Audemars Piguet

rakis73
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Once upon a time in 2003...

On 28 June 2010, I met Dr Thomas Mao once again after about 7 years - I was very fortunate to have that chance meeting as the first and last time we had encountered each other was in 2003 at the Vacheron Constantin dinner organised by The Purists. It was my maiden foray into the world of watch enthusiasts and I became familiar with a number of people at that event, some of whom I had stayed in touch with throughout the years. I sincerely wish I had been a much more active participant here - unfortunately, I had out of shyness, remained a silent member of the Purists all these years with very little contribution to the community discussions. At the AP dinner last year, Thomas did urge me to come out of my shell abit though but I have remained too shy (sorry Thomas). However, I hope the members here will welcome my contribution today. Once again, I travel back to 2003 and my first post ever (which with the wonders of google I was able to retrieve) - i blush at how young and inexperienced I must have come across then (but the kind encouragement then was not lost on me). In 2003, acquiring an AP was certainly not within my reach. On 17 July 2003 (again from searching the archives of the Purists) I had reported a meeting with a senior Purists member who had taken time to come and meet me to show me his latest acquisition - the T3 - and at that point in time it was one of the first to be available in SIngapore and he was just one of 5 who had these. I marvelled at the T3 and handed it back of course. But I convinced myself that eventually, one day, somehow, I would acquire this piece because of the way it made me feel and the significance I felt it had for me personally. About one month ago, I did a search for the T3 in some of the local forums in Singapore whilst on my summer vacation - I came across a posting, made a call, met a wonderful gentleman and two weeks later, I had finally acquired the T3. It is quite a remarkable feeling to finally become the owner of a watch that first pulled me into the world of horology. Although this is not my first AP, it is certainly the AP I had first wanted so badly. Along the way, I picked up my first AP, the Shaq and my second, the Jalan Bukit Bintang. I love each of these for different reasons but I yearned for the T3 especially as it had eluded me (for personal reasons) for such a long time. So when I chanced upon it during my summer vacation, I could not resist any longer and I felt I just had to. I must of course confess that a significant persuasive component for my leap was the delightful gentleman I had met. We got along wonderfully and I believe we have also opened the door to a much longer relationship as friends as well. So, if you have indulged me thus far, here I present my effort to capture the spirit of the T3 - I am by no measure an expert photographer (as it will become obvious from the photos below) but I hope you allow me the pleasure of sharing this piece which means so much to me personally. Here is the AP T3 (on an AP Langkawi hornback strap with yellow stitching):