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Bernard Cheong shares a deeply personal reflection on his journey as a watch collector and his philosophy on life, challenging traditional notions of wealth, taste, and community interaction. His candid post explores the motivations behind sharing one's passions and possessions, advocating for genuine connection over perceived status.
Man..this is one of those posts that reveal and share how ordinary, often silly, but indifferent person I am.
In the purists, I felt that I was probably the MOST disliked personality...it hurt, and was one of the reasons, the biggest reason, why I left.
I guess I am one of those who are more worried about animal cruelty than wars.
Also, watch collecting is important....but it is a hobby to me.
I hope it makes people genuine, and also...helpful to each other.
It was watch collecting, that made me unpopular because I was the least wealthy, and least likely to buy, customer in my country.
In the early years, the REALLY powerful collectors, they NEVER told people, or showed people, what they had.
I did.
It was considered POOR TASTE, BOASTFUL, and sort of low class.
I guess they were right.
But, being me...I didn't give a rat's ass.
I wanted people to come out and share.
Today, I hope things have changed...that people share. I really dont care if it is showing off....it is fun.
But..for what it is worth....here is what I have to share.
Friends...I now know that REAL friends are VERY happy that you do well, and are celebrating when you get something good.
I am a bit "dumb" here, because I never really understood jealousy or envy, and maybe that hurt me more than anything else.
I love all animals...and maybe that's why I am a doctor.
Car. As a kid, I always wanted to drive and own a cool car. Finally, when I was able to afford a 5 year old used Japanese car in 1978, it changed my life. I must be a shallow person…greater things changed other people’s lives.
High End Audio. Exotic Aquariums. Antiques. Old books…I had been blessed with them all. I gave them away, never sold them, but gave them to people who I guessed would not EVER have spare cash to buy them, ever…but loved to own a set.
I bought a custom hand made Oracle CD Mark3 from a Canadian French maker, because after I had auditioned it, and did rather empirical tests, I found this, paired with the GATO in Class A 150 amps, into Fujitsu Hand made solid, box free, dynamic cone speakers, gave me a sound which I found could better my previous Krell/ Apogee’s transparency and speed.
High End Audio brought me into a world of “superlatives”, beyond the stratosphere of even wine or art…because I was an avid musician since the age of 6.
It taught me about passion, and the cost no object, status no relevance, state of mind.
I was fascinated with CNC machine work.
Today, I think I was early, in using 3D printing way back in 2007...
I realised that even in cutting this remote controls...the precision required a GREAT deal of SKILL.
This GATO remote weighs 1kg...and is milled from a SOLID block of stainless 916L steel.
Wrist watches. These taught me about life.
Because it taught me about how people would be and behave, at their worse…during peacetime.
Wrist watches taught me about self awareness. I know that I buy a platinum brand X because of the status. However, many times, I did not know I bought a brand because of status.
I thought I knew that posting pictures of one's own watches was "showing off" and "boastful", but I never understood another facet....envy.
That was a HUGE mistake.
Trust me, I wanted to show off these watches, but sharing them was more imprtant to me.
I could not understand the anonymous power of posting too...which was why I never had a anonymous post. Mistake.
I loved the DB28.
It was a watch I saved up for...took me a long time.
I also collected almost ALL of Marc Newson's watches.
I loved MB&F because I liked Max Busser.
He is a good man.
Although he is 12 years younger than I am...I admired him.
Finally….I enjoyed the fruits of labour…being able to afford incredible cameras, although I was self aware that my photography sucked.
Owning a Leica or a Sony RX1, taught me about people, and how honest or dismissive they are.
I learned to make a lot of money.
There is no secret. GOD came first. Health. Hard work. Some degree of advertising. Good parents and wife and kids. God. Guts to be honestly blunt. Help people, with NO thoughts or expectations of returns. And going back to the Bible, GOD.
The singular God I worship…Jesus.
I bet he would have worn a Vianney Halter.
I bet he would not have been a Patek person.
Ulysse Nardin.
It was the only conservative brand I liked. Although they made some GREAT crazy stuff.
The FREAK was to me, just a thing I wanted. It was cool in 2002, and is still cool in 2013.
Also....
Because Rolf was incredibly humble, at least to me.
I found him REAL.
I collect everything.
I like OMEGA as a brand and as a company.
They appear to be the "underdog", but I suspect otherwise.
They are just HUGE.
The Ploprof forms the center of my Omega collection.
I love the utilitarian look, and that the apparent step, between the crown guard and case, is made to look as if it is an error.
Oh.
I missed the auction.
But...I managed to buy it off the winner.
This HM4 Panda, is special to me...more later when I post the pics of it after I wear it for a few weeks.
My 10 by 10 feet room, where I work.
That’s life.
I earned every penny from this 10 by 10 room…..in a humble township.
Enough to collect some really fun watches.
Buy a few nice cars for parents.
Finally…loving people surrounded me. Thanks for all these.
Also…I wish to say that I am a GREAT fan of SJX, and it was sad to see him leave.
I love my work.
It is stress free because I don't need the money.
I actually can help folks, because I can treat them free of charge.
De Bethune DB28 Reference DB28
The DB28 represents De Bethune's approach to contemporary haute horlogerie, featuring the brand's distinctive floating lug design within a 42.6mm case format. This reference showcases the manufacture's technical capabilities through its extended power reserve specification and proprietary movement caliber.
The 42.6mm titanium case houses the manual-winding caliber DB2115, delivering a 120-hour power reserve. The silver dial is protected by sapphire crystal, while the characteristic floating lugs define the case architecture. Water resistance extends to 30 meters, and the watch is completed with a leather strap.
This reference appeals to collectors focused on independent Swiss manufacture capabilities and contemporary case design. The DB28 represents De Bethune's technical approach to manual-winding movements, particularly notable for collectors interested in extended power reserve complications. Production commenced in 2010, positioning this reference within the brand's modern catalog offerings.
Its nice to see someone with so much passion about many things. Its a privilege to read your opinions.
great to have you continue to post and share your passion. This site would not be the same without your presense! Keep'm coming! S
why you would feel that you have to leave, but then again I do not fit the nominal PuristS mold. I think we need these posts for perspective, as the limit between sharing and postings versus bragging and boasting is not sharply defined.
Hi Bernard, As living in a country where living with too much happiness is (nearly) something to hide when come bad times, I fully understand your points. Most of the people who get pleasure from life have rarely obtained it from stealing. As you said, the real friends/relatives, who really know what your are and what you deserve, are happy for you when you succeed and enjoy life. May you keep on "spoiling" the ones you love, including yourself, despite what closed-minded people may say. Here, o
sadly the freak has gone, but you are still here to give us inspiration in having fun with watches. if it wasnt fun i would give up. best Graham.
The comment I get has to be " this is the watch which the mad doctor collector is wearing !" I lose my boasting rights ! :) You are a celebrity in this hobby . Like it or not ? And probably how I was acquainted with vianney's work and eventually own one with no regret . You may be boasting, I care not, but I am definitely enjoying your extreme comments and posts, i remembered once you strapped an expensive watch on a car to stress test it . That is entertainment and created a common topic among
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