VietNamNet Bridge – It is 9 a.m. and the middle-aged Ngoc Quy rides his motorcycle around a stretch of Ba Thang Hai Street in District 11 of HCMC. He wears casual jeans, boots and a cowboy hat, but this weird-looking fashion does not surprise residents in this area as they see him everyday and already know that the man is looking for another antique watch.

Some watch stores are seen on Ba Thang Hai Street in HCMC’s District 11

Looking for watches is a passion for Quy, who spends hours a day to find old watches which, he says, contain many interesting things.

His face brightens when Quy talks about his collection of classic mechanical watches. He speaks clearly and coherently about things like the watch movement, dial, case, knob, and the short and long hands of his watches.

“There are many types of watch and multiple types of watch movement. Each antique watch has its own features that stimulate me to study,” he says.

Ngoc Quy is not the only one in Saigon falling in love with vintage watches. Those who pass the aforesaid section of Ba Thang Hai Street, which lies between Pho Co Dieu and Ton That Hiep streets, will realize the busy atmosphere of watch trading there, especially from 10 a.m to noontime.

For many young people, watches are no longer necessary items as they now own expensive mobile phones and tablets with displays of date and time, more than enough to replace their timepieces. But, at this street section, it seems there are still numerous people who really love watches.

Watch collection is not suitable for one who lacks patience, as it is a time-consuming hobby. In addition, mechanical watches need periodic maintenance and service.

Collectors usually learn about watch models by reading books, magazines or following watchmakers of famous brands.

Certain collectors will try to have watches of one brand such as Rolex, Omega, Hamilton or Longines, while others pursue a certain style like diver, pilot or military watches but all have one thing in common: the love for watches.

The matter of top concern to them is the authenticity of a watch and they will try to prove it by looking for relevant information like the year of manufacture and the appearance and movement of a watch. Collecting watches has remained an appealing hobby over centuries.

There are some 40 watch shops in this area and can be divided into three groups. The first group sells authentic watches of Japanese brands such as Citizen, Seiko and Casio. The second group trades in second-hand and vintage watches and the last group offers China-made watches.

Customers of the last group are wholesalers from neighboring provinces of HCMC and those owning online watch shops while clients of the second group are mainly traders who usually buy and sell old watches. The first group has fewer clients compared to the other two groups.

This watch trading area reportedly came into existence over forty years ago when some traders gathered there to change hands watches sent home by their relatives from Western countries, but it has actually become bustling since 1975. On November 6, it is considered the busiest area trading in and delivering watches for wholesalers nationwide.

Despite the wear of time, despite the introduction of new-tech products like cell-phones or other gadgets, watches are still sought after by many fanatics, as seen at the section on Ba Thang Hai Street.

“The advent of mobile phones with time and date functions knocked out watches from the list of necessities and it is now considered a jewelry item by many,” says Khuong Kiet, a watch repairman in the area. Currently, he can earn just around VND300,000 a day from watch services such as changing the battery for quartz watches and cleaning and lubricating mechanical watches.

And Khuong Kiet is not a lonely repairman there, since as many as 30 watch and clock repairers set up their booths there. However, their incomes have significantly been reduced compared to around ten years ago when most people from students to office workers had their own watches.

Although watch is now not as popular as it used to be, the existence of this watch street proves that this item holds its value and charm in the eyes of many enthusiasts.

SGT/VNN