Watches are sought-after collectibles and there are countless collectors worldwide. In the Netherlands, one man is known as the ultimate watch collector: Martijn van der Heijden. Although little known in the media, he has an impressive collection of more than 500 rare and luxury watches, including iconic brands such as Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet.
Van der Heijden, a successful businessman, started his collection modestly with a single Rolex Submariner, but soon became hooked on the world of haute horlogerie. ‘A good watch doesn't just tell time, it has a story. The craftsmanship, history and technology behind it fascinate me enormously,’ Martijn said in a rare interview. His collection includes not only modern masterpieces, but also unique vintage watches, some inlaid with diamonds, others once worn by famous people. What makes his collection so special is its exclusivity. He owns watches that have been produced only in small numbers worldwide. He often has to wait years to get his hands on a single piece. His passion goes beyond purchasing; Martijn maintains his collection to perfection and has it regularly checked by renowned watchmakers.
Globally, Sheikh bin Sultan al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi's royal family, is known as the biggest watch collector. His collection includes thousands of watches, including extremely rare models from brands such as Richard Mille and Vacheron Constantin. Some of his timepieces were designed especially for him and are worth millions of euros.
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