Collection
GLau embarks on an ambitious series, delving into the horological legacy of Chamnong Bhirombhakdi, a revered Patek Philippe collector. This inaugural piece sets the stage, introducing readers to the man behind the legendary collection and the family history that shaped his passion. GLau's meticulous approach, including interviews with Bhirombhakdi's children, cbb and Khun Nick, promises an intimate and accurate portrayal of a collecting journey that transcends mere acquisition.
of stories based on interviews with cbb and her family members about her family’s horological journeys, starting with her father’s (Chamnong Bhirombhakdi, a renowned Patek collectors worldwide). The purposes of these stories are to understand more about what Khun (a polite way to address a person in Thai language) Chamnong was like as an individual, what created & drove his passion for watches, what was his collection like, and how his horological passion impacted his next generations.
Background information before we begin: With the popularity of posts by cbb, whose full name for her handle is “cbb in honor of Chamnong Bhirombhakdi”, I felt the need to get deeper into the stories behind Khun Chamnong in order to share his passion and collection with the forum. Given potential privacy concerns, initially I was hesitant to approach cbb with my suggestion. When I did broach the idea with her, cbb was very gracious and agreed to be interviewed. Furthermore, she convinced her brother (Khun Nick) to join so that more stories and accurate information could be provided! Kudos to cbb and Khun Nick for being so generous with their time & family stories and for reviewing my posts for accuracy!
Worldwide Khun Chamnong was known as a passionate Patek fan with an amazing and sizeable collection. Generally he enjoyed collecting all the metals for certain references and loved minute repeaters. Furthermore, he was often double-wristed. Although we do not know the actual number of watches in his collection, SIZE, in this case, is NOT the most important matter because his passion and appreciation for Patek were unsurpassed. However, what was his first watch, which was his first Patek, and why did he like watches? To understand his collection, first let’s learn more about him and the Bhirombhakdi family.
Bhirombhakdi is a prominent family in Thailand because Khun Chamnong’s father started Singha beer and built the first beer factory there in 1930’s. Prior to that, beer was imported and was expensive for the Thai general public. His father, an entrepreneur in the transportation business, was introduced to beer in his late 50s and subsequently the business idea of a Thai made beer was “brewed” up. Upon “retirement” from the transportation business, his father spent six months in Europe visiting breweries and farms for sourcing raw materials for what became Singha beer. Eventually the consumers in Thailand (a country with four seasons of hot, hotter, a lot hotter and hottest weather) would enjoy affordable and great tasting beer to cool down!
Singh beer started out and remains to this day as a family business. As the youngest in the family, Khun Chamnong had to be educated in the UK first before he could join and worked his way up the ladder during the late 1950s. Eventually he headed up the financial side of the business.
Ever since a young age, he learned the virtue of punctuality in life and business, and his personal and family motto was grounded in this quality. Hence, a watch was important for him so that he could always be punctual, and being on-time was a key factor that drove his passion for timepieces. While a teenager in high school, his father gave him his first watch, an Omega, and this piece officially started his journey!
As a side story: Unfortunately I was late by 5 minutes for the video interview due to some technical difficulties encountered. Both cbb (while on the road) and Khun Nick were punctually waiting for me. I hereby formally apologize to them both for my lateness. Darn, I should have worn my Patek that day !
Interesting during the late 70s/early 80s when the digital age boomed, he loved electronic gadgets, especially digital watches. His son Khun Nick, who was studying in the US then, was asked to buy him a Pulsar watch from Tiffany in New York. Hence before Patek, he had digital watches from Seiko, Citizen and other brands.
Only in his 40s did he felt the need for a Patek as he wanted more serious timepieces. Since he was not a big person, he had small wrists and did not like to wear big Rolex sports watches even though this brand was very popular in Asia and amongst his business network. Hence, he began eyeing classic and classy Patek watches that were smaller and more suitable for him.
Surprisingly, his first Patek was obtained NOT from an AD, but from a TRADE with his friend in mid 70s Apparently his friend was provided with a Patek as a gift, but he told Khun Chamnong that he preferred a Rolex instead. As a smart businessman, he simply bought a Rolex and then traded it for the Patek. This watch carries the reference number 2594J and became his first love with Patek.
Even though he was part of a very successfully family business, Khun Chamnong had to worked through the ranks and was careful in his watch spending in the 60’s to early 80’s. Khun Nick recalled that when they were visiting Hong Kong for several days in the early 80s, his father saw at a Piaget quartz watch housed in a square case at a shop and wanted it badly. Holding off the immediate urge, he actually went back to the shop every day for several days to ensure that he really like the watch before purchasing it eventually.
Starting with his first Patek 2594J and after mid 80s, his Patek journey began in earnest and became fast and furious! 😇
Some of his early Patek trophies were the 3940s, Patek 150th anniversary pieces and others (can you name them?).
What do you think of Khun Chamnong’s journey so far? Where did he go into the 90s and beyond ? More stories and photos of his journey and collection to come soon hopefully with the generous contributions from cbb and her family members !
The Patek Philippe Reference 2594 is a notable example of mid-century watchmaking, representing a period when the brand produced a variety of time-only dress watches. This reference is characterized by its understated design, focusing on classic proportions and high-quality finishing. It stands as a testament to the brand's enduring commitment to traditional horology, appealing to collectors who appreciate purity of form in a wristwatch.
This particular example features a platinum case, a material often reserved for Patek Philippe's more exclusive offerings. The case measures 32 mm in diameter, a size consistent with men's dress watches of its era. It houses the manual-winding Caliber 23-300, a movement known for its slim profile and reliability. The watch is fitted with a crystal, protecting a dial that typically presents a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
The Reference 2594 appeals to collectors seeking a refined and historically significant Patek Philippe timepiece. Its design reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the 1950s, making it a distinctive piece within the brand's vintage catalog. While often seen in yellow gold, examples in platinum are less common, adding to their appeal for those interested in rare material variations.
...if one has wealth, I can think of few better things to spend it on than watches (charity being another), of course). Also, very nice to know that the 'kids' are passionate as well...this is not always the case : )
Cbb's watch collection has been a point of interest from early on. The story behind the collection promises to be intriguing. Thank you for doing us all this service. M4
I'll need to try that beer one day!
My thanks to the family.
The fact that I did not write about charity does not mean he was not charitable, correct ?
time soon for another round of interviews !
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