Considering the Oris Aquis Date

There is nothing subtle about the Oris Aquis Date, this is a large chunk of watch and exactly what I am looking for; so for this purpose - I want overstated. I am somewhat of a watch collector and although I currently don't have a Patek Philippe, Audemares Picquet, a Vacheron Constantin or a Rolex in my collection - I am happy with my timepiece collection.

I don't have a watch with a display caseback showcasing the intricacies of the mechanical movement. The Aquis is fitted with the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. Oris has stated that they have never produced a quartz watch and never will - a bold statement. The 2016 is constructed with the chunky bracelet whilst the 2017 model is described as more elegant shaving the bracelet thickness significantly.

The bracelet connection to the case is somewhat unusual as compared to standard dive watches adding to the uniqueness of the Aquis. The weight of the timepiece doesn't match the bulk and I am left wondering about the grade of stainless steel used, still, it doesn't appear soft.

So I will more than likely add a Oris timepiece to the collection if I can secure a decent deal. Searching for the Oris on dive trips in the Philippines, I noticed that the Oris brand is significantly discounted as compared to Australian prices.

This is unusual as prices for both mid-range and high end timepieces such as Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Blancpain, Bruguet, Tudor, Tissot, IWC, Longines, Bremont and Patek Philippe being significantly higher in the Philippines.

I put this phenomenon down to the rich in the Philippines being readily willing to flaunt their wealth and willing to pay the going price whereas the average Australian prestige watch buyer is more price conscious.

This doesn't explain the discounting of the Oris range, they are a quality watchmaker so I'm guessing the range just doesn't sell in the Philippines with numerous distributors willing to immediately drop 30% of the retail price. With a 42 mm case and very heavy-set bracelet, possibility this watch is too big for the average Asian wrist.

This is somewhat contrary to my view, I was sitting at a restaurant and spotted an Oris on the wrist of a diner and he was local Filipino. I thought I might go for the large dive watch look, I have been a diver for 25+ years and had previously selected understated timepieces - time for a change. It won't be a desk diver, this will be spending time underwater throughout the upcoming summer.

If you push the distributor, they are willing to discount even further although sales staff must receive permission from the store manager to engage in further discounting. What I do see is authorised distributors in a dedicated Omega, a dedicated Longines, a dedicated Rolex or dedicated IWC store.

I am yet to see a dedicated Oris store in the Philippines so the general branded watch stores may be seeking to dump a line that sits in their showcases occupying space and tying up capital. It appears this timepiece is carried by more independent Philippine watch retailers with the larger retailers less interested in carrying Oris.

2010 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon

Knocking the top off a 2010 Vasse Felix cabernet sauvignon, I knew I was in for a good evening. The Vasse Felix cabernet sauvignon has legs, so a 2010 is an aged wine that has softened out somewhat and has plenty left, a further six to eight years is reasonable although the tasing notes listed up to 2021. Winemaker Virginia Willcock has certainly developed a reputation for quality, this an excellent example of Vasse Felix Margaret River winemaking.

As the opaque dark crimson wine flowed from the bottle into my glass, I viewed the dark red hue against my counter top, to my way of thinking, a good cab sav is dark but due to aging the hue is slightly brown at the edge. The bouquet exhibited complex aromas of blackcurrant, bay leaf and some hints of tobacco; the palette is described as medium bodied but I tend to think this 2010 is more full bodied.  

Looking at the tasting notes, the 2010 is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot with just 0.5% Cabernet Franc to round out the blend. The 18 month maturation took place in French oak with 51% new barriques and the other 49% in a mix of one to four year old barriques. I tend to buy in bulk directly from the winemaker and have to check exactly how much of the 2010 I have left as I will take some down to the holiday house to share with the family at Easter.

No style - no boundaries

On a pre-Christmas holiday flight from Perth to Denpasar, a flight I always dread owing to the clientele this flight attracts, I was once again left dismayed. Poking through my armrest and into my seat area was the bare foot and painted toenails of the person behind me.

Unbelievable, do people have no boundaries? Firstly, this is an armrest on my seat, the foot rest resides at the lower section of the seat in their space. So rubbing against my elbow was the foot of a thoroughly disgusting individual, needless to say I jammed my elbow back yet they refused to withdraw their foot. I tried to jam a book in there to form a barrier but it wouldn't stay there.

I couldn't raise the armrest as it was fixed and they didn't get the hint. I couldn't recline the seat either or I would have considered thrusting that back in a forceful manner so they jam their legs in the space and hopefully learn their lesson. Maybe I might take my shoes off and sit them on their armrest, so this how air rage starts?

Even with my headphones on I was unable to drown out their accent of their German language they decided to project across the cabin at maximum volume. Not that I have anything against Germans - just keep the decibels to normal speaking volume - this is how backpackers get a terrible reputation. These budget flights space their seats in a very close proximity so they are able to squeeze more passengers in so space is at a premium.

I am ok with this, I like cheap flights to a holiday destination as much as anyone and understand a critical mass of people reduces costs for everybody - great stuff. However, this isn't a license to act in an anti-social manner, show some respect for other people in the cabin you self-centred arseholes.

The New Silk Road

Globalisation is heralded as a new concept and chided as the destroyer of jobs and livelihoods in developed higher cost nations. Are high standards of living being eroded in developed nations through high costs and benefits? 

Nothing is further from the truth as trading has been around since ancient time with the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Phoenicians as every nation must remain competitive in international markets. 

It wasn't just the Mediterranean seafaring nations engaging in international trade, further east the central Asian nations were pretty adept at trade as well.

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trading pathways and communication channels linking the countries of Eurasia to not only merchandise and commodities but ideas, knowledge, values and beliefs. 

The Silk Road was not just limited to overland passage but also included maritime routes through a network of ports and coastal villages. 

The overland thoroughfares linked the Greco-Roman civilisations to the far east with passages traversing the deserts of Syria through Iraq, Iran and Mongolia to China. 

This wasn't a single route but a network of paths and roads purely linking China to Europe as India, Indonesia and the gulf countries were also connected by sea and land routes.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in 2013 an ambitious plan to build a new Silk Road known as the Belt and Road Initiative requiring the largest infrastructure programs the world has seen. An expected trillion dollar budget with Beijing announcing up to 8 trillion dollars will be lend to participating nations. 

So, who stands to benefit from the New Silk Road? Naturally China, their manufacturing base has an over capacity and seeks not only new markets but higher value industrial goods. 

Chinese engineering and transportation is poised to benefit with construction and heavy equipment required during not only the construction phase but also ongoing maintenance. 

Nations that may have been seeking to move into cheaper low-cost manufacturing had been looking to undermine current low-cost Chinese manufacturing will undoubtedly be suspicious. 

Some nations have expressed concern that this is domestic Chinese policy with geopolitical consequences. It is argued that whilst some countries are moving to a more self-centric policy withdrawing from international affairs. The Chinese government is seeking to build bridges and not walls.     

So who else benefits? The China Development Bank has set aside funds for infrastructure projects including gas pipelines, roads, bridges, ports and rail. A number of poorer underdeveloped nations appear to be the biggest beneficiaries although the terms of capital input. 

There appears to be plenty of concerns with claims of a lack of transparency, negligible contract arrangements, high debt burdens and possible inabilities to repay loans. The question then arises, who takes control of the assets in these countries with poorer nations possibly losing sovereignty? 

There are claims of neo-colonialism and the expanding military presence seeking to economically marginalise the United States whilst expanding Chinese cultural influence. Whilst China has assured nations their intentions are pure, are richer developed nations concerns driven by paranoia or fear of marginalisation? 

Memorial to a species

With all due respect to wildlife photographer Brent Stirton, this is his award winning photograph of a de-horned black rhino in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve.

I understand the poor communities of not just South Africa but the whole continent of Africa hold a short-term view of the majestic wildlife inhabiting this planet. The more animals we kill, the rarer they become and the demand for their ivory, horns or other body parts becomes more lucrative. The black rhino is critically endangered, pretty much solely due to the illegal black rhino horn trade.

This black market trade needs to be eradicated to prevent this disgraceful and wasteful environmental crime. There are guards but apparently the poachers entered the park under the cover of darkness using silenced rifles and shot the animal hacking off it's horn before the patrol discovered the crime. According to the photographer, this was one of more than thirty slain whilst covering the story - this is an absolute blight on humankind.

The beg-packing epidemic hitting South East Asia

I find it distasteful, we have entitled young millennials from rich western countries who are begging on the streets of South East Asia expecting others to pay for their life experiences. These flogs set up GoFundMe pages so supposed rich idiots can pay for their alcohol abuse, drug taking and general laziness. That's why I pay taxes, so I, as part of the working community can pay for their lifestyle and support their petty indulgences.

Clearly these self-indulgence arseholes expect either other tourists to pay for their university gap years or fund their frivolous lives or alternately they expect the residents of these impoverished countries they visit to kick in for their travel. These are the same inhabitants living in poverty attempting to scratch out a living where no or limited social security or safety nets exist.

They can utilise their expensive smartphone to take pictures to sell as postcards or maybe play their  musical instruments and expensive sound equipment to entertain crowds. I have no issue with backpackers who work hard to save funds to travel the region. I have backpacked myself and understand the requirements of juggling a career, paying the bills before I go, paying the bills at home while I am away as I still run a household and pay my tax.

Maybe these loafers need to gain a little perspective and not expect everyone to pay their way and learn to look after themselves. The upside is maybe they move out of their parents house so they reduce the burden on them so they can plan their own retirement and travel. Just don't expect other people to pay for their travels and especially don't beg from poor people struggling to feed their families.

Flying Perth to London non-stop

Soon Qantas will begin direct flights between Perth and London and everyone seems excited; me less so, but I appear to be in the minority. The original Australia to London trip back in 1935 took 12 days departing from Brisbane, this included 31 stops along the way.  The kangaroo route kicked off in 1947 taking only 4 days with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo and Tripoli; an improvement but remaining a somewhat arduous journey.

Still, a 17 hour flight is going to hurt no matter how you look at it. However, this new service has plenty of support with upgrades to Perth Domestic Terminal nearing completion allowing inbound domestic flights to link with international flights. This has required immigration facilities to be built at the domestic terminal with multiple internal terminals to operate from Perth Airport and one suspects upgraded duty free shopping and restaurant/bar facilities.

Qantas dropped the kangaroo route in 2013 due to financial difficulty instead allowing Emirates A380 to carry it's passengers from Sydney to Dubai with Qantas picking up the Dubai to London route. After regaining a healthy profit and loss statement, Qantas recommenced the kangaroo route delivering record profits before announcing the new direct service from Perth to London with the new reconfigured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Perth can never be an international hub like Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai based upon it's location at pretty much the end of the world. However, what Perth can become is a domestic Australian hub to launch services to Africa, Europe, the Middle East and central Asia along with the standard destinations of South-East Asia. Then there is the standard domestic travel within the state driven by the resources industry for both the mining and oil/gas sectors including exploration and production.

This is an exciting time to travel from Perth, our once sub-standard facilities are much improved with new terminals, a rail link currently under construction and dramatically increased services all driven by demand. Flights are becoming cheaper, routes extended, increased frequency and better infrastructure will hopefully also attract a greater share of inbound tourists.

Adelaide trams

I got to use some of the public transport whilst in Adelaide including some buses and the tram. Unfortunately I missed using the heavy rail as the line was out where I needed to travel for long term maintenance. Fortunately, I found the tram to be an excellent service that is a really cost efficient mode of travel.

Adelaide only has a single tram line running from the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, through the CBD, that's the central business district or downtown to Americans to the beachside suburb of Glenelg. This is simple tram line, one can't really call it a network but it is highly effective and I was pretty impressed with its patronage. If you stay within the confines of the CBD then travel is free, you can't get any more cost effective than that. I would hope in the future they would look into an east/west service to complement the excellent north/south service running now.

Hugo Boss - Tonic

2017 saw the release of a new Hugo Boss fragrance named Tonic. This eau de toilette is a fresh daytime edition to their range of quality cologne. According to their advertising, this fragrance is intended for 'modern men who aspire for success' - I kid you not. I am sure advertising is a tricky business but I have to wonder when advertising borders on comedy.

So, I found the eau de toilette a little lackluster insofar as the concentration of an eau de toilette is much weaker than an eau de parfum but still apparently stronger than an eau de cologne. As such, an eau de toilette doesn't last the day and has to be reapplied but I won't be doing that but it a light fragrance that's not too over-powering.

Described as fresh but not too intense, containing citrus notes of grapefruit, lemon, apple and bitter orange overlayed with ginger and cinnamon. This offering has a woody base and considered earthy, dry and elegant. The bottle is light blue and coming from Hugo Boss is undoubtedly reasonably expensive. The question that needs to be asked though, is Tonic worthwhile? My answer is yes, this is worth the outlay.

The age pension in Australia

I have been reading comments online lately with individuals trying to influence people by stating the age pension in Australia is not welfare but an earned right. Instead, these people argue the pension was administered using the tax paid by your employment and invested in public infrastructure paying dividends for your retirement pension - wrong.

These people argue the system has been poorly managed and now there is no money left for pensioners; this is unfortunately a total fabrication and possibly repeated by people pushing nationalistic agendas. The aged pension is a safety net for those who are not able to support their own retirements and is means tested - that is income and asset tested.

The pension system also has to be read in conjunction with the introduction of universal superannuation in Australia in the early 1990s known as the Superannuation Guarantee Levy. The superannuation scheme was supported in lieu of pay rises and paid by your employer on your behalf into a designated superannuation account. As such, we funded our future retirements by offsetting current pay rises for future retirement savings. 

This formed part of the Prices and Incomes Accord of the Hawke government where pay demands were moderated for improvements in the social wage. The elements of the social wage included improved public health provisions, increased unemployment and pension benefits, tax cuts and eventually superannuation. Naturally, the social wage included tax payers supporting those who were not in paid employment. 

So the age pension was introduced in Australia in 1901, although a number of schemes were in use by several of the former British colonies. As Australians, we know 1901 as the year of federation where the six British colonies joined together to become the Commonwealth of Australia - a nation was created. So, the age pension was pretty much around when the nation was formed although it took nearly a decade for payments to begin. 

The pension system, once adapted had residency clauses attached that were reduced from 25 years to 20 years in the early stages. The current rules require Australian residency for 10 years with a period of at least 5 years with no break in residency. Originally, the pension was paid to men from age 65 onwards and women from age 60; currently both men and women must be at least 65 with the age requirement climbing to 67 for people born after 1957.

The pension was financed from general revenue right from the beginning and still is to this day and not investment returns from infrastructure as has been claimed. There was, and still is no taxation paid requirement, a portion of your tax is not placed in a separate retirement account as occurs in other nations. As such, a person living in Australia who has never worked a day of paid employment in their life or paid tax still draws a pension upon meeting age requirements. 

Likewise, a person who has paid taxes their whole working life who has built up assets above asset test limits does not qualify for the age pension receiving nothing instead funding their own retirement. There is partial public funding for retirees with a part-pension paid based on assets and income to supplement self-funded retirees.

However, current government policy to limit superannuation payments during your working life and benefit total limits have been imposed to the detriment of those willing to support their own retirements in a short-term thinking. 

Now I'm a union representative

So following an election, I am now the union representative. Well, it wasn't much of an election, I was nominated and nobody else put their hand up. It wasn't the old cliché where they asked all volunteers to step forward with everyone taking a step backwards leaving me standing all exposed - I really wanted to take on the role.

I am taking this role very seriously, the quality of life of union members is at stake. For some, this is their only support they receive; they have families to feed, rent or mortgage payments, school fees and then there is their life they should be leading. I am no stranger to the actions and tactics undertaken by senior management; or should I say, the lack of action by the very department entrusted to serve the needs of employees.

These are hard working and dedicated people driven to provide the highest standard of service to their clients, if only the senior management showed the same level of dedication there would be little issues. I am looking forward to this challenge and serve the people who provide the great service we require to our clients.

Hanging at Adelaide Oval

We were in Adelaide on a Sunday looking around the city and wandered over the Adelaide City Bridge to the revamped Adelaide Oval. We had seen plenty of footage of the oval in use with day/night cricket test matches, T20 Big Bash games and AFL games played against the Adelaide Crows and cross town rival Port Adelaide.

So when we had the opportunity to wander in to look around, we didn't hesitate to view the final day of a four day Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Tasmania. There was no charge as the result was inevitable with Tasmania only requiring a handful of wickets to clinch victory.

Regardless, these two state teams were playing to an empty house which is sad for a state level professional sport. Also, a number of international players were involved and even though they were not currently selected for national duties, this is the competition where players must perform to gain national selection to represent their country internationally.

Regardless of the patronage on this particular Sunday, next week was to host the 2nd test between Australia and England to fight for the Ashes, one of the greatest international sporting rivaly in any sport in terms of history, patronage and emotion. The Barmy Army, that is the English supporters so elegantly named who travel from city to city across Australia to attend the test match providing enthusiasm and support for their team.

The Adelaide Oval was booked out the following weekend and despite the sad attendance for the local state level match was booked out for the five days of 2nd test. Fortunately we were departing on the Thursday and very lucky as pretty much all of the accommodation was booked out for this important test match.

Is shareholder value an outdated concept?

I was reading a finance article in the Sydney Morning Herald with the author proclaiming shareholder value is one of the dumbest ideas in finance and asking, is capitalism on its last legs? For those unfamiliar with the SMH, this was once the premier newsprint in Australia's largest city before the Fairfax family lost control of the newspaper; the editorial content is now very left wing and their articles tend to follow their political narrative and views. This got me thinking, is shareholder value an inherently outdated concept?

True to form, the socialist tendencies of the newspaper shone through with the comments section riddled with references to their number one enemy Rupert Murdoch, trickle down economics, shareholder dividends, the class debate including financial envy and CEO salaries - ok, I agree with their CEO salary ditribe. So, what is shareholder value? The definition of shareholder value relates to the value delivered to shareholders due to managerial ability to

Their premise of their argument is capitalism is on it's last legs is without foundation. Firstly, citing recent economic history, both the former USSR and the People's Republic of China have transformed from centrally planned economies based on communism to market based capitalist economies. China will eventually move to the world's largest economy in the not too distant future. The Chinese are embracing capitalism as their citizens are lifted out of poverty and into a burgeoning middle class. Russia went from pretty much bankrupt after the cold war ended to flush with petro-dollars and a superpower again.

Capitalism is evolving but that doesn't mean it is on it's last legs. The triple bottom line and corporate social responsibility are not new concepts.These ideals are driven by both shareholder and stakeholder values. Shareholders are members of the community and although the firm is not a living breathing entity, the shareholders who own the shares are and they are beginning to exert pressure on senior managers to adapt to new ideals.

The shareholders own the company, they are the ones who put up the capital and take the risk - they deserve to be remunerated accordingly. I don't subscribe to Friedman's argument of the one and only obligation of business is to mazimise profits whilst engaging in open and free competition without fraud or deception. As shareholder theory asserts shareholders advance capital to the management to invest in a manner that increases shareholder returns.

Stakeholder theory asserts shareholders advance capital to the management with a duty to both shareholders and stakeholders contributing voluntarily or involuntarily to the wealth creation capacity and are therefore potential risk takers or beneficiaries. As employees and staff members are remunerated already, as long as they are not subjected to workplace hazards and adhering to measurable standards of behaviour. Many corporations invest in the community providing facilities and support enriching the very people where they operate. 

Shareholder value is not the dumbest idea in business nor is it an outdated concept. As a shareholder in Australian firms, I endorse the shareholder value concept and I also endorse the stakeholder view as investing in stable communities increases value in the long-term. What I do not endorse is short-term views that are currently prevalent, capitalism is not an outdated concept and capitalism is in a constant state of change and evolution.

Roger Federer nailing the Quokka selfie

Durable tennis champion and all round good guy Roger Federer has a massive social media following, what Roger says or does is news. He is not just a sports star, he is very much a social media influencer.

So when Roger was in Perth for the Hopman Cup over the New Year's holiday period, what he did and where he went was certain to gain exposure as a global netizen. Now dubbed Perth's unofficial ambassador, Roger's trip to Rottnest Island was big news and his selfie with a quokka was sure to gain plenty of international interest in both Perth and Rottnest Island. Sure, he was paid generously for his time and these payments have remained undisclosed for commercial purposes. The quokka has been described as the world's happiest animal, Roger's selfie was certainly a great shot and has been reposted repeatedly - a fantastic shot.