Horological Meandering

Dear friends
Summer in full bloom on Northern hemisphere
we are moving again to North America to meet our POTM.
Again nothing but pure joy to read about our esteemed member.
Till next month
Yours
D

       1. Please introduce yourself!

I’m Raymond from Washington State, USA, have been in the US for many years.
I worked as an Engineering Director in the high tech semiconductor industry, has been in the same industry for 20+ years.
My real “boss” is my wife and I have a son. A happy wife’s a happy life, so true.
We all love watches, yes 3 of us, probably poisoned by me, combined ~50 watches, still far from die hard collectors but I think it’s plenty already,
need to stop (Sound familiar? Heard that somewhere?). Here are my son’s watches, he’s 12 yrs young.




His 1^st 2 Swiss-made watches, Swatch, bought during summer 2016 Europe trip in Munich and a generous gift from a friend in Vienna.
 







Let you in for a secret….I was born in the 70’s and raised in Singapore, but moved to US later.
My birthday is the same day as a very famous, prominent German watch legend, it’s on Feb 18^th, guess who, clue is in the wrist shot with my son above.

 

       2. How did you discovered WatchProSite and what it means for you to be one of PuristS?

Like to read about watches, reviews and  new releases (my boss always complaint why I’m wasting my time on things that will make me keep spending $$)
Found PuristS, Timezone etc when surfing watches. Q for you, D: Is the one with ThomasM’s arm (I think) and big AP with a bunch of background Lamborghinis still valid and the same company???
I prefer the platform of PuristS over the text-like platform in TZ, less busy looking and advertisement too. Sorry TZ, it’s just me.
PuristS – means you are someone who has a genuine, sincere feeling and views towards something, able to contribute, take part in a community without boundaries, no hidden agenda.

      

       3. What watch are you wearing today and how you choose watch “of the day”?

I’m wearing my Rolex GMT Master II and typically I wear the latest purchase more frequently due to honeymoon period and also to test the watch while it’s still under warranty, smart right?
I happened to be on vacation in Hawaii for Christmas and New Year so this GMT is a great travel watch.
 

Other than that, I rotate my watches weekly or bi-weekly.

       4.  What is your favorite watch/brand/complication?

Hard to say, really tough question. My childhood dream, while window gazing those ADs, I always admire the Breguet or Blancpain Perpetual Calendar (PC) watches.
My dream watch was the Perpetual Calendar from these 2 brands….reason because I think it is amazing for a mechanical watch to be able to do all the calendar, leap year, moonphase stuff, fascinating.
I cannot forget those Brequets with a chained-pin on the leather strap to adjust the calendar and those Blancpain Villerets. In 2012, during my Europe trip, I bought the watch of my dream, but can only afford this Complete Calendar. I love how classic and clean this watch looks. How to not like this face below:  





Sorry… that was then but now, I feel a grail watch has to be somewhat proportional to price (but we don’t discuss price here, rules, I know). It is something you dream and a challenge to attain, or my grail target moved. However, with continuous improvements, good training skills and technological advances, a PC can be so much more reachable, so my dream PC complication is now up a notch to become a PCC or to decide which brand of PC to get. This is the “Poison” from reading PuristSPro too much, haha.
On the other hand, I’m also concern about a watch being too complicated, the servicing and maintenance. Maybe I will get a super nice PC and a super nice Chrono, just to be Purer – we are Purist, right?
It is nice to have Tourbillons or Minute Repeaters but I don’t really need that level of accuracy or sound to tell me time (if I’m in complete darkness, I’ll freak out and probably not a good idea to let dark lord hear my chimes?) but of course, I know it is about mechanical marvel, challenge and art. Who knows, maybe I will change again?

       5. When and how you discovered horology?

I can still remember when I was 5~6 years old, which was like twenty years ago (seriously?), one day my big brother came home from work. He took out a watch from a brown paper bag, like those from McDonalds (it’s not McDonalds) and handed a watch to me….I have no idea why he bought me a watch but that moment still etched in my memory. I think that was the start of this hobby.
Since then, in my teens, I am somehow hooked to looking at watch ads and window shop watches.
My first summer job in the 90s (told you I’m young, right), I spent all my earning on a Pierre Balmain dress watch, my very first Swiss Made watch.
Then in December same year, I bought the 2^nd one, a Phillip Charriol Celtic watch, both quartz. Later I bought another Carven quartz which I gave to my nephew.
Today, I still have the 1^st 2 Swiss-made watches.
 


My first mechanical watches are Maurice Lacroix Jumping Hour and MontBlanc Power reserve, bought in 1999/2000, also still here.









In 2000, my “boss”, then girlfriend, bought me a Hublot Fusion Dragon LE and that sealed the deal for us



Our watch bugs really flares up in 2010 onwards, when I start buying 3~4 watches every year. I think it is called mid-life crisis, in another word :P. PuristSPro is a culprit as well

  

       6. What element of the watch is for you make it or break it factor?

It used to be just the looks, how nice it looks on my wrist. Now it’s Quality and the heritage of the brand. Limited edition will be an added bonus.
It cannot be a clock, too big (for my wrist).

       7. If you could design your own watch what would it be and what it would look like?

        If I have my own design, it has to be wearable, in terms of size and weight. I think nowadays 38~40mm is good, and not too thick 10mm +/-2 mm.

       Too big or too high is a no-go for me. Eg. My Corum Admiral’s Cup Challenge 44mm Split Sec Chrono will be too big and heavy, like a handcuff, and it’s cast a print on my wrist L

       It will be a PC, has to be round, depending on the metal, Pt, RG, WG, SS, and a matching dial color eg. White metal + Black dial looks great, RG + egg shell dial looks great, to me.       

        

       8. What is the watch that will last leave your collection and why?

Can I say a few? Please? The Pateks, Langes, Rolexes and Omegas…sorry, not going to happen to have the last watch. Need a few for various occasions.

        Ok, how about last 4? 1 from each of the 4 brands above, please? If ok, for today, it’s my Nautilus, 1815HG, Daytona, GMT Batman, Snoopy, Spectre, CK2998, oh come on…can’t do it.

       9. What do you love and hate about watch industry today?

Love – competition is going to make brands produce better quality products, more bang for buck, not necessarily affordable.

       Hate - Getting very expensive, inflation is crazy. Pricing across continents make shopping complicated. Too many grey market dealers. I wish all watches are fixed price so everybody pays the same. Price retention of most watches, I hate to say this word, suck.

       Love and Hate (neutral) - Also, many complications can now be easily achieved by different brands, no longer exclusive but more options.

       10. What was the evolution of your collection and how do you see it in next decade?

Consolidation to only few brands, buy only quality, maybe limited ones that can last the test of time.

        My last 3 exit watches, as I told my boss, have to be carefully chosen. I am now thinking of a PCC, or PC and a nice Chrono (Patek or ALS), a Patek with micro-rotor, and something

        Platinum as I don’t have any Pt watches. My boss can probably approve one of the 3 in 2017 but I feel we are still young, I want to wait and keep looking.

        I will have a special watch arriving soon, supposed to be here in Dec but delayed. Stay tuned.

       11. What other hobbies do you have?

Hobbies are watches, cars, music, food and travel. Typically we try to take vacation at least twice a year. Last 2 years, after a new job, we are fortunate to go 3~4 times a year, local within US and overseas. 2015 highlights was Dubai trip.

        2016 has been great, with 6 vacation trips (Amangiri, Italy, Germany, Prague, Austria, California (2x), Hawaii etc), not sure if I will ever beat this year.

        Most weekend activities are shopping with my wife and try new restaurants. We eat a lot! As you can see from my food posts, those are just 3 of us and we never “to-go” or take away….we are hungry people J

         I also like cars, BMW, Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and all exotics….who doesn’t right? So far I’ve owned 330Ci, X5 4.4i, 535i, 650Ci, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Aston Martin Rapide. I’m fortunate to buy  them brand new but usually keep them for 3 years and then change. As you can see, like watches, I’m into variety and changes. Currently owning a BMW i8 and a Cayenne S, love them. I don’t allow any food in my cars, always garage and hand wash, wax etc.

        I like Bang & Olufsen speakers, like their design, modern, sleek concept. They do sound good.

We do workout 3~4 times a week just to stay healthy, so we can continue to enjoy our hobbies.
Bonus info: My “boss” like handbags and shoes. She has a few Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci,
designer handbags and she has ~100 pairs of shoes…and I have 40+ pairs. I think our previous life must
be a centipede or millipede, which also explains the watch hobby

12. Your life motto and life philosophy is… Enjoy life NOW, while you can. You live NOW. Let bygones be bygones, I like to walk the middle path, don’t like to stay extreme. I’m very happy with my life, what I have now. I keep telling my boss, I’m ready to “go” anytime, no regrets.
You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Don’t wait till you’re on a walker, wheelchair or oxygen tank to enjoy life.
I believe in Buddhism and Karma. I think our life is pre-defined. There are long and short term consequences for the things you do that alter your life now but the overall path is still intact if you do not do anything silly.
For those of us who can enjoy this hobby of watches, cars, food, I say: good for you, you are blessed.

Live life now

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Cheers

PAt

Nice natural trails and many good stuff, say hello if you drop by.
Rgds
Raymond

. . . if the rumored Stones tour goes off. 

Hope to meet up irl then, Ray!

Best,

Art

PS - audiophilia is another shared passion; more of a vinyl 'n tubes kinda guy, though.

Vinyl is hot and reviving, my friend, you are forefront and futuristic.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Rgds
Raymond

always good to learn more about members of the community, but nothing can beat meeting face-to-face, so hopefully one day...

have been to Germany few times, and I like Germany a lot
Rgds
Raymond

A good mix yoiu have in your collection!

maybe it's age thing, I'm going to focus on certain brands only going forward.
Your collection, I heard, is unheard of ...my sincere admiration.
Rgds
Raymond

Always interesting to read about fellow PuristS in depth.

I'm very open and frank, like to be happy and just live life to my fullest, as possible.
I hope to visit the Croatia gang some day and admire your awesome 5370P and other superb watches
Rgds
Raymond

It would be a pleasure to host and have an impromptu GTG.

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May you continue to enjoy life and collecting watches

I deeply appreciate your well wishes and same to you, enjoy life and your hobbies, be able to be with your love ones.
Rgds
Raymond

So happy to meet you and your wife last month in NYC.

I regret for not joining the after-party, but that dangles a nice carrot for me to do in future.
I like to promote Less is More, simple is best, don't make life too complicated....maybe that's why I'm destined to be in the Digital industry, just 1s or 0s.
Rgds
Raymond

And thank you for the always kind and fun comments.

smile a little, make us younger.
Sometimes I may offend people by being too direct, but I don't mean to.
Rgds
Raymond

Raymond, it was a pleasure to meet you and your boss at the Exhibition! Enjoyed talking to you even though it was brief. Hope we'll meet again in the future. -joe

"I'm sure we'll see each other again"....Wait, doesn't this statement sound right? Don't let my "boss" see it or she'll be mistaken for something
Rgds
Raymond

😁

"I think our previous life must be centipede or millipede..." Haha this is so true...

Yes, the meeting in NYC was great and it seems like everyone knows each other for a long time...
Very grateful to know more friends in different parts of the world.
Definitely we'll catch up again, willski.
Rgds
Raymond