A Unique watch by Jaeger Le Coultre
by Jaw
© August 2002
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This article was originally published in the prestigious Watch Supplement 2001, The Business Times, Singapore, under the title "The Other Woman - A true story. By BESOTTED" It was never supposed to happen this way. Before she exploded into my life, I only had eyes for my wife and four daughters. I still love all of them to total distraction of course, but now ... Goodness knows the countless times we've seen how those who've fallen for the wiles and guiles of her kind have come to grief. Only that very morning,my wife had - in her usual clever way - let me know she was quite aware how gatal businessmen doing business up north hired them to serve ostensibly as interpreters. 
The Original Photograph Miklos used for the watch Original Photo taken by Olivier Follmi |
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These fools even had the cheek to describe such not-so-temporary companions as "long-haired dictionaries", she said. "Lucky you're not like that," she mused over our chee cheong fun and chai tow kway. To let me know that she knew. And men always think they are so smart ... hmmm. But I'm going too fast, let me start over. It had all started out so innocently, as these things tend to do. Life's funny that way. It's when you're not looking that you find. All I had planned was a pleasant evening with my friends, nothing more than a nice dinner and good ol' guy talk, after meeting at an event on the local cocktail circuit. Yet, by the end of that fateful evening, I was tossing and turning in bed, trying in vain to get her out of my mind ... despite being quite aware of the not-so-small price I would have to pay for dangerously pursuing my passion to what looked like an increasingly inevitable conclusion. To be fair to her, she had never expected to live out the rest of her life in Singapore either. Her minders' purpose was unashamedly commercial, of course: Shipping her in to sell their products at the cocktail, and then shipping her right back out again. 
The White Cardboard External box You know how it works. They tease, they titillate, they flatter, they flirt, and eventually they sell whatever it is they've been asked to sell. And then they disappear. Eye candy is the description some people use these days, if I'm not mistaken. And, truth be told, she wasn't even that attractive to start with. At first glance almost country bumpkinish, even a little on the plump side. For goodness' sake, she didn't even have long hair! But after we were properly introduced, and I had a closer look (actually quite a few closer looks), I was a goner. Maybe it was the attention to detail with which she had been groomed to do her magic, or perhaps it was the spell that her eyes weaved on me - almost like an oriental Mona Lisa with short hair, if you can visualise what I mean. And, as the evening progressed, it seemed like she too only had eyes for me, just like her counterpart in the Louvre. Was it just me, or did the other guys that night feel her eyes following them around the room as well? 
The internal Lacquer watch box was protected by a long piece of leather, with gold embossed JLC logo. All I can say is that before I could pull myself from the brink, I had already arranged for a "private" lunch with her the very next day, getting my way by dangling to her minders the usual carrot of a possible business deal. And now, half a year and many negotiations later, she only has eyes for me. One of a kind, a piece unique, impossible to re-create. And she's mine, all mine. I can now hide her from the prying eyes of other men. Now life is good, life is complete. There are six young ladies in my life. My wife, my four daughters, and The Other Woman. Best part is, my wife understands. 
Inner Lacquer box
Ed's note: After what seems like an eternity of bak kut teh and char kway teow sessions, I finally persuaded Mr Besotted to let our readers have an exclusive, one-time-only, look at The Other Woman. Luckily, she's one of a kind, other wives might not be quite so understanding. Please turn to page 26 for more on this special treat. (The above article was reproduced with kind permission from The Business Times, Singapore and the author, Besotted.) with the owner of JLC "Chemin de la Connaissance", a unique piece. Jaw: So, what made you buy the watch? Owner: I like enamel watches. Prior to this purchase, I owned 2 other enamel watches. 
Enamel Watch Dial Jaw: Any of them JLC? Owner: No, no JLC watches before this. I attended a JLC enamel watch event in mid 2000, where they had a high-powered electronic microscope for you to view their limited edition, "Dusk and Dawn", and "The Four Seasons" set. In one corner there were locked glass cabinets, containing a number of enamel watches with various designs like "Little Prince", Swiss mountain views, some still-life, and one with a little Chinese girl holding a candle.
Chemin de la Connaissance, a unique piece. Jaw: Oh! Owner: Yes. When I put the enamel side under the microscope, what I saw was a most intricately enameled picture in unbelievable detail. I could see the cracks in her lips, the very fine gradient of her blusher, and every detail of her eyes, including her fine eyelashes.
Metal Caseback, denoting "No. 1/1" Jaw: Better than "Dust and Dawn" or "The Four Seasons"? Owner: I think so. At that very moment, I decided that I wanted to buy the watch, whatever the price. Denis sensed my excitement and reminded me that those exhibition pieces were not for sale. 
Certificate issued by J.M. Keller, Vice President of JLC Jaw: And then? Owner: Denis gave me a ring early next morning and arranged for lunch on the same day. When I arrived at the restaurant; both Denis and Mr. Miklos Merczel, the JLC Master Enameller, were present. During lunch, Denis, smiling, told me that he phoned Mr. Henry John Belmont, then the Directeur General of JLC, and that Mr. Belmont had agreed to sell the piece! Both Denis and Miklos told me that, as this was a unique piece, it would be worth owning. 
JLC Letter signed by Mr. Miklos Merczel, & Mr. Belmont. (Owner's name has been digitally removed on request) Jaw: The letter and certificate, do they come with your purchase automatically or did you ask for them? Owner: Although I trust Belmont, Miklos and Denis, I asked Miklos for some written assurances that the same design will not be repeated in the future. Miklos volunteered a written undertaking by JLC and himself, and I confirmed my order on the spot. 
Mr. Belmont greeted the owner of the unique watch at Basel 2001. (Owner was sitting on the left, but has been digitally cropped on request.) Jaw: Did you notice that perhaps, well, did Mr. Belmont sign the letter personally? Owner: You are very observant; I did not notice the word "for" for the past 2 years, but saw it only when I got these papers ready for your interview. I had assurance however, that the letter was signed when he was away from the workplace with his full blessing and authority. This is definitely a genuine letter issued by JLC. 
Mr. Miklos Merczel, JLC Master Enameller and Ms. Sophie Roche, JLC painter (In a JLC Enamel piece, Ms. Roche will paint on solid gold first before Miklos goes through the laborious enameling process. This photo is supplied by JLC) Jaw: And the price you paid for it? Owner: I prefer not to talk about the price of a unique piece of art like this. Jaw: Expensive? Owner: Somewhat high in price but not expensive in terms of value. Jaw: Any regrets? Owner: Absolutely not! I love to look at this miniature piece of art; I sometimes inspect the watch just before I go to sleep. I hope that, one day, one of my children will treasure it as much as I do! Jaw: Anything you want to tell ThePuristS.com members? Owner: Jaw: The 3rd in the series? Owner: I don't know about the 3rd. piece. Can you find information on it for me? 
"Chemin de la Verite" (path to truth), 8 pieces worldwide, Limited Edition Jaw: I will try to; would you buy them to complete the set? Owner: The 2nd and 3rd pieces? Since they are not unique pieces, I will only buy them if the price is right. I have no strong urge to own them, yet! (Laughing heartily) Jaw: Thank you. Owner: My pleasure! Regards Jaw WatchRap, ThePuristS open discussion board
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Copyright January 2002 - "Jaw" and ThePuristS.com - all rights reserved
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