Bencab Swatch Watches

Kim's Christmas gifts to me this year were the 2014 and 2015 Bencab collaboration Swatch watches.

The Sabel Swatch was released in 2014, and was also packaged with a Bencab sculpture and a numbered watch. The watch that Kim purchased was in the regular Sabel Swatch packaging:

The Bencab+Swatch collaboration for 2015 is the Ode to the Flag. It is reminiscent of the Philippine Centennial Swatch released to commemorate the 100th Independence of the Philippines, but that one was a Zobel+Swatch collaboration.

I don't intend on wearing the Swatches, I just took them out of their packaging to inspect them further.

Under the specially designed packaging, the watches came in the standard plastic cases of Swatch. The 2015 Swatch's inner packet however had Swatch Club stamped all over it.

Here are pictures of the Swatches out in the wild for a photoshoot:

I really don't mind the size of the Swatch. I would guess without confirming that it is about 39mm. I'm used to wearing watches sized at 44mm upwards. However, the design is really intricately done on the straps and the watch face. The hour and minute hands are also quite distinct - it is noticeable even if the watch face of the Sabel Swatch, for example, is pretty busy with details. 

It was a good thing that Kim was still able to chance upon a Sabel Swatch - it was released 2014, and I suppose they have very limited stocks now. I had made inquiries on the Chinese New Year Swatch designs from the previous years at a Swatch booth, because Bencab also designed a Year of the Horse commemorative Swatch, and unfortunately, the previous years designs are no longer available. 

This further my resolve to purchase the Chinese New Year Swatch come next year - will not let the moment of getting another special Swatch pass me by again (here's to hoping that Bencab will also design it). 

The Bencab Swatches combines two of my passions right now, watches and art. I know I may not be able to afford a Bencab as of yet, but owning a piece, nay, two pieces designed by him at such an affordable cost of PhP 3,500.00 each, is not bad at all! 

Swatch can boast that they single-handedly revived the Swiss watch industry, so the designer-collaborations aside, owning a Swatch is an affordable investment to own a part of Swiss horological history. 

I hope some readers become convinced and go out to buy these beautiful pieces while they're still available!

Residents' Christmas Party in One Serendra

I have been organizing events ever since I joined my current employer last March of 2009. To be frank, I had no background in organizing events - back in New World Makati City Hotel, I was with the Front Office. Nonetheless, in Ayala Property Management Corporation, the position of Head Concierge is expected to be the events organizers of the properties they're assigned to. 

As it turns out, I have a knack for organizing events. It was a talent I did not know I had. When I joined One Serendra in 2012, it was to be the culmination of my career as an events organizer, because the events in this property have a budget of PhP 300,000.00 to PhP 500,000.00, not withstanding sponsorships that we can still get for each event. 

Big budget, unlimited possibilities for events equals loads of challenges, which glad to say, I have weathered through. 

Why am I being sentimental as I post this? Well, today is my last event in One Serendra. I will be managing a different Ayala residential complex come January 2016. 

My first day in One Serendra, I was asked to attend the Residents' Christmas Party for 2012, organized by my predecessor. And now, I'm sitting in the Piazza Veranda, 3 years later, praying so hard it won't rain for, surprise surprise, my last event which happens to be this year's Christmas Party. 

Currently I’m caught up in such a flurry of activities, as everybody’s racing to finish the set up for the party. Our caterer is Omakase, I have a Bonanza roast calf station, I have 100 bottles of wine, and 60 liters of beer – it’s supposed to be an epic night, I’m just really praying so hard for the clouds to blow away. Everyone, please pray with me.

Here’s to my last event in One Serendra!