When he received his university tuition fees and a few months of rent from his family in advance, he invested it in an OMEGA Speedmaster watch. Fortunately, his application for a scholarship was granted, and his education and accommodation were secured.
These days, he earns his salary as metallurgist and consultant, and spends almost every free minute researching watches and material science. The horological peak of @mochi_watches‘ time as a collector was when when one day, he received a call from his local retailer, who offered to sell him a Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5726A.
What part of collecting mechanical watches most appeals to you?
As a kid, I used to be really curious about how things work. I had my own toolbox and lab, which my dad bought me for my birthday, and I used to open up anything that I could get my hands on. My dad has this old rectangular platinum hand-finished case from Baume & Mercier and one day, I opened the caseback. I was mesmerised by the hand-wound movement. Once I started studying material science, I would put all of the watches under a microscope and start looking at the watch at high magnification; the calibre, finishing etc. – I love to get lost in the details. I also enjoy researching and seeking out new pieces.
What is your everyday watch that you can always rely on?
To be fair, I don’t have that many watches and I tend to wear them all in rotation. Lately, my Rolex GMT-Master II and my Patek Philippe Ref. 5711/1A have been getting the most wrist time.
What is your finest dress watch?
Most of my watches are sporty and due to the nature of my work, I don’t tend to wear many formal outfits, but if I do have to wear formal attire, I usually wear my Cartier Ballon Bleu (on either a black or blue strap) or my Patek Philippe Ref. 5212A with a brown strap.
What is your dream watch? And why?
The Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph is in my opinion the ultimate Patek watch to own – it has all features of a true dream watch: Wearable case size, vintage charm and a stunning finishing on both movement and dial.
What would be the perfect collection of five watches for you today?
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5712/1A
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Selfwinding in 39 mm
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Cartier Tank Cintrée in Platinum
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Resonance in Platinum
Daytona
Cover image © @mochi_watches (Instagram)
