Watch Enthusiast Life WS-san: "I think this is the first Longines to be officially imported to Japan."

WS is a renowned figure in the antiques field. He began collecting watches in the 1970s and now has a vast collection of over several thousand watches, including rare timepieces. You might think he must have a lot of money, but that's not the case. His passion for collecting and the strong bonds he has built with the people he has worked with have transformed him from a young man who once admired a Constellation into a world-class antique collector.

"When you let go of things, new things come to you and you have even more fun."

　WS is a big collector known only to those in the know. He is a rare figure worldwide, collecting a wide variety of items regardless of genre. Moreover, as he has been collecting watches for a long time, he has a mountain of rare pieces that you won't even find at auction. W first became fascinated with watches when he was in his twenties.

"Before that, I had Seiko watches and other brands. But when I saw Patek Philippe and Omega, I realized that watches were great. I especially admired the Constellation."

　Having been awakened to the charm of watches by so-called "imported watches," Mr. W subsequently began to visit watch shops all over the country whenever he had the time, steadily building up a collection of mechanical watches.

"I started collecting watches in the 1980s. Quartz watches had become popular, so old mechanical watches were being sold off at bargain prices. In the 70s and 80s, you could buy old watches at list price. For me, it was like looking at a treasure trove."

　What catches the eye in his collection is the astonishing quantity and quality of his collection of Japanese-made watches. Rare models, complete with boxes and warranties, are lying around like ordinary timepieces. Among them are many now-legendary Observatory Chronometer-spec and VFA-certified Grand Seiko watches, making them no ordinary collection.

"Grand Seiko and King Seiko are popular now, but during the bubble period, no one paid any attention to them. I bought them when they weren't that popular. I started collecting them because I thought they would probably disappear if I continued collecting them."

　Mr. W calmly explains rare pieces, showing no signs of self-exhibitionism. Some collectors like to say, "I bought that," "How much I paid for it," and "How cheap it was," but he simply shows me the watches he owns and quietly tells me the stories behind them. "Oh, that's right," he mutters to himself, bringing out an old pocket watch from another room. Made of solid silver with a key winding mechanism, it's the kind of watch you might find anywhere. When I asked him what was so interesting about it, Mr. W gave me a concise explanation.

"This Longines has serial number 33. I think it was the first Longines to be officially imported into Japan. It was delivered to the Imperial Household."

　As many testimonies indicate, Emperor Meiji, who led Japan's modernization, was an avid fan of mechanics and watches. This Longines watch, manufactured in 1868 and imported to Japan, was likely one of his "imperial possessions." Normally, he would be more arrogant, but Mr. W is like this in everything he does.

　"I think this is interesting too," he said, showing me a hand-wound Rolex from the 1930s. Personally, I was drawn to the Perpetual Moon Phase and a pre-Daytona chronograph that came in the same box, but if he was so keen to mention it, it must be interesting.

"This is the first Explorer." Indeed, upon closer inspection, the word "EXPLORER" is written on the dial. I never imagined that such a watch existed, let alone in Japan. I wonder how much it would fetch if it were put up for auction.

　It goes without saying that Mr. W is also a successful businessman. Otherwise, he would not have been able to collect thousands of rare watches. However, what enabled him to build such an extensive collection was not money, but rather obsession. Mr. W spoke quietly.

"I saw a Junghans clock in a watch shop. I fell in love with it at first sight and asked the shop owner if I could have it. He immediately told me to leave."

　The following year, he visited the same store. He was turned away again. The same thing happened the third year. After three failed attempts, most people would give up. However, Mr. W visited the store again the following year.

"In the end, it didn't work out. By the fourth year, the shopkeeper said, 'Oh, come again!'" Having been turned down, he returned the following year, again with no success. "When I returned in the sixth year, the shopkeeper told me I was being too persistent. He asked me how much I wanted it for, and I finally got it."

　It may be rude to say this, but what he wanted was not a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph, but a regular Junghans clock. You could easily find one on eBay or at Crot. However, he wanted this particular clock, so he spent six years constantly searching for it, and finally got it. Obsession is a common trait among great collectors, but Mr. W's obsession is exceptional. Incidentally, he also has a mountain of watch-related materials stored somewhere. Could he possibly be the only ordinary person in the world who owns a complete copy of "International Clock Communication"? He doesn't talk big, but he knows more than a casual antique dealer.

　So, did Mr. W treasure the Junghans that he went to such lengths to acquire? Interestingly, the answer is no.

"I had been using a Junghans clock for a long time, but someone begged me to give it to them, so I sold it. I went to his house to have it installed. He has been using it ever since."

　Why did he give up the watch he was so passionate about? When I heard the answer, it all made sense.

"I don't collect watches, and I don't have any rule against selling good or rare items. I give them to people who really want them. And when they do, they bring friends. When you let go of things, new things come your way, and you have even more fun."

　It's like the story of the Straw Millionaire. It's hard to believe, but the mountains of rare pieces prove his words true.

　In addition to the watches shown in the photo, he also owns many rare pieces from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and more, not to mention Rolex. But he doesn't necessarily like those kinds of watches.

"What I like are watches that evoke a sense of human will. It doesn't matter whether they're expensive or cheap, or rare or not. For example, Audemars Piguet's skeleton watches. The current models are very well made, but they somehow lack character."

　He took out a watch. It was a prototype-like skeleton watch that appeared to be based on the "Homer." It wasn't a well-made watch by any stretch of the imagination, but Mr. W said it was the watch he had the most attachment to.

"This was made by an old man who works at a watch shop in Kyushu, who copied what he saw. It's a bit rough, isn't it? But don't you sense his determination to make it his own?"

　It all made sense. There's no doubt that Mr. W, who has built up such a large collection, is a genuine watch lover. But isn't it people and the encounters he has with them that he is truly fascinated by? How enriching his journey through watches is.