bernard cheong
7182
Goodfellas too wear tourbillons, repeaters and some RM002
I love this picture...not because I happen to bein it, but...that in Singapore, Thailand and Macau where all these gentlemen who are lurkers here in thePuristS.com are all guys in their late 40s to 50s wear very "heavy" watches!
Well, these are not the art collectors, doctors, lawyers, or investment bankers, but "good fellas"! My very own ex military men who have done very well for themselves as "security consultants", " managers of model agencies", "producers", "book keepers", " club owners"...
There was a time when these great guys all wore only ONE watch, the solid gold Rolex President!
Today, the guy on the your left, a "club owner" who carries a Glock 19 to work everyday. He had once exchanged fire with the 9mm Glock in a public street in Amsterdam where one of his clubs operate. His watch, an IWC grand Complication during that assault on him, he was carrying the nights takings. Today, he wears an IWC cal5000 tourbillon in RG.
Next to him, the guy in the red T, is "fat boy", another owner of a famous KTV club in Thailand. He does not carry, but wears a Vacheron Repeater, always surrounded by the most beautiful women.
In the white shirt, is "black dog", named after his previous job in Hong Kong as an enforcer. Today, he runs a very respectable modeling agency. They have all the great girls for the best parties! His watch, a RG RM002.
The guy in the blue T? He wears an RM009. His job...a "book keeper".
The one with the red batik shirt is a kind of "banker" when you need cash, no questions asked. His favorite watch? "A cheap Patek 5059", cos "it has a good resale value"..but he wears an RM 002 to work everyday, " you have to show that you're good for the money...you know."
Then there's me...a nice guy. Hurt? Bleeding? I'll help..no questions asked. My favorite watch, the IWC repeater ...with these old friends..they sorta like things done the old way.
Rolex has lost some ground in the east here...but RM seems to be the accoutrement of choice.
Now..isn't that a change of scenery from the old pretty society party pics?
What I found most encouraging is that these friends of mine have started to buy some really good watches, to match their Lamborghinis and Bentleys! Just 4 years ago..they would only think of a Rolex!
I have known these tough "good fellas" for over three decades, and there is just an unspoken honour among friends here. Even if its business, and I think these guys have always operated within the law...but whatever, I trust them with my life.
That's why they also trust my recomendation in watches, although they haven't bought any Vianney Halter's just yet...but I think one of them has ordered an Antiqua already.
I really like the seriously broad base of readers and visitors we have here on thePuristS.com!!!
Nothing like catching up with old friends. One good guy is missing here though, sadly he was shot in the back of the head in 1999, collecting bad debts can be risky.
