Watchlords

So far, it looks like this:

• I arrive in Shanghai late on the 24th of September, And I leave on the 28th, so three clear days in Shanghai. I'll be seeing A.J. the horological writer, and AHCI nominee Guo Ming, and other local collectors--and just wandering around. Maybe a trip to see what's up at the old Factory. Hotel is $45 CDN a night. Perfect.
• Then Zhuhai on the 28th for a social visit to the family (husband and kids) of one of my guides at Zhuhai Rossini back in 2014. We've met up occasionally at the watch fairs, but her family has extended a welcome before, and I absolutely want to take them up on it. She's not at Rossini now and it won't be watch stuff. It's just friend time. They've offered me a room in their home, which is wonderful.

I had thought about Luoyang and Xinmi, but I just don't have time to see everyone I'd like on this trip--which I find incredibly frustrating--but time and budgets constrain. Next year's trip, Dammit.

• Which means next stop is Shenzhen on the 1st of September (till the 5th) to (hopefully) meet up with Eric Heise, Ed Tse, Joel Chan and the rest of the whole Shenzhen/Hong Kong VCM collecting crew.
• Sept 5th, I fly from Shenzhen to Shenyang, Liaoning Province (about 4 hours/2200km north), and the flight cost was about $145 CDN.

I wanted to go to Liaoning Province because I hadn't visited any of truly northern China before, and Shenyang because it's the best airport near the mighty Liaoning Peacock Watch Factory in Dandong city. Dandong is directly across the Yalu River from North Korea, on the northern coast of the Yellow Sea, and south about 1 1/2 hours/137 miles by bullet train from Shenyang. I figured if I could get close, maybe I could visit the factory.

I wechat texted a contact who lived in Shenyang to find out about cheap decent hotels and he said he'd get back to me.

A day later, he informed me that my accommodations in both cities would be arranged for me, as well as some friend accompanied time to see the sights in Shenyang on September 6th, including domestic watch hunting--and then accompanied to Dandong on the 7th for a Peacock factory tour. That leaves me a day in Shenyang unplanned (the 8th).

• And, wouldn't ya know, Tianjin is right in between Shenyang and Shijiazhuang, so 9th to the 12th gets me two full days to walk the Hai He.

I've stayed at the Tianjin Ocean Hotel right on the river walkway all but one of the times I've been to Tianjin, and my room this time is gonna cost a hefty $35 a night.

• Then Shijiazhuang to see my brother Ma Rong, hos wife and their new child. And walk a glass bridge and maybe revisit Cangyanshan. $50/night at the Holiday Inn Express,

• Then Beijing later on the 17th, arriving to see Li Wei from the CHA, Philip Li from Merkur, and who knows who else before I head home the morning of Sept 21st. I got hold of my friend, Alexander at the place I like staying at in Lishi Hutong (I've almost always stayed there while in Beijing) to ask if he could hold a cancellation for me because all his rooms were booked for those days (17-21) according to the websites, and he said nope--there's a room for you on those days, welcome. Excellent.

So, if plans hold, there's what's up.

Sounds like a fantastic trip Ron! Can't wait to see the pictures. Amazing planning and organization.

Yep- lots of pictures please.

Got to love it when a plan comes together Good for you my friend and enjoy this well deserved trip !!

It's been a long frustrating time since 2019, lots of changes between then and now--and I was about two weeks away from ticket purchase in 2020 when the whole COVID thing hit everyone and locked down the planet. There were times I wondered if I'd ever get back.

One thing: plane flights for Canada to Canada are much more expensive than before. I used to be able to get from Edmonton to Beijing for around $800-1000. Now it's about $2000 unless one wants 20 hour layovers in places.

But even though I'm going Premium Economy on the way to China (two seats wide instead of three/window seats), I'm treating myself on the way back home because I got a cut fare for a Business Class seat (Air Canada's "first class," kinda).

I'll have one of the front cabin pods where a passenger can actually lie down for the 12 hour flight from Beijing to Vancouver. Some folks here may be used to this, but I've never had that, before. Looks like a nice way to fly.

Sounds fun. Maybe some drone shots in addition to the pictures?

Mark1 wrote: ↑

June 25th 2023, 8:29am

Sounds fun. Maybe some drone shots in addition to the pictures?

I've decided not to take the drone, but I will take my 360 cam.

Those pods look fantastic!

smellody wrote: ↑

June 25th 2023, 9:47am

Those pods look fantastic!

Yep. I'm really looking forward. I'm unaccustomed to such luxury but I decided to treat myself.

AlbertaTime wrote: ↑

June 25th 2023, 10:25am

smellody wrote: ↑

June 25th 2023, 9:47am

Those pods look fantastic!

Yep. I'm really looking forward. I'm unaccustomed to such luxury but I decided to treat myself.

You deserve it!!

Looks great, Ron. Those pods do look amazing. We flew first-class once and it was tough going back to coach. Looking forward to the travelogue.

^^^The only way to fly. Very cool to see another trip has come together and in epic fashion. Looking forward to the updates. man. :)

Wow!! What a great adventure… I, too, look forward to your full report!

This sounds like a hell of a trip. I will also be looking forward to your elegant impressions and pics.

3Flushes wrote: ↑

June 25th 2023, 4:32pm

^^^The only way to fly

Well, I doubt I'll do that twice, and I'll have to get used to Cattle Class again if I can afford another trip in a year or so--but I'm thrilled to do it at least the once.

To everyone:

I've been on Wechat all evening coordinating meetups and making plans, and things are coming together nicely. You *know* I'll be camera happy and Liaoning Province (Shenyang and Dandong) is entirely new to me. I feel like kid with Christmas coming up.

And now you all know why I don't buy many new watches--and certainly not expensive ones. I can travel or buy lotsa watches, but (absent a lottery win) I can't afford to do both

Here's the new, updated, schedule.

Shanghai - Aug 24-Aug 28 - Hope to see A.J. the horological writer, and AHCI nominee Guo Ming, and other local collectors
Zhuhai - Aug 28-Sep 01 - w/the family of Tina (my guide at Zhuhai Rossini)
Shenzhen - Sep 01-Sep 05 - (hopefully) meet up with Eric Heise, Ed Tse, Joel Chan and the rest of the Shenzhen/Hong Kong VCM collecting crew
Shenyang/Dandong - Sep 05-Sep 08 Visit to Liaoning Peacock
Shijiazhuang - Sep 08-Sep 12 - to see Mar Rong, Qi Ran and their somewhat new born, and all my friends there
Tianjin - Sep 12-Sep 14 - I hope to see Marco Kong (Koo Ning),Li Quisheng of Tianjin Edwin, and Mr. Liu of Jintuofei
Shenzhen - Sep 14-Sep 17 - The China Watch and Clock Fair 2023
Beijing - Sep 17-Sep 21 - to see Li Wei and others before returning to Canada on the 21st.

The main game changer was the news from my friend David Chang (CHA, Watchina, Academy Member of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Director of Beijing Collectors' Association) that the China Watch and Clock Fair, which had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 and 2022, was going to take place in September, not in the summer like usual--and during the time I planned to be in China.

I had no clue about that while I was booking my trip, but no way I was going to miss that opportunity to see friends and learn about what's up in the industry, so that means two trips to Shenzhen. So: 8 cities in 29 days.

Wow!! What a line up! You are going to have a blast.

I know I'll have a great time overall.

I don't know how big the Shenzhen exhibition will be. There's been the three year break, and this show (so far) is only under the auspices of the Shenzhen Watch Association, which has jointly run past shows with the CHA, but at least so far the CHA is not officially involved in the 2023 exhibition. I don't know any details about that, but it may affect participation.

Also, the Hong Kong Watch and Clock Fair is only about a week or so earlier (Sept 5th to 9th) and it is usually larger. I'm totally speculating now, but some companies may decide that two fair in such short order is difficult. So we'll see.

All that noted, though, I know I'll see plenty pf people I know at the Shenzhen fair, even if only a quarter of the usual exhibitors show up.

If it's not too much of an ask, can you purchase watches to bring back to this side of the world?

I've liked every watch you've shown us from China; I've got a Seagull and a Merkur.

But I'm hoping you find some rare gems in the horological hinterlands, bring them into the light, and I'm able to purchase one. Might be a customs nightmare but at the least I know you will have web links to share.

I can't wait to hear more about your adventure!

Epic- greatly looking forward to an insider's view of the W&C fair.

bbattle wrote: ↑

July 19th 2023, 5:00pm

If it's not too much of an ask, can you purchase watches to bring back to this side of the world?

Not too much to ask. Perfectly acceptable question. Can't say about bringing any watches back, but did you mean vintage or modern?

3Flushes wrote: ↑

July 19th 2023, 6:53pm

Epic- greatly looking forward to an insider's view of the W&C fair.

Me too :-)

I was chatting to Eric Heise yesterday on our Facebook group after he posted a nice Meihualu watch he has just finished restoring. He mentioned you and showed me a photo from when you visited in 2018.
Hope you have a great time there Ron.

Thanks, bobbee. I'll do my best :-)

Well, the China Watch and Clock Fair in Shenzhen didn't make it off the ground, probably due to proximity from the Hong Kong show. And, because the execs are away from the Peacock Factory in Dandong for the HK show my plans to see that factory may change (or may not).

But, either way, not having to return to Shenzhen gives me more time in Tianjin and Beijing. OK, no problem.

I've decided to keep Shenyang and Dandong on my itinerary either way because I haven't been that far north before, so even if all I get to do is wander around and take photos, I'm fine with that.

So: updated, as of today:

I leave Edmonton at 6:00AM Wednesday August 23rd, arriving late Thursday August 24th (China time).

Then:

Shanghai Aug 24-Aug 28
Zhuhai Aug 28-Sep 01
Shenzhen Sep 01-Sep 05
Shenyang/Dandong Sep 05-Sep 08
Shijiazhuang Sep 08-Sep 12
Tianjin Sep 12-Sep 16
Beijing Sep 16-Sep 21

Then I fly home.