Mohan Sundaram’s passion for watches started in school and is growing with time

For neighbours, N. Mohan Sundaram is a stainless steel businessman with a shop at Kondithope. But, for watch collectors , Mohan Sundaram is a man with a treasure trove.

“Often neighbours wonder why I have guests coming in luxury cars,” says the 54-year-old businessman who is an avid collector of watches.

Sundaram’s fascination for watches started in school when his father gave him a Hendry Sandoz. “The watch cost Rs. 65. I was the only student in class VI to sport a watch but after a few days my teachers asked me to stop wearing it to school,” says this resident of Old Washermenpet.

In high school, Sundaram would buy steel watches and improvise on them. “My father was into steel business and somehow watches and steel had a role in developing my hobby,” he says, showing the Omega winding watch ‘C’ on his wrist.

Sundaram says he has nearly 5, 000 watches and his passion has only been growing with time. HMT watches and Sequoia, a watch that slips into the ring finger, and a gold-watch coated are part of his collection.

His most prized collection is a Jagar Le Culture (JLC) made in solid gold.

Sundaram spends two hours regularly meeting watch collectors and learning about lesser-known models. He also visits places like Bangalore and Mumbai to meet collectors.

“All watches are not original. On quite a number of occasions, I have been cheated,” he says.

With his years of experience, Sundaram has many VIPs consulting him before buying an antique watch.

“Is the watch a duplicate? Have some of the parts been changed? Its make… I know it all,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> DownTown / by Liffy Thomas / March 21st, 2015