ANN/THE STAR – Had it not been for a pocket watch, Mohd Jamiluddin Hashim might have remained in his full-time position as an engineer with a Malaysian airline company.
In 2000, while working on the repair of Boeing 737 engines, he acquired an antique pocket watch during a trip to London for a modest GBP15 (approximately MYR87.41).
To his amazement, after repairing the watch, buyers were willing to pay him up to MYR2,000 for it. That was when it dawned on him that this could be a viable business. Fast forward to the present and the 47-year-old’s shop in Shah Alam, Selangor, is into its 10th year of operation. “What began as a hobby is now a full-time vocation,” said Mohd Jamiluddin.
Travelling as far as Japan, Indonesia and Thailand to look for vintage collectibles, the bachelor is now putting his engineering skills into his second venture. “I can do most of the restoration work and repairs myself,” he said.
And, instead of just being a collectibles seller, Mohd Jamiluddin rents out his items to be used as props for photo shoots and film production companies.
He also offers his services to interior designers to help achieve the right look for their concept cafes.
His proudest contribution was for the ‘Tanah Airku’ exhibition at Petronas Gallery in 2015 where he showcased his collection of vintage furniture. An important essential to be able to sustain in this business?
“Knowledge,” he said without hesitation.
With so many reproductions in the market, it takes experience as well as a keen eye not to end up with a fake.
“This kind of knowledge, you can only gain with experience.
“Even I have been fooled before but I learn from my mistakes,” said Mohd Jamiluddin. – Grace Chen
