Chapter 17: Chapter 17: The King of Blue-Dial Watches
Even when faced with a group of young juniors teasing him, Chu Zhilai laughed without any air of superiority.
"You all just have your eyes on my treasures."
Qin Fen, who seemed to be quite familiar with him, joined in with the joking.
"If we’re not eyeing your treasures, do you think we all came here just to keep an old geezer like you company?"
The people present were all young folks from the Shanghai social scene, and even if they weren’t closely connected, they were at least acquaintances. Hearing this, they all chuckled in agreement.
Being teased so casually by Qin Fen, a junior, Chu Zhilai wasn’t upset. Instead, he smiled warmly and said, "Stop bantering, and greet your father for me when you get back later."
"Uncle Chu, I just got here and you’re already telling me to leave? Besides, let’s not be so formal. You’re drinking and having tea with my old man every so often, do you really need me to pass regards?"
Chu Zhilai sighed helplessly, pointing at Qin Fen with his index finger, and stopped with the small talk to get straight to the point.
"Since you’re all here for my collection, I won’t waste any more time. I bet you don’t want to chat too much with an old man like me either."
"Let me tell you about tonight’s situation. This time, I’m taking out two collector-level watches. As usual, you can bid on them, starting at the market price."
"Alright, alright, we know your rules. Just bring out the watches and let us have a look."
Everyone egged him on.
Chu Zhilai whispered something to the servant beside him, and soon, the servant returned with two exquisite watch boxes.
"Let me first introduce the two watches I plan to sell this time."
With that, he opened one of the watch boxes.
"This is the Blancpain Masterpiece 1735. I assume you’re familiar with its reputation, so I’ll just give a brief introduction. This Blancpain watch was launched in 1991, and 30 pieces have been made in total. The last one was sold domestically in 2010, fetching a price of 7.9 million RMB.
The previous owner of this piece was a good business friend of mine; I won’t disclose who exactly. I acquired this watch for 8.5 million RMB, which will also be tonight’s starting price."
As soon as Chu Zhilai finished speaking, someone immediately placed a bid.
"9 million RMB. I knew Uncle Chu had good stuff tonight."
The person speaking was a young man in his thirties. Gu Bai felt like he’d seen him somewhere before.
Li Zhun timely whispered in his ear, "His name is Ai Jianlong, not really part of our circle. He started from scratch in finance and now probably has assets worth several billion. He’s frequently on those financial magazines and news, acting pompous."
The tone carried a thick sense of disdain.
Gu Bai gave a calm smile. He understood Li Zhun fairly well; a straightforward personality with all the typical flaws of a rich kid. His family was also a top-tier noble house in Shanghai. It was normal for him to look down on Ai Jianlong, worth only a few billion. However, Gu Bai sensed that there must be some kind of conflict between them, as this was the first time he saw Li Zhun show malice towards someone.
Gu Bai didn’t join the conversation. Instead, he pulled out his phone to look up information on the Blancpain 1735.
He was an ordinary guy who liked supercars for their coolness, liked girls for their beauty, and liked watches for their flair. He’d never actively sought to learn about these things before, just researching to fill in the blanks where necessary, not pretending to know what he didn’t.
While Gu Bai was checking the information, the bids had already been raised to 12 million RMB.
At this point, no one continued to bid.
To put it in perspective, in 2017, the average house price in Shanghai was about 50,000 RMB per square meter, meaning a watch being bid up to this price was equivalent to wearing a large 200-square-meter apartment on your wrist.
Gu Bai remained calm, but Zhang Yumeng, clinging to Gu Bai’s arm, started to tremble a bit.
"What are you shaking for?"
Gu Bai naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
Zhang Yumeng, not realizing that Gu Bai had taken the opportunity, raised her head and whispered in his ear, "12 million RMB, I’ve never seen so much money in my life. This is what real luxury is, forget about LV and Hermès, they’re just so LOW."
"How can it be the same? LV can sell countless bags, but only 30 of these watches exist in the world."
"Still, I just find it really scary."
As Zhang Yumeng spoke, her eyes sparkled like stars.
Standing beside Gu Bai, Li Zhun asked, "What’s up, Old Gu? Not planning to make a move?"
Gu Bai shook his head.
"The watch is nice, but it doesn’t interest me."
Gu Bai spoke without lowering his voice, making it audible to everyone around.
Curious eyes turned to study this unfamiliar face.
Qin Fen asked with a smile, "This is a top-tier collector’s watch, sits at the forefront of renowned watch rankings, and it still doesn’t interest you?"
"The watch’s design is too subtle for me; I prefer something flashier."
To be honest, Gu Bai just found the watch too restrained. It was probably adored by tasteful, successful people, but that style didn’t suit Gu Bai at all.
Even accumulating two lifetimes, Gu Bai was still a youngster, not to mention now he was a burgeoning nouveau riche. Maybe in the future, as he got used to this kind of life, he’d grow more subdued and discreet. But for now, spending money was all about the pleasure.
The 12 million price had peaked, and Ai Jianlong won the watch.
Chu Zhilai smiled and told Ai Jianlong, "You know my rule, at least half upfront and the rest settled within a year. If not, I’ll repossess the watch, and the upfront payment is non-refundable."
"Of course."
"Then have a seat for now. Let’s finalize the contract after we finish auctioning the next watch."
Chu Zhilai picked up another watch box.
"I just heard a young friend say that the Blancpain 1735 style is too low-key, so this watch represents high-key luxury."
Chu Zhilai glanced at Gu Bai with a smile, then slowly opened the watch box.
"The Patek Philippe 6002G, the successor to the 5002, has obviously redefined the concept of super complications. Two dials display 13 complicated functions, and only the finest watchmaking crafts can create a watch that embodies the luxurious feel and can be called a master art piece."
"The Patek Philippe 6002G possesses a lively charm, and its exquisite luxurious decoration elevates this super complicated watch into a work of art. Calling it a ’sculpture’ might be more appropriate. Specifically, this watch showcases two crafts: the superb skills of the engraver and the enameler."
"Isn’t Patek Philippe always claiming that no one can own a Patek Philippe, only to keep it for the next generation? This watch has always been a custom-made product since its release, with only a few in total. The latest domestic quotation was 17.5 million, so if anyone likes it now, you can start at 17.5 million."
After saying this, Chu Zhilai gently placed the watch back into the box, seeming extremely cautious.
Gu Bai looked at this 6002G, the blue starry dial completely defining what it means to be flamboyant.
"18 million."
No one made an offer for a long time, Gu Bai scanned the room and directly offered 18 million.
As soon as the words were out, everyone couldn’t help but glance back at Gu Bai.
Although there were so many wealthy and second-generation people present, the number of people who could easily take out tens of millions at once was actually very few. Previously, when Gu Bai said 17.5 was too low-key, they thought he might just be making an excuse, but once he called out 18 million, no one thought he was joking anymore.
Chu Zhilai glanced at everyone.
"This watch’s market price exceeds 20 million, so shouting a few million more won’t be overpriced."
Although they knew Chu Zhilai wasn’t fooling them, still no one raised the bid. 18 million had already completely surpassed their psychological expectation.
Chu Zhilai shook his head.
"Since no one wants to continue bidding, this Patek Philippe 6002G blue dial goes to this young friend.
Honestly, my psychological expectation for this watch’s price was 22 million. I didn’t expect it to be auctioned for 18 million, but since I set the rules, I have to accept the result."
Chu Zhilai showed a pained expression.
Qin Fen sighed: "Uncle Chu, I’ve been coming to your place several times already. When will you let go of that Carist?"
Chu Zhilai’s eyes widened.
"You guys aren’t even willing to bid for this 6002G, and you still expect me to bring out the Carist?"
"As long as you’re willing to bring out the Carist, I’ll immediately take it with a 10% premium."
"The Carist was worth 5 million US Dollars in 1987, and now I don’t even know its value. I spent over 60 million RMB on this watch in 2005, and to make me sell now, it would probably have to exceed 100 million. But even if it exceeds 100 million, I still can’t bear to part with it. I don’t lack money; it’s one of the watches I admire most in my collection, and its value can’t be measured by price alone. So you don’t have to keep coming to me; if I really want to sell, I’ll contact you directly."
Hearing this, Qin Fen could only shake his head in disappointment.
Chu Zhilai spoke to everyone present again: "Next, the usual rule: those who wish to stay can accompany me to view my collection. Aside from some collectible-level items, you can make offers on anything."
"I’ve been waiting for you to say that."
As soon as Chu Zhilai finished, someone immediately chimed in with a laugh.
Come to think of it, it makes sense. Not everyone carries around a huge cash flow like Gu Bai. How many people can pull out eight figures at any moment to buy a watch?
A group of people followed the servant to the collection room in their usual manner.
Only Qin Fen and Ai Jianlong remained on the spot.
"How do you plan to pay?"
Chu Zhilai handed the watch box, invoice, and original factory authentication certificate together to Ai Jianlong.
"I understand your rules. First, pay 6 million, and the remaining half will be paid within six months."
Chu Zhilai nodded and took out an agreement, presumably a contract prepared in advance.
"I have already signed it."
Ai Jianlong also took the contract and carefully read it.
"Oh? Buying a watch even requires installment payment?"
Li Zhun, standing to the side, sarcastically commented, and Ai Jianlong raised his head from the contract, glanced at Li Zhun, ignored him, leaving Li Zhun feeling all his sarcasm was stifled in his belly.
"This young friend looks unfamiliar."
Chu Zhilai kindly smiled at Gu Bai.
Li Zhun quickly grabbed Gu Bai’s shoulder: "Uncle Chu, Gu Bai is here with me. If it weren’t for him tonight, this watch might’ve gone unsold."
"I wish it went unsold! I lost several million!
How do you plan to pay?"
Gu Bai smiled calmly.
"I don’t have the habit of installments, I’ll pay in full."
Hearing this, except for Li Zhun, the remaining few couldn’t help but look at Gu Bai in surprise.