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Submarino · 16 November 2011, 02:30 PM

Finally I am back from my trip to China. What a wonderful place!

Here are some pictures of my trip. First, let's start with my AP ROO keeping our flight time. Wish I had more than 12 hours on that chrono as the total flight time from Chicago to Beijing was 13 hours and 11 minutes.

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Beijing is a wonderful city with tons of history but also with a very modern side and great architecture. Here's the Tiananmen Gate at the Forbidden City.
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The modern and upscale shopping area on Wangfujing Street.
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The best Peking Duck in all Beijing. DaDong at Jinmao Place.
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One of the best restaurants in Beijing. 'Huang Ting' at The Peninsula.
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The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Amazing place!!!
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The Olympic Park with the amazing 'Bird's Nest' stadium.
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The picturesque 'Summer Palace'.
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Sun Tung Lok, one of the few restaurants in China with three Michelin stars.
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Some delicacies ready to be fried and others already fried at the Wangfujing Street Food Market. These included: snake meat, seahorses, starfish, scorpions (two kinds), centipedes, tarantulas, etc.
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Now let's go to the topic that everyone is really interested in.

The watch market is amazing! Almost every single luxury watch brand has a beautiful boutique in the Wangfujing street area or very close to it.

The exclusive boutiques that I visited included: The Rolex Experience, Rolex Boutique, Tudor Boutique, Jaeger LeCoultre, Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Tag Heuer, Rado, Vacheron Constantin, Glashüte, Carl Bucherer, Piaget, Richard Mille, Breguet, Ulysse Nardin, Omega and independent ADs that carry multiple brands. The prices in general were very high compared to the U.S. At least a 25-30% markup over U.S. Retail Prices so now I know why Chinese consumers prefer to buy their watches here in the U.S. Also tried on the new Explorer II in both black and white dials and unfortunately didn't like them at all.

Here are some pictures:

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BNA/LION · 16 November 2011, 02:35 PM

Great Pics! Thanks for sharing. Did leave with a new watch?

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BNALION

Great Pics! Thanks for sharing. Did leave with a new watch?

No, prices were to high and discounts were not even possible.

Dan Pierce · 16 November 2011, 02:35 PM

Great pics, thanks for sharing!!
dP

sea-dweller · 16 November 2011, 02:37 PM

Thanks for sharing!

Alex1974 · 16 November 2011, 02:41 PM

Nice pictures, I hope you could enjoy this wonderful city with all his colours.
I like the city as well.

Regards,
Alexander

MortgageGuy · 16 November 2011, 03:01 PM

Awesome pics, thanks

threemonkeys · 16 November 2011, 03:30 PM

Great photos.

And did you try a scorpion-on-a-stick? Good eatin' for sure.

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

Great photos.

And did you try a scorpion-on-a-stick? Good eatin' for sure.

I am adventurous but not that much. I've had 'maguey' (agave type plant) worms, ant larvae ('escamoles') and dried salted crickets ('chapulines') in the past while living in Mexico. All of them are delicious believe it or not!!!!

Watch Professor · 16 November 2011, 03:33 PM

Wonderful pics. Thanks.

Mr.Chow · 16 November 2011, 03:43 PM

Happy to hear u had a great time, and didn't let some of the lesser educated forum members discourage u from wearing your watch in CHina. China is really wonderful

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Chow

Happy to hear u had a great time, and didn't let some of the lesser educated forum members discourage u from wearing your watch in CHina. China is really wonderful

It's a wonderful place and I could've not felt any safer. No problem wearing the watch everywhere and at any time. The people at some of the boutiques even pointed out 'beautiful watch sir'.

opaline460 · 16 November 2011, 03:50 PM

Great time thanks for sharing, I was there, Nan Jing and Fu Zhou last year.

general · 16 November 2011, 04:25 PM

do people speak English? Are street signs in English so a tourist would be able to get around on his or her own?

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by general

do people speak English? Are street signs in English so a tourist would be able to get around on his or her own?

Very little English spoken around. Even at hotels their English is conversational and if you speak too fast is hard for some people to understand you but at least everyone is trying which makes it great. Chinese people are in general very friendly with tourists and have the biggest smiles on their faces when seeing occidental people.

The vendors in some of the street markets will know the numbers in English and would be able to negotiate but that is about it. Street signage and some other signs are now in Chinese and in our alphabet. Still pretty hard to get around. The hotels give you a card so that cabs know where to take you or how to get back to the hotel in case you get lost.

sub2004 · 16 November 2011, 05:39 PM

Wow awesome.

First time I have seen a Tudor Boutique, and that next door and styled like Rolex. How very cool.

Many thanks for the pictures.

Pete17 · 16 November 2011, 05:49 PM

Thanks for the great pics.
Looks like capitalisim has definitely arrived in China.

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete17

Thanks for the great pics.
Looks like capitalisim has definitely arrived in China.

For instance the cars are in pretty good shape with very recent models. No beaters or clunkers. Most brands are available. The biggest car brands in order of importance based on what I saw are: Hyundai, VW, Audi, Buick, Toyota, BMW and then Mercedes-Benz. I even saw one of the coveted BMWs M3 Carbon (Limited Edition to 111 vehicles only made for the Chinese market MSRP $189,000 USD). Pretty fancy!

snowpea · 16 November 2011, 05:50 PM

Yeah I was there 2 years ago, and the peking duck was to die for. The watches was alright too

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpea

Yeah I was there 2 years ago, and the peking duck was to die for. The watches was alright too

Best three places for Peking Duck in order of importance: DaDong, Huang Ting and Quanjude. Avoid 'Made in China' because is nothing but a tourist trap. The setup is nice with the open kitchen stations but other than that the duck was pretty bad.

Fearsome Puppy · 16 November 2011, 06:05 PM

Sounds like you had a great time, did you manage to find your way to Sunlitun? Nice place to eat/drink and watch the world go by, also a few new high end watch boutiques...

travisb · 16 November 2011, 08:18 PM

And you already know I love that classic blue Offshore!

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fearsome Puppy

Sounds like you had a great time, did you manage to find your way to Sunlitun? Nice place to eat/drink and watch the world go by, also a few new high end watch boutiques...

We went around the area on Sunday but since it's the bar street we missed all the action the day before. Next time we're there we'll go for sure.

johnbeth · 16 November 2011, 08:23 PM

Thanks for sharing a great trip and great pics!

dalip · 16 November 2011, 08:28 PM

Fantastic pics of an incredible place to visit

Thanks for sharing

Gharddog03 · 16 November 2011, 08:30 PM

Sweet pics. Thanks for sharing.

thewatchguy93 · 16 November 2011, 08:35 PM

Great pics, looks like an amazing place to go if your lotto numbers come up!

MoBe · 16 November 2011, 08:48 PM

I like the picture with the 24hr Mc Donalds next to a line up of Swiss watch retailers.

American fast food and Swiss precision all coming together in China.

I wonder what what tricky Dick would think?

gigantor · 16 November 2011, 10:36 PM

Wonderful pic..glad u enjoy the place and food...is that sweet and sour pork i see in one of the photo...I craving for it

Submarino · 17 November 2011, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigantor

Wonderful pic..glad u enjoy the place and food...is that sweet and sour pork i see in one of the photo...I craving for it

Yes, that's an amazing Sweet and Sour Pork with pineapple and dragon fruit!!! Simply delicious!!!

16 November 2011, 02:30 PM	#1
Submarino "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Mr. H Location: Dallas Watch: them for me! Posts: 7,180	Back from Beijing: Great Place and Great Watch Experience!!! Finally I am back from my trip to China. What a wonderful place! Here are some pictures of my trip. First, let's start with my AP ROO keeping our flight time. Wish I had more than 12 hours on that chrono as the total flight time from Chicago to Beijing was 13 hours and 11 minutes. Beijing is a wonderful city with tons of history but also with a very modern side and great architecture. Here's the Tiananmen Gate at the Forbidden City. The modern and upscale shopping area on Wangfujing Street. The best Peking Duck in all Beijing. DaDong at Jinmao Place. One of the best restaurants in Beijing. 'Huang Ting' at The Peninsula. The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Amazing place!!! The Olympic Park with the amazing 'Bird's Nest' stadium. The picturesque 'Summer Palace'. Sun Tung Lok, one of the few restaurants in China with three Michelin stars. Some delicacies ready to be fried and others already fried at the Wangfujing Street Food Market. These included: snake meat, seahorses, starfish, scorpions (two kinds), centipedes, tarantulas, etc. Now let's go to the topic that everyone is really interested in. The watch market is amazing! Almost every single luxury watch brand has a beautiful boutique in the Wangfujing street area or very close to it. The exclusive boutiques that I visited included: The Rolex Experience, Rolex Boutique, Tudor Boutique, Jaeger LeCoultre, Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Tag Heuer, Rado, Vacheron Constantin, Glashüte, Carl Bucherer, Piaget, Richard Mille, Breguet, Ulysse Nardin, Omega and independent ADs that carry multiple brands. The prices in general were very high compared to the U.S. At least a 25-30% markup over U.S. Retail Prices so now I know why Chinese consumers prefer to buy their watches here in the U.S. Also tried on the new Explorer II in both black and white dials and unfortunately didn't like them at all. Here are some pictures: __________________ WATCHES ARE THE NEW CURRENCY!/ MEMBER 27491/OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED OLD TIMER /AP OWNERS CLUB MEMBER Instagram @watchcollectinglifestyle

16 November 2011, 02:35 PM	#2
BNA/LION 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2011 Real Name: Larry Location: San Diego, CA Watch: ROLEX Posts: 25,661	Great Pics! Thanks for sharing. Did leave with a new watch? __________________ ✦ 28238 President DD 18K/YG ✦ 16610LN SS Sub ✦ 16613 18K/SS Serti ✦ 16550 Exp II Non-Rail Cream Dial ✦ Daytona C 116500 ✦ 126710 BLRO GMT-Master II ✦ NEXT-->? ⛳ Hole In One! 10/3/19 DMCC 5th hole, par 3, 168 yards w/ 4-Iron.

16 November 2011, 02:35 PM	#4
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,217	Great pics, thanks for sharing!! dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

16 November 2011, 03:01 PM	#7
MortgageGuy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Adam Location: Orlando, Florida Watch: Me Posts: 9,935	Awesome pics, thanks __________________ The richest people in the world look for and build NETWORKS, Everyone else looks for work... Robert Kiyosaki

16 November 2011, 03:33 PM	#10
Watch Professor "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Myron Location: New York Watch: GMT IIC; Sub Date Posts: 3,166	Wonderful pics. Thanks. __________________

16 November 2011, 02:37 PM	#5
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Thanks for sharing!

16 November 2011, 02:41 PM	#6
Alex1974 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Alexander Location: China Posts: 89	Nice pictures, I hope you could enjoy this wonderful city with all his colours. I like the city as well. Regards, Alexander

16 November 2011, 03:30 PM	#8
threemonkeys "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Real Name: Craig Location: Seattle-ish, USA Watch: GMTIIc, AK, LVc Posts: 7,022	Great photos. And did you try a scorpion-on-a-stick? Good eatin' for sure.

16 November 2011, 03:43 PM	#11
Mr.Chow Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Philly Watch: 16570, day date Posts: 17	Happy to hear u had a great time, and didn't let some of the lesser educated forum members discourage u from wearing your watch in CHina. China is really wonderful

16 November 2011, 03:50 PM	#13
opaline460 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: US Posts: 3,386	Great time thanks for sharing, I was there, Nan Jing and Fu Zhou last year.

16 November 2011, 04:25 PM	#14
general "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Earth Posts: 723	do people speak English? Are street signs in English so a tourist would be able to get around on his or her own?

16 November 2011, 05:39 PM	#16
sub2004 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: South Pacific Watch: SS Daytona Posts: 643	Wow awesome. First time I have seen a Tudor Boutique, and that next door and styled like Rolex. How very cool. Many thanks for the pictures.

16 November 2011, 05:49 PM	#17
Pete17 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Real Name: Pete Location: Base Camp Posts: 628	Thanks for the great pics. Looks like capitalisim has definitely arrived in China.

16 November 2011, 05:50 PM	#19
snowpea "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Real Name: Steven Location: Jazoom Watch: Milgauss GV Posts: 1,092	Yeah I was there 2 years ago, and the peking duck was to die for. The watches was alright too __________________

16 November 2011, 06:05 PM	#21
Fearsome Puppy "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: Kevin Location: Kuala Lumpur Watch: SD4K Posts: 880	Sounds like you had a great time, did you manage to find your way to Sunlitun? Nice place to eat/drink and watch the world go by, also a few new high end watch boutiques... __________________ Lange 1815 Chrono, AP ROO 26470ST, RO 26230ST, Rolex 216570 (w), 116600, 116520 (w), IWC XV, PAM 366, 420, Omega 311.30.42.30.01.005, Seiko SKX007J, Apple Watch, a bunch of G-Shocks -------------------------------------------------------------

16 November 2011, 08:18 PM	#22
travisb 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Travis Location: FL / NYC Watch: Yes.. Posts: 33,493	Great pics! And you already know I love that classic blue Offshore!

16 November 2011, 08:23 PM	#24
johnbeth "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: John Location: Australia Watch: Depends on mood. Posts: 9,536	Thanks for sharing a great trip and great pics!

16 November 2011, 08:28 PM	#25
dalip "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Real Name: Dalip Location: Mumbai and Perth Watch: Rolex PAM Omega Posts: 18,656	Fantastic pics of an incredible place to visit Thanks for sharing __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------ *"The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw*

16 November 2011, 08:30 PM	#26
Gharddog03 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Genaro Location: Fresno Ca. Watch: R O L E X Posts: 4,466	Sweet pics. Thanks for sharing.

16 November 2011, 08:35 PM	#27
thewatchguy93 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: thewatchguy Location: UK Watch: me buy gold.. Posts: 7,441	Great pics, looks like an amazing place to go if your lotto numbers come up! __________________ Instagram.. @thewatchguy www.thewatchguyofficial.co.uk Got a GREEN Submariner 116610LV.. Visit the official thread here! http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179580 Don't forget to visit the Rolex & Attire thread too! http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=215077

16 November 2011, 08:48 PM	#28
MoBe "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 6,773	I like the picture with the 24hr Mc Donalds next to a line up of Swiss watch retailers. American fast food and Swiss precision all coming together in China. I wonder what what tricky Dick would think?

16 November 2011, 10:36 PM	#29
gigantor Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Singapore Watch: 116520,Pam233 Posts: 57	Wonderful pic..glad u enjoy the place and food...is that sweet and sour pork i see in one of the photo...I craving for it

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