Black Label [EN]: Chapter 222

222. Tic Toc (3)

As is often the case with customized watches, the price can vary greatly depending on the options added.

Adding high-end options to a watch from a brand with a decent price range can easily cost hundreds of millions of won [hundreds of thousands of US dollars].

“Lee, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

“No, it’s nothing like that….”

The order form specified twelve top-quality diamonds instead of the basic luminous dots for the index, replacing the basic steel material with pure gold, and crafting the watch case and even the back with crystal material.

If the product is manufactured according to Chairman Ardo’s order, the first customized product of the Wall Flower watch line would be born with a price tag comparable to an apartment.

Furthermore, it was even added that the necessary jewelry and materials would be provided free of charge through brands under his LVMH Group [a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate].

“I have a feeling that things are going to work out well.”

A feeling.

A good feeling.

* * *

The next day, as soon as Jae-seung opened his eyes, he went to work at the factory complex in Deokyi-dong instead of the office.

It was an area where Wall Flower’s product manufacturing plant, watch research institute, and production room were concentrated.

As soon as he parked his car on the vast factory site and entered, Park Jin-man, who seemed to have just arrived at work, greeted Jae-seung.

“Mr. President, you’re here?”

Jae-seung responded with a nod and immediately got to the point.

“Actually, I received an order form for the first customized product.”

“Ah, yes. I see. Please come inside first.”

Following Park Jin-man, they arrived at a ‘lounge’ that was reasonably well-equipped.

The atmosphere of the lounge was… extremely free-spirited.

On the luxurious sofas placed everywhere, some researchers and Meister staff were sitting, half-lying down, taking a break.

Park Jin-man smiled awkwardly and explained.

“Actually, these are the researchers and Meister staff who have finished working overtime and extended hours. They haven’t been able to go home for days and are stuck here. I know it’s a difficult situation, but I hope you will understand.”

“Of course. If I had known the environment was this inadequate, I would have provided separate sleeping spaces and additional suitable furniture. I will improve it within a few days.”

Jae-seung looked around the inside of the lounge with a concerned expression.

Jae-seung believed that in order to increase employees’ work loyalty and company morale, they should be treated well.

Since he came out for an inspection, he decided to research the necessary items and facilities before returning and prepare them as soon as possible.

Soon, everyone except those who were unable to come to their senses due to overtime and additional work gathered in one place.

“I apologize for visiting so suddenly without prior notice. Actually, I received an order form for the first customized product, and I visited to deliver it in person as it is a momentous occasion.”

Park Jin-man began to distribute bundles of A4 paper that he had prepared in advance to the employees standing in groups of three or five, one sheet each.

It was the A4 paper on which the order form received from Chairman Ardo yesterday was printed.

The researchers and employees who checked the order form began to show various reactions.

Some couldn’t hide their surprise, while others seemed amused and were busy exchanging conversations with their colleagues next to them in excited voices.

The atmosphere was lively. Because a significant order had come in, everyone was excited.

Soon, a foreign researcher raised his hand slightly and began to speak in English.

“Lee, if it’s a product with this level of options, I think it’s comparable to many luxury brands in ‘Watch Valley’?”

Watch Valley.

Wasn’t that the term for the Jura Mountains up to Geneva, where famous brands such as Rolex, Omega, Longines, Piaget, Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, and Chopard are concentrated?

Jae-seung frowned slightly and began to speak, “Hmm, well….”

“I don’t think it’s time to judge like that. Swiss watch brands are mostly brands with at least a hundred years, and in many cases, more than four or five hundred years of tradition, right?”

The researcher who had spoken shook his head and replied in a firm tone.

“Lee, you’re misunderstanding something. The reason why those brands are recognized is not because of the time they’ve existed. It’s because they produce their own movement methods, and that method is amazing.”

“Yes? Then?”

“Our Wall Flower also developed its own movement full of originality, didn’t it? Even the movement method that we developed ourselves, no, ‘succeeded in uncovering,’ is comparable to the unique movements of famous Swiss brands. You should have much bigger and stronger pride.”

As soon as the researcher finished speaking, the employees began to add various explanations.

“Lee, about the watch that became the foundation of our movement. I heard you bought it on the street for about several million won [tens of thousands of US dollars] in Korean currency.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Those several million won will elevate Lee’s life significantly. It’s a really great system. If we put the license for this movement up for auction, it will be sold at a price that cannot be quantified.”

“Hmm, I can’t quite grasp it….”

“Even if we buy and dissect expensive watches such as Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, and Breitling, we won’t be able to easily copy them. How can we copy the advanced technology accumulated over hundreds of years in a short period of time? That’s why there are so many brands that sign technical agreements with ridiculous conditions and receive movements.”

“But you guys did it, didn’t you?”

“It’s not because of our outstanding abilities. The watch that Lee bought was a watch that didn’t have any intention of hiding or protecting its secrets. It was like a manual, telling you how to copy it. That’s why it was possible.”

The researcher, who had been ranting with saliva flying, adjusted his glasses and added.

“I guarantee that with such a solid system, even if you leave the watch unattended for the next hundred years, the hands will never stop or there will be any time errors. Our product has an innovation that will mark a milestone in modern watch history, and we need to showcase a more solid marketing strategy. Not spreading such a good product to the world is… a disservice. We should feel guilty. It’s something we should never do.”

After a moment of contemplation, Jae-seung tilted his head slightly and asked back.

“I would like to receive concrete data on what you just said, is that possible?”

“Yes? What kind of…?”

“I’m talking about the claim that even if you leave the watch unattended for a hundred years, the hands will never stop or there will be any time errors.”

The researcher, who replied, “Of course,” began to speak in a serious tone.

“Originally, a 100% probability does not exist. There may be a slight error rate, but it is similar to the probability of a natural disaster occurring. This watch has a robust mechanism that will not stop for at least a hundred years. If you want, we can proceed with a more systematic project and create and show you simulated data.”

“Okay. I will support you with any amount of money, so please proceed with the project and create satisfactory data. If the results remain consistent, we will use what you just said as the slogan for this marketing campaign.”

As some employees began to look at Jae-seung with curious eyes, Jae-seung smiled and began to list his thoughts that suddenly came to mind.

“We will DP (*Display) one product in the lobby of the company building. And we will proceed with the sale with a promise that if the displayed product stops or a time error occurs, we will recall and refund the entire sales volume.”

There was a great commotion in the hall, but it soon subsided.

This was because they had a fierce conviction in Wall Flower’s own ‘movement’ that they had independently developed.

* * *

Several days passed.

In the meantime, Jae-seung had to spend hectic days preparing for the watch line and the next S/S [Spring/Summer] season.

As always, he slept in short naps, dividing and dividing his time, and when he was awake, he had to be buried in work.

Today was no different.

Late at night, when darkness fell on the street, Jae-seung, who looked exhausted, was standing in front of the glass wall of the president’s office, holding the receiver.

It was to have a brief conversation with Ashlyn, who was in the United States due to a filming offer that had come in a long time ago.

– I don’t know if it’s because I came to Manhattan after a long time, or because I’m standing in front of the camera, but I feel strange.

“You’ll do well. Then when are you coming back to Korea?”

– No matter how late it is, I’ll be able to get on the plane next week.

“Really? That’s perfect. By then, you’ll be able to come and go freely to ‘our house.'”

The contract for the house where they would live together had been successfully completed.

Although he was not yet able to come and go freely because the existing tenant had not finished various arrangements, all arrangements were scheduled to be completed by the time Ashlyn returned.

– Yes. When I go back, I’m going to focus on decorating the house for the time being. Actually, I have a pretty strong fantasy about ‘honeymoon home’.

Laughter broke out at Ashlyn’s voice, who seemed as excited as a child. Then, Ashlyn asked again.

– Lee, what about the company building construction? Isn’t it about to be finished?

“Yeah. It’s in the final stages. I think I’ll be going to work at the company building after my business trip to Switzerland. They’re going to finish moving before that.”

– Really? It feels like things are being sorted out one by one. Oh, Lee. I think they’re going to resume filming. I think I’ll have to hang up now.

Jae-seung looked at the clock on the wall and replied.

“Yeah. I’m going to finish up and go in now. Call me when you’re not tired after filming.”

– I’ll call you no matter how tired I am.

“Okay. Then I’ll be waiting.”

Jae-seung exchanged a few more sweet words with Ashlyn that made his chest feel warm, and then hung up the phone. Then, he sat back at his desk in the president’s office and began to look through the remaining approval documents.

‘Hmm, it’s already past midnight.’

If he finished the remaining work and went home, it would be 2 a.m.

Then, after a short sleep of only two or three hours, he would have to go to work again.

Jae-seung took a deep breath and gradually increased the speed of his hand turning the documents.

He knew that the only way to get more sleep was to finish work quickly.

As Jae-seung was concentrating, he noticed his cell phone on one side of the desk making a sound.

[Park Jin-man: Mr. President, I’m really sorry for the late hour. There’s something urgent.]

Just as Jae-seung was about to turn his head to send a reply after reviewing the documents he was checking.

His cell phone on the desk vibrated again.

[Park Jin-man has sent 6 photos.]

And then.

[Park Jin-man: Actually, the first customized product has been completed.]

Jae-seung shook his head and continued to speak as if muttering to himself.

“Oh, I guess I won’t be able to leave work today.”