A watch enthusiast's life in Hong Kong DY: "I've been collecting watches little by little, making full use of auctions."

DY has loved mechanical things since he was a child. However, before he could immerse himself in the world of watches as a hobby, he had to wait a long time until he had completed his studies and established a foundation for his life. It is precisely because of this hardship that he has persevered and steadily selected only the watches he truly loves. Take a look at DY's honest collection, from which you can sense his pride, and his remarkable way of turning adversity to his advantage in life.

"Believe in expertise. That's how I've built my collection and my business."

　What is it that makes people buy mechanical watches? DY says he's loved taking things apart since he was a child. He loved breaking down and analyzing complex things into minute parts. One particularly memorable moment was when he managed to take apart an alarm clock shaped like Britain's Big Ben, only to find that he was powerless and unable to put it back together again - a bitter memory. However, as the saying goes, a child's character lasts for a lifetime, and when you take a bird's-eye view of Y's current collection, you can see that it is dominated by original models with complex mechanisms that stimulate a sense of playfulness. This is true of Ulysse Nardin's Freak, FP Journe's Vagabondage, and MB&F.

　There seem to be two main types of watch collectors. Those who never wear their watches and keep them carefully stored in a collection box, and those who actually use their watches, wear them to the max, and play with them to the max. Judging from his childhood stories and the contents of his current watch collection, Mr. Y clearly falls into the latter category. However, when it comes to watches, he seems to prefer a more classic look.

　As you can see from the way he talks, Mr. Y is a straightforward man who has carefully examined each piece in his collection, carefully selecting and building it. When explaining the watches, he picks each one up and talks about its appeal. His expression as he talks about the details of each watch is as passionate as he talks about himself, as if he wants you to get to know him better.

　Mr. Y says.

"Until the 1980s, I was so focused on my studies that I had no time at all and no time to pursue hobbies."

　Although he now enjoys several hobbies that fall into the category of what are known as "men's hobbies," including watches, cameras, and classic cars, and even has garages and collection rooms at his home and office, he must have been so devoted to his studies that he had to give up his hobbies before achieving his current position.

　His efforts during his training paid off, and he was accepted into the prestigious Columbia University in the United States, where he majored in computer science. After graduating, he acquired the IT skills that he uses today, and took advantage of the current trends to work in the IT industry for a long time.

　He says that traveling around the world for work was beneficial in the early days of his watch collecting.

"In the early 1990s, Windows hadn't yet become widespread, and of course the Internet hadn't yet become widespread either. So I studied abroad and was posted to work in the UK, the US, Japan, and Singapore, and I looked for watches in each of those places, and also made good use of auctions, and gradually built up my collection."

　It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is this tenacity that has led to this collection, which is centered around unique and complicated watches.

"I lived in Japan from 93 to 96. At the time, mechanical watches were already becoming increasingly popular in Japan, but antique watches far surpassed those of today in both quality and quantity. It was a great time when I was able to find the watch I wanted in good condition, quantity, and at a good price."

　After leaving Japan, he returned to Hong Kong between 1996 and 1998. During this time, the Asian currency crisis began with the collapse of the Thai baht in July 1997. The devaluation of the Russian ruble in August 1998 also affected major American hedge funds, spreading its repercussions to developed economies. While the economic crisis was certainly dire, ironically, it also had a positive effect on his watchmaking hobby. Many wealthy individuals sold off their luxury watches during this unprecedented economic climate, creating a golden opportunity to acquire rare models at lower prices than usual. Y seized this opportunity, acquiring a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph 5004 and an A. Lange & Söhne pocket watch refurbished for wristwatches at prices unimaginable today through auctions and dealers. Everything in life is like a horse lurking in the distance.

　This experience taught Mr. Y great lessons and gave him insights. Namely, to turn adversity to his advantage. And because every field has its connoisseurs, or experts, he must trust and utilize their expertise. With this experience and wisdom, Mr. Y was able to solidify not only his own business, but also his watch collection, which continues to this day.

　From 98 to 2000, I was posted to Singapore, and as the economic crisis subsided, my main business picked up again. Traveling between New York, London, Tokyo, and Singapore, I was able to find the perfect watch in the perfect location. Perhaps, in the world of watchmaking, there is always a way to learn. It is in adversity that we learn.