Collectors watch as the value of China's timepieces rises

He is happy to establish a forum for collectors to exchange information and make his work easier.

Along with more attention, the price of Chinese watches has also rocketed in recent years. It often takes tens of thousands of yuan to get a well-preserved one.

"No end for watch collecting, and money makes the boat," he smiles, quoting a popular saying among his colleagues, the parody of an ancient Chinese poem.

According to Wang Mengjin, 65, deputy head of China Horologe Association, Chinese have been keen on watch collecting since the late 1990s. Domestic watches began to be popular among collectors about five years ago.

In the early 1980s, Wang collected several old European pocket watches, which were made for emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). He says these first collections are only for interest rather than making money.

"I met some watch collectors who were not rich in the 1980s," he continues.

"There were no luxury Swiss brands in China then, but these people collected common ones, which are closely related to their own experience."

For example, the country once produced watches for those who cultivated Beidahuang, in Heilongjiang province, which was later turned into a grain production base. They became precious among those who participated in the campaign.

However, Wang says the reason why many collectors pursue watches today is purely monetary.

"Watch collecting is not like philately. You have to play with these machines from time to time and it's better to keep them moving. So, it will be meaningless to throw them in your drawer and wait for the price to rise," Wang says.

He adds ignorance means there are plenty of counterfeit articles.

"Someone will fabricate the historical background of certain watches to speculate and push the price of a common old Chinese watch to a very high price. A disappointing truth is many amateur collectors are easily cheated," he says.

"Collecting Chinese watches shouldn't be a fad," Wang says.

"But it is a chance to nurture our watch culture and know our own history better."

wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn