Kevin O’Leary knows a thing or two about investing, not just in the sometimes eccentric entrepreneurs on Shark Tank (the American equivalent of our Dragons’ Den), but in his own tech businesses, his venture capital activity and through his love of watches.
Mr O’Leary is keen to point out that he is a collector rather than an investor in fine timepieces during an interview with Canada’s Kitco News, but he concedes that watches can be a great investment and a hedge against rising inflation.
“All around the world, there is a huge movement of collectors who now consider watches as art. I honour the art of these watchmakers. I respect them and that helps me with access,” he tells Kitco’s David Lin.
Mr O’Leary shows of an incredible array of watches from his own collection including the Rolex Daytona in steel and the ultra-rare gem-encrusted Rainbow version.
He is also full of praise for Omega, particularly the Speedmaster with Snoopy on the dial that launched last year.
“That watch went viral. A hit like that pulls up the entire brand,” he suggests.
In the course of the half hour interview, the business and horological expert walks the viewer through his thoughts on brands including Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Vacheron Constatin, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Grand Seiko, Jacob & Co., Richard Mille, F.P. Journe, Longines, and microbrands like MING and Rubber B.
He also strays into what could be the next evolution of watch collecting: NFTs.
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