1978 and on, and on, and on, you will end up writing the end >
My first watch was when I was 8 and it was a…Comex…No I am kidding of course, it was a Timex, bought for me because I waited 2 long hours in the car. What ever the meaning of this new watch, I was worried that it meant more hours in the car, only worse, because I would be able to now see the time passing.
Later at 14, I was given an Aquastar, those days them watches were very popular because they were the Cousteau watches, only a few weeks later I destroyed that watch against a moped carburettor, That one I regret!
At 16, I am of to town to buy myself a watch with 2000 Frs (300 euro) I ended with a Tudor, sadly gone with the sea 2 weeks later!
At 17, my father gifted my mother and his kids with a Santos Cartier, This was my first very expensive and known piece.
From the age of 20, I started buying, enjoying and exchanging watches, Cartier, Rolex, Heuer, Dunhill, Patek, Breitling...
In the early 80’s, I highly value my wear of a Heuer that was on my wrist for a long 18 months, it has gone, I miss it!
Late 20’s going in my 30’s
At the age of 28, I started getting serious about watches, I started buying and keeping all fine watches, as well as going as deep as possible in the history of those pieces and brands, amassing the stuff I could learn around watches and the people behind them.
In my 30’s, I progressed in collecting and I kept going high and higher in investing into what was undoubtedly my passion. Attending auctions and buying more. Then came the start of the internet. I avidly wanted to share and learn more about watches... I ended launching a website about watches, those days it was slow as hell but the learning process was immense and by the second. Also I started to invest in some venture about watches. And, I discovered, an unknown brand, it was love at first sight.
In my mid 30’s going into my 40’s, I am all over, often mixing pleasure with business, but truly determined that I want to be a part in the making, thus leading me to some more venture and projects.
At 40, Time has no limits and sky is my roof, at time it is worrying at others it is rewarding, but after a little consideration and reasoning (LOLOLOLOL) I am frequently continuing to ending up with….one more…
Why one more, I have no idea! God help me… but do not take that next one of me.
I find my relation with and around watches highly enriching, and rewarding in the amount of people I get to meet, just to be sitting somewhere and talk about watches, often leading to friendship and time.
How many? Currently in the high 50 of various brands. Too many to enjoy on the day but close to each I appreciate or attached to. I could add all my wife's watches, because I choose them for her, except for 1 which was a dream watch for her, I bought it for her, it was her first. Each of all others I picked, because I loved the model and I wanted to have that watch, but I could not wear because of the size. I get a real kick in seeing my wife wearing her watches.
Yves Odier.
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