and Ls. Beauty may be subjective. But year in, year out, the contestants seem to be sub-standard cookie-cutter girls, who won't even get pass the first round in the real Miss Universe contest.
Having 3 or 10 judges is inarbitrary, because we all know which ‘juggernaut’community will win. Attempts at focusing on brains and intellect is evidently contrived, affected and overrated.
high qualifications, but lousy answers.
Most dun even answer the question.
Qn: “what do you think of the notion that local men are not as attractive as foreign men?”
Ans(1): “………erm, but i tink, be it local or foreign men, they just don’t get it!”
Ans(2): I dated short & plump guys…..blah, bblah, blah..”
(hu wants to noe hu they dated? dah lak buruk, buta lak tu!)*pfft!*
ok, i digressed…again.
Sadly, beauty competitions are not considered to be a waste of time as it is a good money-making machine that will never die. Think of the acting opportunities, sponsorship - advertising, a start to tat climb to fame...
People and media shouldn’t inflict this irritating notion that being beautiful is good and being not beautiful is as good as ugly especially to ourselves, let alone the young.
Beauty is subjective to a person. Therefore beauty exists, just not in every contestant in Miss Singapore Universe.
As for my own personal view, I hope that beauty pageants be scrapped.
Sunday, April 15
Watches - A quick intro to the world of watches
I've always had an interest in watches...but of late, I've been particularly interested in the world of luxury watches...all thanks to Yvie, and Nat, one bot a Breitling watch, and the other, manages the brands of some fine watches
Well, for those who have the same interest as me, here's a quick primer on watches
There are many myths and misunderstandings about watches. This guide will help to dispel some of these frequent myths and help empower you, the buyer, to make an informed decision before you purchase your next timepiece.
Even though Helen Hunt is technically hot - fit, blond, rich - you wouldn’t really respect any man that said that she was his dream woman.
The same goes for watches. There are many seemingly good brands to the untrained eye, but for watch fanatics there are certain models that are the Jessica Albas (the cream of the crop), others that are the Sienna Millers (promising and up-and-coming) and more still that are the Paris
Hiltons (overrated). So take note of the brands below.
There are great watches that have made their way into mainstream culture,
such as Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Chopard, Jaeger-Le Coultre, and Ulysse Nardin to name a few. Then there are those brands that are unanimously respected solely within the watch community -- for example, IWC and Franck Muller. IWC (the International Watch Company, not the International Whaling Commission) is the only watch company in Eastern
Switzerland and is renowned for the elegance and engineering found in its “Flieger,”; “Portugieser” and “Aquatimer” lines. Franck Muller on the hand, is a watchmaker who is greatly admired for his intricately complex timepieces, including “Revolution 2,” “Revolution 3,” “Crazy
Hours,” and “Color Dreams.”
Unlike the sometimes disturbingly young up-and-comers in Hollywood, watch
companies that are on the rise can be well over 100 years old. For example, the Italian luxury watch brand Panerai was founded in 1860, but is only now becoming a favorite with watch lovers on the strength of its “Radiomir” and “Luminor” series.
In contrast to the older Panerai, Oris is a young, nubile trendsetter that started in
1904. Most well known for attaining one of the highest quality ratings in the history of the COSC (we'll tell you what that acronym denotes later), Oris recently gained recognition for becoming the official watch of the BMW Williams Formula 1 team.beware the watchdogs
that clams were great watches. Many aficionados feel that that’s how Tag Heuer and Movado have powered their image as elite watchmakers. Not saying they make bad watches, they do have some fine models, u juz haf to do your research and sieve out the Jessicas from the Paris'.
Chided by many watch lovers as grossly overrated, the recognition these companies reap is usually attributed to their marketing campaigns: Tag having paid massive sums to have the likes of Tiger Woods to sport their line, and Movado having glossed over the astronomical price tag
of their quartz watches with glitzy ad campaigns.
imperative that visitors to the realm of luxury watches arm themselves
with the terms and lingo needed to communicate. Here is some crucial terminology you need to know.
“graph” -- don’t worry; all chronograph refers to is a type of watch that has both timekeeping and stopwatch functions. What you will need to look out for are the different types of chronographs available, namely analog chronographs (the old style with separate hands) and
digital chronographs (those watches with electronic displays that no aficionado would be caught dead wearing).
“perpetually boring,” be sure to remember that perpetual calendar refers to watches that display dates, but do not need to be adjusted to accommodate a change in months.
Universe Pageant, watchmakers have their products approved by the COSC,
or Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (the acronym represents
the French name); to show they are of good quality. Though it isn’t
required, big-name watchmakers pride themselves on having the COSC test
their products for 15 days, in five positions and at three different
temperatures to receive a unique serial number (whose digits correspond
to the quality of the timepiece) and the right to officially call their
watch a chronometer.
The largest watch company in the world, the Swatch Group houses some of the most famous, but not necessarily reputable, watch brands on the planet, including Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Jaquet-Droz Even if you’ve managed to talk the talk and name-drop some reputable brands,
there are certain remarks that can forever damage your budding reputation as a man capable of appreciating luxury watches. Here are some key ones to avoid.
you need to understand is that Rolexes are revered among watch lovers in the same way that BMWs are revered among car enthusiasts: Great cars, but can still be outdone by Mercedes and Porsche.
moisture are incapable of entering the casing. But asking if a watch is “waterproof” implies that you’re looking for a timepiece that you can use for swimming, scuba diving or water-balloon fights (i.e. activities not appropriate for watches designed to fit an upscale style).
Because he's the one asking the questions he seems informed on most topics. Well, the same dynamic works for watches; specifically, if you’re able to ask questions that get watch aficionados debating amongst themselves, you can simply stand back and be recognized as an
individual well versed in the trade. Here are some questions that will turn the focus away from you and get you props at the same time.
1) What is your position on the current standards for the “Swiss made” label? (At the moment, to be considered “Swiss made” a watch needs to have 50% of its components from Switzerland, while the watch’s motor and casing needs to be assembled in the country.)
2) Vertical distribution (selling watches through retailers) has been all well and
good, but how do you feel about these new boutique shops?
3) Are tourbillions (watches with a rotating mechanism that deters gravity from affecting timekeeping) really worth the price?
4) Which is a superior winding system (the self-powered engine that is
installed in most watches), the unidirectional or the bidirectional?
Compared to women, men have very few options when it comes to accessories that exude personality (and no, glow sticks don’t count). After all, the fairer sex has shoes, purses, jewelry, and, in some cases, even small dogs to enhance the kind of image they aspire to project. Because of this limitation on males, watches have taken on new importance; they allow image-conscious men to convey an appreciation for engineering, style and status. So if elevating your appearance is a personal goal, internalise the watch primer outlined above and be sure to take
advantage of one of the few ways to make an impatient glance at the time a fashionable one.
***
Some myths exposed...
Rolex makes the world's best watches.
Wrong. Rolex makes superior watches and is credited with several important innovations but that doesn't mean it makes the world's best watches. Rolex may be the best known luxury brand but Patek Phillipe is widely considered by experts to be the industry's premium watchmaker.
Sometimes Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are mentioned in the same breath as Patek Phillipe.
Next to Rolex, Tag Heuer makes the world's best watches.
Wrong. Tag Heuer make watches that cover a wide range of budgets. Most Tags are mass produced quartz pieces with unexceptional movements. Many Tags are more noted for their jewelery than their fit and finish. Tag does make some very fine, high-end models but you need to do your research.
An expensive watch keeps better time than an inexpensive watch.
Wrong. A $20 Timex will probably keep better time than a $2,000 Omega.
The reason for this is that most watches under $500 use Quartz movements, which are cheap to produce and are highly accurate. Mechanical movements, usually the domain of more premium watches, are inherently more complicated and expensive to produce and will not tell
better time than a Quartz watch. In addition, you will pay more for a watch often because of its value as a piece of jewelery.
A Swiss-made watch means the watch is completely made in Switzerland.
Wrong. According to Swiss law, a Swiss-made watch means that at least
50% of the parts are Swiss made and that the assembly, finishing, and final inspection occurs in Switzerland.
The more jewels in a watch movement, the better.
Wrong. A standard watch movement requires 17 or 18 jewels but more than
that doesn't mean it is better. Two watches with identical performance
may contain a different number of jewels. The jewels themselves are
synthetic and are not valuable in anyway except to aid a timepiece's
movement.
It's easy to tell if a watch is counterfeit or fake.
Wrong. It's increasingly difficult to tell if a watch is fake or not.
The generic fakes sold on the streets of New York are fairly obvious
fakes but there are sophisticated syndicates operating in Japan and
Switzerland that make virtually identical reproductions, including such
things as the manufacturer's logo and serial numbers.
The Omega Speedmaster is NASA's only official watch.
Wrong.
On July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster became the first and only watch
worn on the moon. However, in addition to the Omega Speedmaster
Professional, NASA's official permissable watches are the Omega
Speedmaster X-33, the Casio G-Shock, and Timex Ironman watches.
***
This guide has been adapted from an article by Swiss Watch Boutique, specialising in fine Swiss watches at wholesale prices.
Well, for those who have the same interest as me, here's a quick primer on watches
There are many myths and misunderstandings about watches. This guide will help to dispel some of these frequent myths and help empower you, the buyer, to make an informed decision before you purchase your next timepiece.
brands worth brandishing
Even though Helen Hunt is technically hot - fit, blond, rich - you wouldn’t really respect any man that said that she was his dream woman.
The same goes for watches. There are many seemingly good brands to the untrained eye, but for watch fanatics there are certain models that are the Jessica Albas (the cream of the crop), others that are the Sienna Millers (promising and up-and-coming) and more still that are the Paris
Hiltons (overrated). So take note of the brands below.
Good: IWC and Franck Muller
There are great watches that have made their way into mainstream culture,
such as Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Chopard, Jaeger-Le Coultre, and Ulysse Nardin to name a few. Then there are those brands that are unanimously respected solely within the watch community -- for example, IWC and Franck Muller. IWC (the International Watch Company, not the International Whaling Commission) is the only watch company in Eastern
Switzerland and is renowned for the elegance and engineering found in its “Flieger,”; “Portugieser” and “Aquatimer” lines. Franck Muller on the hand, is a watchmaker who is greatly admired for his intricately complex timepieces, including “Revolution 2,” “Revolution 3,” “Crazy
Hours,” and “Color Dreams.”
Up-and-coming: Panerai and Oris
Unlike the sometimes disturbingly young up-and-comers in Hollywood, watch
companies that are on the rise can be well over 100 years old. For example, the Italian luxury watch brand Panerai was founded in 1860, but is only now becoming a favorite with watch lovers on the strength of its “Radiomir” and “Luminor” series.
In contrast to the older Panerai, Oris is a young, nubile trendsetter that started in
1904. Most well known for attaining one of the highest quality ratings in the history of the COSC (we'll tell you what that acronym denotes later), Oris recently gained recognition for becoming the official watch of the BMW Williams Formula 1 team.beware the watchdogs
Overrated: Tag Heuer and Movado
If you spent enough money, you could probably get plenty of people to thinkthat clams were great watches. Many aficionados feel that that’s how Tag Heuer and Movado have powered their image as elite watchmakers. Not saying they make bad watches, they do have some fine models, u juz haf to do your research and sieve out the Jessicas from the Paris'.
Chided by many watch lovers as grossly overrated, the recognition these companies reap is usually attributed to their marketing campaigns: Tag having paid massive sums to have the likes of Tiger Woods to sport their line, and Movado having glossed over the astronomical price tag
of their quartz watches with glitzy ad campaigns.
watch the lingo
Anyone who has seen Back to the Future knows that time keeping is a tricky process that requires a whole world of jargon to explain its inner workings. With this in mind, it isimperative that visitors to the realm of luxury watches arm themselves
with the terms and lingo needed to communicate. Here is some crucial terminology you need to know.
Chronograph
Even though this term is a combination of two small intimidating words -- “chrono” and“graph” -- don’t worry; all chronograph refers to is a type of watch that has both timekeeping and stopwatch functions. What you will need to look out for are the different types of chronographs available, namely analog chronographs (the old style with separate hands) and
digital chronographs (those watches with electronic displays that no aficionado would be caught dead wearing).
Perpetual calendar
Though you could consider an hour-long conversation about watches to be“perpetually boring,” be sure to remember that perpetual calendar refers to watches that display dates, but do not need to be adjusted to accommodate a change in months.
COSC
In the same way that the pharmaceutical industry has the FDA and women have the MissUniverse Pageant, watchmakers have their products approved by the COSC,
or Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (the acronym represents
the French name); to show they are of good quality. Though it isn’t
required, big-name watchmakers pride themselves on having the COSC test
their products for 15 days, in five positions and at three different
temperatures to receive a unique serial number (whose digits correspond
to the quality of the timepiece) and the right to officially call their
watch a chronometer.
The Swatch Group
The largest watch company in the world, the Swatch Group houses some of the most famous, but not necessarily reputable, watch brands on the planet, including Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Jaquet-Droz Even if you’ve managed to talk the talk and name-drop some reputable brands,
there are certain remarks that can forever damage your budding reputation as a man capable of appreciating luxury watches. Here are some key ones to avoid.
“Rolex is the best.”
We don't want to give you the wrong impression: Rolexes are great watches. But whatyou need to understand is that Rolexes are revered among watch lovers in the same way that BMWs are revered among car enthusiasts: Great cars, but can still be outdone by Mercedes and Porsche.
"Is it waterproof?”
Luxury watches do promote themselves as being “water resistant” -- meaning that water andmoisture are incapable of entering the casing. But asking if a watch is “waterproof” implies that you’re looking for a timepiece that you can use for swimming, scuba diving or water-balloon fights (i.e. activities not appropriate for watches designed to fit an upscale style).
“Does the watch light up at night?”
In a similar fashion to the "waterproof" faux pas, this question connotes that you are looking for a watch that helps you coordinate a 3 a.m. ice-cream binge, not one that will accent your Armani suit.questions that show consideration
Did you know that a lot of game hosts doesn’t actually know all the answers on those shows?Because he's the one asking the questions he seems informed on most topics. Well, the same dynamic works for watches; specifically, if you’re able to ask questions that get watch aficionados debating amongst themselves, you can simply stand back and be recognized as an
individual well versed in the trade. Here are some questions that will turn the focus away from you and get you props at the same time.
1) What is your position on the current standards for the “Swiss made” label? (At the moment, to be considered “Swiss made” a watch needs to have 50% of its components from Switzerland, while the watch’s motor and casing needs to be assembled in the country.)
2) Vertical distribution (selling watches through retailers) has been all well and
good, but how do you feel about these new boutique shops?
3) Are tourbillions (watches with a rotating mechanism that deters gravity from affecting timekeeping) really worth the price?
4) Which is a superior winding system (the self-powered engine that is
installed in most watches), the unidirectional or the bidirectional?
it’s okay to watch
Compared to women, men have very few options when it comes to accessories that exude personality (and no, glow sticks don’t count). After all, the fairer sex has shoes, purses, jewelry, and, in some cases, even small dogs to enhance the kind of image they aspire to project. Because of this limitation on males, watches have taken on new importance; they allow image-conscious men to convey an appreciation for engineering, style and status. So if elevating your appearance is a personal goal, internalise the watch primer outlined above and be sure to take
advantage of one of the few ways to make an impatient glance at the time a fashionable one.
***
Some myths exposed...
Rolex makes the world's best watches.
Wrong. Rolex makes superior watches and is credited with several important innovations but that doesn't mean it makes the world's best watches. Rolex may be the best known luxury brand but Patek Phillipe is widely considered by experts to be the industry's premium watchmaker.
Sometimes Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin are mentioned in the same breath as Patek Phillipe.
Next to Rolex, Tag Heuer makes the world's best watches.
Wrong. Tag Heuer make watches that cover a wide range of budgets. Most Tags are mass produced quartz pieces with unexceptional movements. Many Tags are more noted for their jewelery than their fit and finish. Tag does make some very fine, high-end models but you need to do your research.
An expensive watch keeps better time than an inexpensive watch.
Wrong. A $20 Timex will probably keep better time than a $2,000 Omega.
The reason for this is that most watches under $500 use Quartz movements, which are cheap to produce and are highly accurate. Mechanical movements, usually the domain of more premium watches, are inherently more complicated and expensive to produce and will not tell
better time than a Quartz watch. In addition, you will pay more for a watch often because of its value as a piece of jewelery.
A Swiss-made watch means the watch is completely made in Switzerland.
Wrong. According to Swiss law, a Swiss-made watch means that at least
50% of the parts are Swiss made and that the assembly, finishing, and final inspection occurs in Switzerland.
The more jewels in a watch movement, the better.
Wrong. A standard watch movement requires 17 or 18 jewels but more than
that doesn't mean it is better. Two watches with identical performance
may contain a different number of jewels. The jewels themselves are
synthetic and are not valuable in anyway except to aid a timepiece's
movement.
It's easy to tell if a watch is counterfeit or fake.
Wrong. It's increasingly difficult to tell if a watch is fake or not.
The generic fakes sold on the streets of New York are fairly obvious
fakes but there are sophisticated syndicates operating in Japan and
Switzerland that make virtually identical reproductions, including such
things as the manufacturer's logo and serial numbers.
The Omega Speedmaster is NASA's only official watch.
Wrong.
On July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster became the first and only watch
worn on the moon. However, in addition to the Omega Speedmaster
Professional, NASA's official permissable watches are the Omega
Speedmaster X-33, the Casio G-Shock, and Timex Ironman watches.
***
This guide has been adapted from an article by Swiss Watch Boutique, specialising in fine Swiss watches at wholesale prices.
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Friday, April 13
Rave of the week - Amy Winehouse
23 yearz old and de the owner of the coolest voice around, Amy Winehouse creates gritty, urban soul/jazz that is as seductive as it's punchy.
Born and raised on the urban sounds of London, Winehouse at times sounds like a '60s jazz singer - her voice fits in modestly with the modern grooves to which she gives a distinctly urban feel. But this vocal prodigy also has an amazing appreciation of dynamics. Boredom is non-existent in the music. The lyrics are frank, direct, and at times humorous. This girl knows how to write a song.
What is remarkable about Winehouse is how mature and diverse her vocal talents are. Her voice morphs so much on songs, it feels like a vocal multiple personality disorder.
At age 23, a perennial bad girl whose continuing travails with alcohol have followed her everywhere, Winehouse might be trouble, but her jazz and soul inflected 60s sound is exceptional. Already hailed in the UK with a Brit for Best Solo Female Artist, her sophomore effort Back to Black is destined fer greatness.
On the up-tempo opening track "Rehab" - reportedly about an incident in which her management suggested she check herself in resulting in Winehouse parting ways with them - she snarls out a refusal: “No, no, no”.
On "Just Friends," she softens her voice visibly when recalling the good times and steels it when lamenting about how her lover’s two-timing is sucking quality time out of their affair.
Arguably her best work is on the title track where she captures the cloudy desolation of a hasty jilting. “Life is like a pipe. And I’m a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside”. You can read the fading of hope in the lyrics and hear it in her voice.
In fact, love and heartache are very much on her mind. She mines themes of betrayal and loneliness in Tears dry on their own and Wake up alone, but effortlessly changes gears from foot-tapping R&B to jazz-inflected soul between the two tracks. Throughout the CD, you get the feeling Winehouse can take the hard knocks with the best of them. But a sense of doomsday prevails. You’re not sure if she is learning her lessons; that it’s only a matter of time before her next personal disaster. It’s a deliberate play brought about by how she responds audaciously and ambiguously to driving events in her work.
Aiyo, if Amy Winehouse doesn't break through to the big time, then there is something wrong with the industry (But seriously, dunno whether her music is the type the typical average Singaporean can appreciate...). Her unique combination of jazz, soul, coupled with her magnificent voice, is truly something of greatness.
Winehouse ends the album with "Addicted." Thatz a good word to describe what her songs did fer me.The bottom line: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Tuesday, April 10
Prepare for Glory! (A 300 Review)
"A new age has begun, an age of freedom. And all will know that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it." - Spartan King Leonidas
300 is a visual display of modern movie making, and a stunning looking film that makes up for every ounce of its lack of plot by painting a brilliantly beautiful image over every single frame of the film.
"We Spartans have descended from Hercules himself. Taught never to retreat, never to surrender. Taught that death in the battlefield is the greatest glory he could achieve in his life. Spartans: the finest soldiers the world has ever known." - Dilios (the narrator)
Basically "It’s about these 300 Greek dudes (300 Spartans +700 other Greeks) who stomp the sugar-coated shit out of like a million other dudes (actually abt 250, 000 Persians but u get the idea). "
The Phantom of the Opera's Gerard Butler as Leonidas, the king with no patience for the cowards and boy-lovers on the Greek council. This dude, Theron, a sleazy politician keen on stopping Leonidas from inciting war against the Persians denigrates the theory that the Persians intend to dominate the world and unleash their weapons of mass destruction, including mutant rhinos, elephants and a masked army called the Immortals. That leaves Leonidas no choice, but to round up 300 of his bravest bodyguards and embark on a doomed mission against the Persians. The king does everything to rally the troops. The trick is to bottle up the pesky Persians in a narrow mountain pass.
Went with a fren and we didn’t go in expecting Shakespeare or a history documentary, and we came out having watched a bloody, savage, completely engrossing fist fight of a movie.
If you like action, you’re going to love this movie. If you marvel at stunning visuals on film, you’re going to love this movie. If you have ever wanted to just get up and whoop some ass you will love this movie. You will find yourself living vicariously through these characters, and ready to fight an army of uncountable proportions when you walk out of the theater.
Bottom line: 3.5 out of 5 starsOne of my favourite bits abt the movie is the laconic quotes riddled thruout the movie, below are some of my favourites:
[last lines]
Dilios: Give thanks, my gallant and brave 300 - to victory!
Messenger: Why does this woman think she can speak amongst men?
Queen Gorgo: Because only Spartan women give birth to real men.
Spartan King Leonidas: Before this war is over, the world will know, a few stood against many.
Xerxes: Yours is a fascinating tribe. There is much our cultures could share.
Spartan King Leonidas: Perhaps you haven't noticed, but we've been sharing our culture with you all morning.
Spartan King Leonidas: Spartans! Prepare for glory!
Dilios: We did what we were trained to do, what we were bred to do, what we were born to do!
Dilios: The enemy outnumber us a paltry three to one, good odds for any Greek!
Queen Gorgo: Spartan. Come back with your shield... or on it.
Spartan King Leonidas: Yes milady.
Spartan King Leonidas: My heart is broken for your loss
Captain: Heart? I have filled my heart with hate
Spartan King Leonidas: Good
Spartan King Leonidas: [Turning towards the Spartans] Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: Harooh! Harooh! Harooh!
Spartan King Leonidas: See old friend, I brought more soldiers than you did.
[Dilios is putting a patch over his eye]
Spartan King Leonidas: Dilios, I trust that "scratch" hasn't made you useless.
Dilios: Hardly, my lord, it's just an eye. The gods saw fit to grace me with a spare.
Xerxes: Your Athenian rivals will kneel at your feet... if you but kneel at mine.
Spartan King Leonidas: That is quite an offer. I'd be crazy to refuse it. But this kneeling business... I'm afraid killing all those slaves of yours has left me with a nasty cramp in my leg.
Queen Gorgo: It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen SHOULD do, nor a husband, nor a king, instead ask yourself, my dearest love, what should a free man do.
Xerxes: Imagine what horrible fate awaits my enemies when I would gladly kill any of my own men for victory.
Spartan King Leonidas: And I would die for any of mine.
Xerxes: Consider the fate of your women.
Spartan King Leonidas: Clearly you don't know our women.
Spartan King Leonidas: The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and before this battle was over, that even a God-King can bleed.
Xerxes: Your women will be slaves...
Spartan King Leonidas: Have you seen our women? We might as well have marched them up here...
Persian Officer: Fools! Our arrows will blot out the sun.
Stelios: Then we will fight in the shade!
Spartan King Leonidas: This is where we hold them. This is where we fight. This is where they die.
Spartan King Leonidas: Give them nothing! But take from them everything!
Persian Officer: Spartans, lay down your weapons.
Spartan King Leonidas: Persians! Come and get them!
Persian Emissary: This is madness!
Spartan King Leonidas: Madness? This is Sparta!
More abt Spartans
Sunday, April 1
Nuts abt Donuts?!
Some of u might have seen that (ridiculously) long snake of a queue at Raffles City
The Place - Donut Factory
The Hype - I seriously dun noe!
Mayyyyyyyybe itz the attraction to a long queue that entices the Singaporean, I mean, Hullo! Kitty anyone? The parents queuing for pri school registrations, etc need I say more?
Seriously, if not fer my fren who was already queuing up for the donuts, I would never queue up (for 3 hours) for donuts! I spotted some people in the queue with chairs! Well, My fren and I certainly did not have any chairs. I joined her (standing) at the 3rd hour and I was already complaining, 3 hrs??? I would have burned down the shop
That aside, when I finally reached the pearly gates of donut heaven, I decided, hell, why shld I buy only three donuts after queuing for sooo long? So in the end I bought 2 boxes (one for my fren, hey...if I can make another fren happy why not?) Anyway, Jie loved it when I gave her some. I liked it too. Just not enough to ever queue up for donuts.
The Place - Donut Factory
The Hype - I seriously dun noe!
Mayyyyyyyybe itz the attraction to a long queue that entices the Singaporean, I mean, Hullo! Kitty anyone? The parents queuing for pri school registrations, etc need I say more?
Seriously, if not fer my fren who was already queuing up for the donuts, I would never queue up (for 3 hours) for donuts! I spotted some people in the queue with chairs! Well, My fren and I certainly did not have any chairs. I joined her (standing) at the 3rd hour and I was already complaining, 3 hrs??? I would have burned down the shop
That aside, when I finally reached the pearly gates of donut heaven, I decided, hell, why shld I buy only three donuts after queuing for sooo long? So in the end I bought 2 boxes (one for my fren, hey...if I can make another fren happy why not?) Anyway, Jie loved it when I gave her some. I liked it too. Just not enough to ever queue up for donuts.
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