In 1993, at 21 years of age, David Desbordes received his Breitling Chronomat from his father. After 21 years, this Breitling Chronomat (seen on his wrist) remains a highly sentimental timepiece for him. Desbordes is managing director of Visionnaire Pte Ltd, an events planning and management company that is based in Singapore. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Breitling Singapore Boutique. June 2014

David Desbordes, managing director of Visionnaire, an events planning and management company based in Singapore, has been exposed to many different watch brands in both his professional capacity and in private life but there can only be one that stands out for this French gentleman.

It was truly apt when Desbordes attended the launch of Breitling’s Chronomat Airborne special series at the brand’s boutique in Palais Renaissance, its first in Singapore and Southeast Asia, sporting his very own Chronomat from the early 1990s.

“It was given to me by my father when I turned 21,” says Desbordes proudly and emotionally. “I have quite a few wristwatches but I only travel with this Breitling.”

This two-tone Breitling Chronomat was acquired in 1993 and given to David Desbordes when he was 21 years of age. This is the watch that has a strong emotional link with Desbordes. Photo: © TANG Portfolio. Breitling Singapore Boutique. June 2014

His two-tone Breitling Chronomat features an excellent colour combination and remains relevant even after 21 years of ownership.

 

 

“La montre de mon Coeur – This is the watch of my heart,” Desbordes tells us with a smile. “If I die, I die with this watch.”

Now that is probably the most powerful statement we have ever heard with regards to a person’s watch. Ownership has its privileges.