Horological Meandering

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!!!)

And nice pics, and Awesome collection! 

I like your philosophy. May the collection bring you and future generations many years of happiness!

Rob

nt

and to think that you have not worn any one of them.

Whilst it is true that I don't necessairly buy for investment, I don't really want to through my money out of the windows so I choose carefully (or I like to think so) and I must confess that some of the watches I have ordered have not been touched or I have been advised not to touch them when I finally get them.

So I figure that some of what you say it true.

 

Best regards,

 

george

The oldest pieces are the Antiqua 1997 and the Goldpfeil 1997...hardly any scratches...maybe 10 to 12...which I like.

The small scuffs, too small to be seen with eyes like mine..are memories.

I am glad to hear thaty you actually wear them.

 

Best regards,

 

George

NT

nt

...of watch collecting. I first came to know you or read about you in Watchtime when they did a profile on you where you lined up your watches across iron rod connecting weights, gosh, what do you call it...with your Spiderman comics collection as the background, and there were pics of you holding a saxophone, i think you were wearing a white jacket with matching pants i think and you were advocating independents such VH and a few more, that was back in 2003 or 2004, cannot quite remember or was it 2006, and of course in many other publications.i have to refer to my study, and to this day, your taste have not changed and there is still a lot of passion in your love for watches. Always enjoyed reading your posts expecially whe there is a story to tell. Will you continue purchasing and collecting rare, hard to find, made-to-order watches? I rarely see you buying Pateks or Langes or did i miss any in your posting of your watch pics? Do you have Pateks in your collection? If not, is there any reason why this particular brands are not in your collection. Thx. Keith. This message has been edited by KCKL on 2011-03-01 06:58:21 This message has been edited by KCKL on 2011-03-01 07:03:50

In the early years, before the merging of the big brands...I have been a good friend of Gunther Blumlein.

His untimely and sudden death left me with much sadness, and I closed the collection of Langes with the last piece he showed o me..the Datograph.

Till this day, I have a similar box, with 8 pieces of Langes all from the Blumlein days...with Richard Habring, Axel Foley and Dr Muller..now all resigned.

That box, is left for another story.

Patek and I parted ways after the resignation of the Singapore lady who used to look after the brand here, and I used to buy them ..."alot" is a mild word. I NEVER show them, because they are firstly not even relevant compared to what the others here and in other forums own...I am what I would label an insignificant Patek collector.

Showing my Pateks simply demonstrates my "buying power" or lack of, which I find not of any useful contribution.

No message body

and a great watch case...

awesome pieces...

It is costly, but probably the least in depreciation!

...because money is no longer an issue.  You are chasing for something which is able to satisfy you emotionally, mentally or may be spiritually and fill up the "missing link" in your life.  A poor man will never understand that.

You have very interesting collection of watches. Please show us your other boxes.

Regards

Ling

But you are correct.

I would be buying with almost full power at top gear and at full trottle...but the rich guys, some spend 0.1% of their income, and they will beat me..flat.

I am like an old, classic car...still rpistine...but driven by a modest income man.

However, I run on a special fuel...it's made in heaven!!! Not under the soil.

You plan to retire this box for the next generation?

Cheers

I think that together with my 2 boxes of Pateks, THIS box will be a more interesting box than all the rest! In 2028.

I will still be around though ..in 2028!

Darn....how I love the LV box and it's content!! And your knowledge and passion is suer infectious!

Best,

Horo

Jeremy!!!! Don't die yet!!!

Please tell him he need to move beyond breitling and omegas. Tell hiim I wanna see him in a ariel atom sporting a VH antigua!!

Best,

HoroK

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before i try my own!!

best, Horo

It is difficult to agree with much of what you say or do, and impossible to agree with some of it.

But you have my respect and also gratitude for being a friend. Congrats on the position with the FHH - you deserve it!

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-03-01 10:18:28

I have always wanted a Cartier, but never dared to wear one as I was a bit rough at the edges.

Now that I am older and milder, I will want to look at a few of these babies.

But I will have to start with the jeweled ones and gold...I like those.

It's like a journey you bring us along, at the risk and expense of yourself alone. We just selfishly sit back to watch.
I have great respect of your vision and gut. You continue to inspire me about the passion of life . Thank you Bernard
Lovesss*CL

I cannot belive that the internet is so tame these days.

Even a hint of rebellion or wildness is not tolerated.

 

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Carry that case and enjoy your fruits!!

Julian

Unlike the interest in food and cars, the watch industry must never nuture an exclusive snotty nature...exclusivity is to be supported by its depth of history and art, not $$$$ and not fame..and that will be quite a task that I have set myself.

That is my prime task at the FIHH.

This message has been edited by bernard cheong on 2011-03-01 21:40:26

mine is pleasantly active seeing this fantastic and idiosyncratic collection. This reads a bit like a valedictory note, if so that is sad, but all the best for your endeavours -

 

best

 

Andreas