It has been great learning.
The most rewarding. yet, sad, in many ways, that from 1997 to 2011..these 10 pieces will fill and STAY filled, inside the LV box till my next generation.
It began in TZ and ends with my new beginnings with the Foundation Haute Horology and the Geneva GPHH.
Thanks to the support of the Purists. MTF and Kong both introduced me incorrectly at Bulgari's dinner...chuckles...it should NOT be just Ex Moderator, but the present title of office. I would have for example, introduced Mr Roden, not as the Ex CEO of Bulgari, but as the CEO of De Grisogono (for example).
Not withstanding the strange world of who ever is "better off than who ever else"...let me be among the few to pay respect and gratitude for Thomas who helped me in the Purists....and for Wei as well in the early Revo days. To Rolf, Max and the late Blumlein. To Maxim at Chopard, who helped me while at JLC...altho I never bought a BIG JLC piece at all.
I trust they may have helped me because they had REAL WORK to lift their brands...and sell stuff. I had my own agenda to promote my own views...like having fun, sex, women, drink and all sorts of similar intellectual pursuits of the most unselfish order.
About the AGE OLD debate...so DID I or DID I NOT profit, not just make money...but profit..materially and in otherways...after all, if you made money, you would have spent it or saved it for something..
So after 2011 minus 1997...from just THIS box...and if you guys GOOGLE my name Bernard Cheong with/without quote marks...I did profit MOST from Panerai ( $just over and enough to buy a new Porsche..free).
BUT..what about THESE hard to sell and heavy pieces???
The answer is:
a 100% YES BABY!!!
Even Jeremy Clarkson...and Jeremy..I know you...could not have twisted this outcome better!!!
10 super watches. All bought new, from the AD...almost all have depreciated in $$$ , for now....chuckles.
Hey..but look at where my neighbour's car is now, the one he bought in 1997, and the one in 2003!!!
Like BBC TOP GEAR style...I had to buy them (watches) without using money from my salary. Or business.
I traded my comics, my pens, older cars, a few watches (very few), bought a few stocks, collected on old favors (this one is the most), and so on....
It took 14 years!!!
I don't have enough to pay for the really expensive pieces like a GF tourby, or more than 1 RM in THIS box (I admit, this is box 1), but my collection is really a fraction of others.
Once I pay for the FREAK DIAVOLO by October 2011...I am going to take a rest!!!
BUT...I still advocate buying for investment!!!
NOBODY will agree!!!
But stubborn as I am...you will gain so much from the journey!!!
AND without selling off the 10 watches...have the TIME of YOUR LIFE!!!!
I say this with all honest and humble opinion...this is ONE great luxury, and one great pursuit that you can DIVE head in. Forget the goggles and helmet, forget the tanks..you can breathe in watch oils.
Enjoy!!!!
Follow on to the end of the Mysteries and the early ones.
Dr Bernard Cheong
Le conducteur amygdale et hypophysaire
Foundation Haute Horologie
( I love these incredibly unpronounciable titles!!!)