A few weeks back, I popped into my favourite little watch shop in Bangkok, Saggio watches, which is where I bought my bronze Ancon Challenger from. Apart from telling me he's opening a 2nd shop in one of Bangkok's shopping Malls, which I'll be checking out shortly, Tony showed me several watches that I hadn't seen before, including a brand called Maiale, which clearly I had never heard of and I doubt anyone else has either?
Maiale, according to Tony, is Italian for 'Pig' (I haven't checked). Okay, thought I, not thinking too much of it, but all the same wondering why a Thai brand would be so-called?
Now, I liked these watches in the flesh and tried to find out more on-line, but all I could find was mention of them on a couple of facebook pages. There is clearly a link to Panerai somewhere in all of this and links to a torpedo attack by Italian frogmen, but pretty much all there is on the net about these particular watches, is this (if you could find more, that would be great):
https://www.facebook.com/porjaijakhay/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1014760555248535
So today I was back in the area where Tony's shop is and I asked more about the brand. It turns that it's really just a collective of watch collectors and enthusiasts who decided to create a series of limited edition watches basically for their own satisfaction - isn't that great! Tony wasn't actually sure where they were manufactured, but basically they use Seiko parts and their NH35 automatic movement. He also confirmed there is no website. He has the watches for sale in his shop.
There are 4 designs, two using SS and two covered with DLC. each design is an LE of 50. I took these photos on my earlier visit, but have only now realised I don't have any shots of the brown dial DLC version. I personally prefer the SS models in any case and would be happy with either version. I thought Tony said the case was 45mm, but on the superb box that comes with each watch, it states 47mm.
So, honestly, what do you think? Cost is 19,000 baht which equates to somewhere in the region of £380 - £440 depending on the 'volatile' exchange rate (seems to be heading up again). Excuse quality of pics.
Black dial SS version (Tony will change the strap for me if I select this model):
Green dial /DLC (the DLC is much 'blacker' than appears in this pic:
Whit dial / SS version:
Reverse of DLC version. SS has the same design:
The same engraving is on the SS models:
The excellent box, with strap changing tool and various sections for the watch, strap etc:
