Billionaire Francis Choi Turns To Horology As A New Business Venture

Billionaire Francis Choi Turns To Horology As A New Business Venture
by Rajeev Saxena on Friday, March 25th, 2011 at 5:36 am

One of the most famous faces in Hong Kong, the billionaire, Francis Choi, who is world renowned for his company, Early Light International, that is said to be the largest manufacturer of toys in the world has now turned his passion for watches into a new business model. Mr. Choi, who himself has a collection of over 200 exquisite luxury watches, some of them being the world’s most expensive watches, last year acquired watch retail chain, Halewinner. As of now Halewinner has more about eight retail stores and Francis Choi is planning to expand the retail chain.

Ironically, Halewinner, the company now owned by Francis Choi, is the one that sold the billionaire his very first expensive watch. With his due share of hardships in building a multimillion dollar empire, Mr. Choi purchased his first watch with money he found lying on a beach. Halewinner was founded in the year 1988 and since has offered its customers with some of the most luxurious watch brands in the world including Audemars Piguet, Breitling, Cartier, Omega and Vacheron Constantin. Francis Choi, whose net worth is estimated to be around $2.1 billion for the year 2011, has a number of assets in his name including Kowloon City Plaza, car parks, offices and residences and serves as the vice chairman of the Regal Hotel in Hong Kong.

According to Mr. Choi,

“Halewinner is entirely a business decision. It has a long history, I see its potential to grow and I look forward to expanding the business in future.”

Via Forbes