A modded(Franken) Green HMT Kohinoor

So I saw a HMT green Kohinoor for sale on OLX and could see that it has been modded heavily even to be designated as a franken. I got it from a private seller. Here are some pictures and cons of modding improperly.

Modded portions 

Dial is not original. If you look carefully, the kohinoor font is different from the original one on the blue kohinoor I posted earlier.

The hands have been changed as well, but this is to my likes, though they are not lume.

The crown is projected 1.12mm from the case. I need to take it to a watch mechanic to have it fixed.

The back is having a exhibition case and the movement is indeed a HMT

The change was done by someone who didn't mod the frequency correctly. The watch is atleast 5 minutes faster per day. 

The straps are not original either.

But for 1600, this for me is still a watch that I would like. But if you are a fanatic, better to authenticate and buy a watch.

Today's feel - though we could read ebooks in digital devices, reading from book is old school and pleasing , just like a vintage mechanical watch

HMT Kohinoor - A gem of the past, present and future

I fondly remember my father having a HMT watch when I was young. He has misplaced it now and I don't know where it is or what model it was. 

I started searching for an automatic watch and was trying to find the cheapest automatic watch available in India. My search took me lot of small manufacturers in India like the OLEVS and Even Benling in Flipkart. But something happened, I got to see a HMT watch being sold as a DIXOT brand which looked very wrong. Then out of curiosity, I started to check on HMT and to my dismay found it was shut in 2016. 

One thing lead to another and in no time, I was in the HMT website and was puzzled to see they were still selling watches and came to understand that there is still very minimal production and after going through their website decided upon HMT Kohinoor blue. I did want the maroon edition but it was not available. Blue looked equally good.

This is a hand wind movement that has power for 24 - 48 hours. It is a smaller dial of 36 mm, but fits nicely for my smaller wrist. 

The glass on it is raised a bit and is also acrylic - can get scratched compared to Sapphire. But I love it. If they offered Kohinoor as an automatic, I would be one of the first persons to get it. 

HMT still make good watches and wish they started a full production factory atleast one to design and share new , cheaper and beautiful watches.

I still have my eyes on Stellar and waiting to get one as soon as a Kohinoor like dial to show up.

They could license one or 2 of the latest Miyota movements and start whole new ranges and offerings. 

HMT - Timekeepers of the nation is a very true statement.

I also ordered a HMT Franken() Pilot watch and waiting for that to show up. I'll have Kohinoor for occassions and Pilot for day-to-day use.

A new hobby - Watch collection

After a tumultuous period in my personal life, I recently found that I needed to reinvigorate myself with something and the thing that has got me motivated now is collecting watches.

It all started with my wife gifting me a Casio royale watch on my birthday. I loved it a lot that within couple of months, I have got my own little collection going. 

I started not with expensive watches but rather cheap ones that fit into my pocket.

I'll have brief personal review for each one of them and how I acquired or found it in separate blog posts.