CHAPTER 258: 256, A 17 MILLION WATCH? OVERLY FLASHY?

"Mr. Luo, would you like something to drink? We’ve arranged for a staff member to retrieve the 6002G wristwatch you requested from the safe. It should take about ten minutes," Li Qiang stood to the side and said respectfully.

Luofeng wasn’t surprised that it was kept in a safe. After all, this was an item worth over seventeen million. Tight security was a necessity. It required three physical keys to be used in unison, in addition to high-tech fingerprint, voice, and facial recognition. Only then could the Patek Philippe vault be opened.

"I don’t need anything to drink; we can just wait together," Luofeng responded.

A little over ten minutes later, two security personnel and a sales associate carefully brought a secure case to the VIP room where Luofeng was.

Li Qiang took a key from around his neck and opened the secure case. He carefully placed a smaller, exquisite box on the table and then made an inviting gesture to Luofeng.

"Mr. Luo, please, unseal it yourself!"

Luofeng nodded.

He casually opened the delicate wooden box.

A wristwatch with a black dial, Roman numeral markers, and a patterned center appeared before him.

It represented one of Patek Philippe’s finest examples of craftsmanship in wristwatches.

Although it lacked waterproofing and automatic winding, requiring manual winding, and had a power reserve of only forty hours, it still represented Patek Philippe’s pinnacle of technology.

Perpetual Calendar? The Tourbillon? Repeater? Each feature arguably added to its complexity, and each made it rarer. A Patek Philippe from the Perpetual Calendar series could be had for a few hundred thousand, while over a million could secure the Tourbillon. But a Patek Philippe with the Repeater feature? Those were exceedingly rare, and their prices were astronomical.

Luofeng took out the wristwatch. Its back wasn’t made of traditional transparent glass; instead, it featured a Starry sky dial. It was like a watch with two faces.

Luofeng gave it a quick inspection to ensure there were no visible flaws or dents. Then he placed it back into its box.

He removed the 5270R he was wearing and promptly put on the seventeen-million-Yuan wristwatch.

Watching Luofeng’s actions, the corner of Li Qiang’s mouth twitched.

A seventeen-million wristwatch, and he just casually put it on like that? No wonder indeed. This man was truly one of Patek Philippe’s global VIP clients. This level of extravagance was truly beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

As the general manager, Li Qiang had seen many people buy Patek Philippe watches, but most purchased them merely as collectibles. This was especially true for watches costing over one million. Most wouldn’t even remove the protective plastic film. But Luofeng? It was best left unsaid. To say more would only bring tears to one’s eyes.

"Mr. Luo, regarding this wristwatch, we need to remind you of something. Unlike your previous purchases, which all had waterproof capabilities, this one does not, especially in very humid environments, as this could cause oxidation inside the watch!"

"Therefore, Mr. Luo, please be mindful of the environment when wearing it, especially when washing your hands!"

Luofeng was aware. Repeater series wristwatches weren’t waterproof. All the other wristwatches Luofeng wore were water-resistant for daily life, meaning they didn’t require special protection when washing hands or showering. But this one was different. If it got wet, it would be ruined.

"I will be careful!"

"Then Mr. Luo, would you like me to demonstrate the Repeater function for you?" asked Li Qiang.

"No need, I’m familiar with the Repeater style," Luofeng refused.

He quickly pressed the Repeater function button on the wristwatch.

DING DING DING.

The watch emitted a clear sound.

It chimed nine times in total.

Before the widespread use of electricity, chiming watches already existed, convenient for telling time at night or for those with visual impairments. Today’s Repeater wristwatches are among the most complex chiming mechanisms, considered rare masterpieces of precision mechanical engineering, and are highly coveted by collectors and horology aficionados.

A Repeater wristwatch chimes in three different tones. A low tone typically indicates the hours, a high-low combination tone indicates the quarter hours, and a high tone indicates the minutes. For example, if the time is 02:49, the Repeater wristwatch will chime twice with a low tone for 2 o’clock, three times with the high-low combination for 45 minutes (three quarters), and four times with a high tone for 4 minutes.

The DING-DONG of the high-low combination tone sounded twice.

This was followed by the CLANG CLANG CLANG of the high tone, which sounded seven times.

The DING DING DING represents the hour; nine chimes meant nine hours.

Each DING-DONG represents a quarter hour, so twice meant half an hour.

A single CLANG represents one minute.

So, the time was 9:37.

All these flashy features just to tell the time. Did it really need to be so complicated? Wouldn’t checking his phone be simpler? Yet, it was these ostentatious features, all packed into a wristwatch, that made it worth seventeen million? It was like wearing an entire house in Capital City on his wrist!

After demonstrating the function, Luofeng took the wristwatch off.

In Li Qiang’s view, Luofeng couldn’t escape conventional thinking either. Such a precious, traditional, non-waterproof watch—how could one wear it daily? What if it rained or there was an accident? Honestly, watches like these were never meant to be worn; they were purely collectibles. It was like high-end clothing—one didn’t even consider cleaning them. Once soiled, they were meant to be discarded. When such a watch was worn, wasn’t it typically for discussing deals worth billions? Or to attend a banquet and become the most dazzling person there?

However, Luofeng’s next action was rather peculiar: he placed the watch back in the box, but upside down. He flipped it over from the Roman numeral side to display the Starry sky dial.

So this seventeen-million item was now going to look like a three-million black Starry sky model? Was he crazy?

"Ahem, Mr. Luo, are you fond of the Starry Sky Series?" Li Qiang coughed.

"It’s alright, but a two-year wait is too long. That was an immediate turn-off for me!"

Two years? Luofeng thought that no matter how much he liked it, someone else could wait that long. He wouldn’t.

"Actually, Mr. Luo, given your membership level with Patek Philippe, even for the 6104 Blue starry sky, our store would expedite the arrangements!"

Luofeng’s interest was piqued. "How long would that take?"

"Please wait a moment while I check the specific information," Li Qiang said. He returned in less than five minutes. "For the Blue starry sky, the fastest it could arrive is three months, but it must be bundled with a 7140 ladies’ wristwatch!"

Li Qiang continued, "I sincerely apologize for this tied sale. However, these are the requirements from headquarters, and we must comply."

Luofeng immediately looked up this 7140 ladies’ wristwatch.

It had a white gold case with a white dial, a Perpetual Calendar with Moon Phase, and a bezel set with a circle of diamonds. The price wasn’t too exorbitant, around 680,000 Yuan. Perfect for Mom. Hadn’t she put away that 4937 watch? This one was even more expensive. He could let her choose. It was currently October, so three months from now would be right around the holidays.

"No problem, please make the reservation," Luofeng said. "By the way, is a deposit required?"

"Not at all, Mr. Luo. Given your membership level, there’s no need for such formalities," Li Qiang replied with a smile.

A deposit? That was laughable. Even if it arrived and Luofeng decided against it, would they worry about it not selling? Not in the slightest. Even without a significant markup, plenty of people would be clamoring to buy it.

"Very good, Mr. Luo. I’ve placed the order for the Blue starry sky and the bundled 7140 ladies’ wristwatch for you. We will ensure it’s ready for you before New Year’s Day!" Li Qiang confirmed.

Luofeng nodded.

This Li Qiang truly deserved his manager title, Luofeng thought. Artfully linking the arrival time with the holiday season enhanced the sense of occasion and left a very positive impression.