African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 305: Chapter 292 Anda Watch

On Soron Lake, small boats manufactured in East Africa and canoes seized from the natives set off grandly with Mwesili’s men, under the vast lake surface with over 500 meters of deep water.

Mwesili’s own vehicle is a large manually-powered boat designed by the Kigoma Shipyard, with sailors rowing the paddles northward.

...

By the Limpopo River.

Several small wooden boats were smoothly drifting along the river, heading towards the East African territory.

”Mr. Joris, what goods do you have today?” Van der Meier said as he stepped ashore to the approaching East African merchant Joris.

Joris: ”Mr. Van der Meier, you’re quite early today! You’ve come at just the right time, a batch of Anda Watches was transported from Dar es Salaam recently. Do you want to take a look?”

Van der Meier: ”Of course, but I seem to have never heard of the brand Anda Watch before. Is it something new from Europe?”

Joris: ”Naturally, this is genuine Swiss merchandise, incorporating the latest European craftsmanship.”

Van der Meier: ”Swiss goods? Are you sure? I’ve heard of Swiss watches, but never this brand.”

Joris: ”That’s why it uses the latest production technology. It’s a new company, not just anyone has the guts for this.”

Van der Meier: ”Can the quality be guaranteed?”

Joris: ”Rest assured, although it’s a new company, the designers are famous designers hired from Switzerland itself at a high cost. The parts are meticulously crafted, with minimal error and very low failure rate. So, would you consider it? There aren’t many in stock, just 30 pieces.”

Van der Meier: ”Let me see the goods first,”

Joris carefully took out a delicate small box from his satchel, opened the clasp, and took out a watch.

Van der Meier: ”Why does this watch look like this?”

Joris: ”Mr. Van der Meier, this is called a wristwatch, different from a pocket watch. Look, you just slip your wrist through, and after adjusting this clasp, you can wear it on your wrist, very convenient.”

Now in Europe, pocket watches were still prevailing, so Van der Meier, being a bit of a country bumpkin, hadn’t seen something like a wristwatch before, which Joris could completely understand.

In his past life, there was considerable controversy over the earliest appearance of the wristwatch in the world, with many theories. But in this timeline, the Heixinggen consortium’s Anda Watch was the first to achieve mass production of wristwatches.

Ernst in his past life had heard of a theory that in the 18th century Boer Wars, some soldiers strapped pocket watches to their wrists to coordinate seamlessly with allied forces in combat. This wrist-mounted clock gradually became essential in warfare and gradually established the wristwatch’s status by World War I.

Van der Meier: ”A watch worn on the wrist? Indeed quite novel, but compared to a pocket watch, isn’t it a bit superfluous? I still find the pocket watch in the pocket more comfortable.”

Joris complimented: ”Mr. Van der Meier, think about it, you Transvaal people are gentlemen on horseback, and looking at the time on horseback by taking out a pocket watch is extremely inconvenient. But the Anda Watch is different; you see, like this, raise your hand in front, the sleeve retracts automatically, revealing the wristwatch so you can see the time. Isn’t it convenient and elegant! Plus, our watch uses premium calf leather straps, adjustable for a snug fit on the wrist, very comfortable to wear. Otherwise, I wouldn’t wear it every day.” Joris displayed his own watch to Van der Meier.

Van der Meier, seeing the silver watch on Joris’s wrist, his eyes lit up, quite dashing!

The metallic luster, combined with intricate craftsmanship, and the luxurious strap...

”Mr. Joris! Why is your watch strap made of metal? Not leather?”

Joris said proudly: ”Oh, you’re talking about this! My Anda Watch is a high-end model, a silver watch that only European elites with a bit of status can afford. I could get my hands on this high-end product mainly because of my advantages as a distributor. However, the Anda watch I have isn’t much in Europe. The European elite wear at least Anda gold watches, while royals and great nobles have specially customized ones. I was fortunate to see one, adorned entirely with gemstones and pure gold, designed with individual motifs by renowned artists, crafted by Europe’s top engravers, with components set by the most renowned clockmakers. Plus, with the slogan ’Time is easy to own, but an Anda Watch is not,’ just a glance at it elevated my soul.”

Hearing this from Joris, Van der Meier’s desire grew even more. He knew today he likely couldn’t keep his wallet closed, but money, I truly need an Anda Watch.

Van der Meier: ”Could I try it on, Mr. Joris?”

”Of course, no problem, Mr. Van der Meier!” Joris said heartily, then proceeded to hand the Anda Watch he was holding to Van der Meier.

Seeing Joris extending the leather-strapped watch, Van der Meier quickly said, ”Mr. Joris, I think you misunderstood; I meant the one on your wrist.”

Joris: ”Ah! Is that so.”

Honestly, Joris was somewhat reluctant. His silver watch, as he mentioned, was hard to come by, arguably his most valuable personal possession. But for the Transvaal market, it had to be done! Once he made business with all the Boers, what watch couldn’t he afford?

With resolve, Joris carefully removed his wristwatch and said, ”So that’s it, Mr. Van der Meier, I usually don’t let others try this watch easily, but since you’re my old friend... I’ll let you experience it.”

Van der Meier took the Anda Watch, still warm, and with Joris’s guidance, placed it on his wrist, mimicking Joris’s earlier motions to experience it firsthand.

”Very nice, really comfortable. The craftsmanship is exquisite...” Van der Meier praised.

Joris: ”Of course, don’t underestimate Anda just because it’s a new brand. It’s the watch of choice for the Austrian and Prussian royal families, Crown Prince Rudolph wears one every day.”

When seeking endorsers, naturally members of the European royals were chosen. But in the royal family, Franz wasn’t interested in watches; although it was a gift, it often stayed in the drawer, so Ernst could only rely on Rudolph. Members of the Hohenzollern family wore them more since the Prussian royal family was most receptive. William I considered promoting wristwatches among the military officers for easier time-checking.

It was the same for East Africa, but there, watches were issued, with officials and the military prioritized.

Upon hearing how European nobles and royals wore such watches, Van der Meier was even more tempted. Just wearing it in Transvaal to show off would satisfy him.

Van der Meier: ”Mr. Joris, could you part with your watch for me?”

Joris: ”Ah! Well...”

Van der Meier: ”Thirty British Pounds, that’s the highest price I can offer; I didn’t bring much money today.”

Joris: ”Deal!”

Though his watch was expensive and dearly loved, Van der Meier’s offer left no room for hesitation.

Van der Meier looked at the remaining watches in Joris’s hand and asked, ”How much are these cheapest watches?”

Joris: ”Not much, four British Pounds each.” With a large spender around, an opportunity not to be missed, as the actual factory price was two British Pounds.

Van der Meier: ”Indeed not expensive, I’ll take them all!”

”?”

Boer business was easy, Joris mused, this hefty sum would be enough for a long spend in the wealthy district of Vienna.

Joris beamed: ”Mr. Van der Meier, you truly have good taste! I believe your business in Transvaal will grow ever larger.”

Van der Meier laughed: ”Haha, absolutely.”

Van der Meier had already planned to price these watches at six British pounds each in the Boer region. The farm-owning Boer population had considerable purchasing power.

Van der Meier: ”Mr. Joris, next time you bring goods, bring more silver watches. Don’t worry about the money!”

Joris replied: ”No problem!”