Hi there, could you give a brief introduction of yourself? What do you think of the watch scene now?
My name is Marc and I’m the person behind the IG account @mywatchstory.sg! My journey into watches is still relatively quite short compared to many other collectors out there but I am always open to meeting others and learning about their journeys into watches hence the IG name.
My favourite watch brands now are Seiko and Bell & Ross! With regards to the watch scene now, I can only speak from my limited experience so far. I have found it to be extremely exciting and energizing as there are many small communities of collectors with varying interests! There are also many young watch collectors which surprised me as I initially thought I would meet many older adults. This fact is the most intriguing as I am seeing that many younger people are becoming more financially savvy and realizing what a great asset a watch can be.
How did the passion for luxury watches come about and what is it about watches that draws you to them?
The passion for watches really started with the purchase of a Zenith Defy 21 El Primero for my dad’s retirement and 62nd birthday. The watch allowed my dad and I to be amazed at the technological wonders that go into watchmaking, and especially when seeing the chronograph fly around the dial at 360,000 VPH, measuring 1/100th of a second!
I have begun to slowly understand my taste in watches and which pieces I am drawn to. I have begun to realise that I appreciate uniqueness, whether it is a brand, a collection or a particular piece. Right now, I am really proud of my vintage Oris Pointer Date and my Seiko Superior collection.
Tell us more about your very first luxury watch story. How did you come to own that piece?
My first luxury watch (>SGD10,000) is my Bell & Ross BR05 Skeleton Blue. The opportunity to own this watch came to me in Aug 2020 as I was being promoted to a new job at a new company. This was a huge moment for me as it was a move that I had been very excited for and I wanted a watch to commemorate this event! The B&R boutique really made this such an amazing experience by getting a serial number that is also special to me! A huge shout out to Shane and the team!
Let’s talk about your watch collection. What is your favorite watch in your collection and could you tell us the significance of it? Was it a milestone acquisition or does it have sentimental value?
I have 2 watches that hold significant sentimental value to me as they were passed down to me from my dad and bear the Airline Pilots Association – Singapore logo and reflects my dad’s career in the aviation industry and the work he had put in to build a happy home for my brother and I. These watches are also limited edition which makes owning them even more special (100 pieces for the Breitling and 18 pieces for the B&R)!
What will your next watch acquisition be?
Have not thought about it yet as I am still enjoying my Bell & Ross piece, but if I ever do see a Grand Seiko SBGM235 in the market at a good price, I’m definitely pulling the trigger!
