Meet the 24-year-old millennial with the S$1.4-million watch collection
Not everyone can say they ain a Cartier Pasha, Breitling Navitimer and IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph. Fewer nonetheless can lay claim to them before the age of 16. But now at the age of 24, Shoyo Kawamura is apace becoming the face of a new generation of collectors. When asked how many luxury timepieces he owns now, Kawamura remained coy.
"I feel that collecting timepieces is an endless game and I tin can give you lot a number only if my passion for timepieces finish and that I stop acquiring them," he told CNA Luxury. Well, co-ordinate to The New York Times, that number amounted to about US$1 million (S$1.36 million) in late 2018.
It's enough to cause lips to purse and fists to tighten (or relax into a dismissal wave) simply Kawamura's privilege is backed by genuine curiosity and a passion to share and proceeds more knowledge. Which is why he co-founded the #PatekAcademy community on Instagram (where else?), where like-minded individuals tin can bond over watches at decadent go-togethers Kawamura organises in Singapore.
It'southward a natural outcome from a recipe made upward of youth, social media, abundance and horology, just what is perhaps more surprising is Kawamura's interest in vintage watches. "I'm realising that there is just then much more to learn well-nigh them. Vintage timepieces are miraculously intriguing," he said. "Information technology displays the history and adroitness of the manufacturer and, despite being older than me, these pieces are yet serving their purpose."
This interest is spreading among his peers as well. "At that place is definitely a strong growth of millennial collectors of vintage timepieces. They are the ones who have acquired modern pieces and take decided to experiment on vintage," he shared. "Thanks to blogs and social media, vintage timepieces are being represented and talked about on a daily footing."
While he has yet to be able to pinpoint what exactly it is about vintage watches that resonate with his generation, Kawamura understands i critical truth. "We're not merely looking for a timepiece, we are looking for an experience." And hunting downwardly a vintage sentry definitely qualifies as an adventure. Now that he'due south working as an intern at auction house Phillips, he'southward learning that it's not as easy it sounds. "There are plenty of them on the market place, but only a small per centum would fit collectors' expectations. An immense corporeality of research has to be done so y'all don't overpay for a quack case. So what I feel appeals most to such collectors is the process of finding the right piece, from the right catamenia, in the right condition."
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Having a customs is also key. Since his is a generation that has ready admission to all sorts of information (for better or for worse), it'south only a matter of connecting with those who are keen on the same things. "Having a sense of belonging allows millennials to develop their passion and so share information technology with other members of their community," he explained. "Similar with anything collectible, there are always subcultures that develop in these groups, and an active community is how information technology spreads."
That being said, Kawamura noted that the majority of collectors his age still prefer gimmicky models. Brands like Richard Mille have gained young fans through its experimental and robust case materials, complicated yet aesthetically pleasing movements and its numerous sports ambassadors. "When your brand is mentioned in rap lyrics y'all know y'all've been well-received."
Even among more than established collecting circles, vintage watches didn't really take off until recently. At present, not only are these old tickers shattering auction records and showing up in fashion-frontwards boutiques, watchmakers are fifty-fifty making new watches look like previously retired ones. And immature claret similar Kawamura could generate even more excitement around the trend. "I joined Phillips' watches section in Asia three months prior to our spring auctions, and my experience could not have been meliorate. I witnessed and participated in the cosmos of something neat," he enthused.
Kawamura is referring to the Phillips & Blackbird: Sports auction held on May 27, which included sporty gems similar the Omega Speedmaster Apollo Eleven 1969 and a Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 from the 1940s. Non only was it the kickoff auction to be curated by an Asian collector – Blackbird's chairman TK Mak – it was also the first white glove sale in Asia, where all 82 lots were sold.
Even if he didn't accept #PatekAcademy, Kawamura volition never feel alone in his love affair with fine timepieces. "At the end of the day anyone with the same passion every bit me is part of a family, and non one restricted by one facet of the community. Groups are just for rounding them up within a urban center or country so we can encounter face up-to-confront." Oh, to be young over again.
THE WATCHES ON SHOYO KAWAMURA'S WISH List
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 1463
"Every bit I accept decided to focus my drove on chronographs, perpetual calendars and perpetual calendar chronographs, I accept always hoped to acquire a Ref. 1463 in steel every bit information technology was the first ever waterproof chronograph serially produced by the manufacturer."
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3448
"Another cute example featured in the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Sale: Viii. Information technology was the beginning serially produced self-winding perpetual agenda wristwatch produced past Patek Philippe."
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 2499
"This yellow gilt reference was featured in the Phillips & Blackbird: Sports sale. This is a must-have for any Patek Philippe collector. It is the most well-proportioned and timeless wristwatch produced by whatsoever manufacturer, and it is still in line with today's trends."
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 1518
"I know I'm punching above my weight form simply the Ref. 1518 in steel is my dream lookout man. This would be my ultimate goal, though it is just a dream at the moment."
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/obsessions/millennial-watch-collectors-240036
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