Meet the 24-year-old millennial with the S$1.4-million watch collection

Not everyone can say they own a Cartier Pasha, Breitling Navitimer and IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. Fewer still can lay claim to them before the age of 16. But now at the age of 24, Shoyo Kawamura is quickly becoming the face of a new generation of collectors. When asked how many luxury timepieces he owns now, Kawamura remained coy.

“I feel that collecting timepieces is an endless game and I can give you a number only if my passion for timepieces end and that I stop acquiring them,” he told CNA Luxury. Well, according to The New York Times, that number amounted to about US$1 million (S$1.36 million) in late 2018.

It’s enough to cause lips to purse and fists to tighten (or relax into a dismissal wave) but Kawamura’s privilege is backed by genuine curiosity and a passion to share and gain more knowledge. Which is why he co-founded the #PatekAcademy community on Instagram (where else?), where like-minded individuals can bond over watches at decadent get-togethers Kawamura organises in Singapore. 

It’s a natural outcome from a recipe made up of youth, social media, affluence and horology, but what is perhaps more surprising is Kawamura’s interest in vintage watches. “I’m realising that there is just so much more to learn about them. Vintage timepieces are miraculously intriguing,” he said. “It displays the history and craftsmanship of the manufacturer and, despite being older than me, these pieces are still serving their purpose.”

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This interest is spreading among his peers as well. “There is definitely a strong growth of millennial collectors of vintage timepieces. They are the ones who have acquired modern pieces and have decided to experiment on vintage,” he shared. “Thanks to blogs and social media, vintage timepieces are being represented and talked about on a daily basis.”

While he has yet to be able to pinpoint what exactly it is about vintage watches that resonate with his generation, Kawamura understands one critical truth. “We’re not just looking for a timepiece, we are looking for an experience.” And hunting down a vintage watch definitely qualifies as an adventure. Now that he’s working as an intern at auction house Phillips, he’s learning that it’s not as easy it sounds. “There are plenty of them on the market, but only a small percentage would fit collectors’ expectations. An immense amount of research has to be done so you don’t overpay for a dishonest example. So what I feel appeals most to such collectors is the process of finding the right piece, from the right period, in the right condition.”

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Having a community is also key. Since his is a generation that has ready access to all sorts of information (for better or for worse), it’s just a matter of connecting with those who are keen on the same things. “Having a sense of belonging allows millennials to develop their passion and then share it with other members of their community,” he explained. “Like with anything collectible, there are always subcultures that develop in these groups, and an active community is how it spreads.”

That being said, Kawamura noted that the majority of collectors his age still prefer contemporary models. Brands like Richard Mille have gained young fans through its experimental and robust case materials, complicated yet aesthetically pleasing movements and its numerous sports ambassadors. “When your brand is mentioned in rap lyrics you know you’ve been well-received.”