PETER VIRDEE: The Complete Singh
Collector’s Side
With an amazing collection of art, antiques, cars, watches, tell us what about it interests you and catches your heart to invest into so much?
I believe in the theory – you only live once. If you can afford it – then buy it.
I’m a great believer and collector of Sikh artifacts, as well as take interest in many other cultural antiques. I collect a lot of paintings and rare pieces. I’m very much into visual art, which includes creation of images and objects that are rare to find pieces or a limited collection. I also collect modern art and old masters, which is a specialist art. If you look around my office, you will also see a lot of art books lying around, as I not only enjoy collecting them but also learning about them and studying their history. Asides art, anyone who knows me will also know I’m a great admirer of watches. Buying a prestigious timepiece is more than a transaction for me. The saying “You can tell a man by his shoes,” well I believe the same is for a watch. I’m very particular with the type of watch I wear, as it should compliment my personal style. Whether it’s a rare Patek Philippe, the latest Breguet or Cartier, or the limited edition Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti watch – I have a great collection of watches. In the same breath, I also enjoy luxury cars and am a big collector of car registration plates (number plates). From my Phantom, to my Bugatti and G-class, I give great attention to detailing the interior and exterior of my cars – just as I do for my suiting! And I make sure they all have their unique registration plates – as your identity is key!
Did the love for all this quality start at an early age or after you accomplished so much?
You know I’m never been one to shy away from the finer things in life. When I was a child and wanted something, I would always push my father for it. I’d either cry or have a tantrum but eventually I would get it. Even as I grew older, I would ask him to buy me the more established French and Italian designer names – I was never one to settle for average, it had to be the best. Even if we couldn’t afford it and my father said it was too expensive, I was never one to back down and was always determined to get it… And my father being the generous person he is, always made it a point to buy it for me, even it meant going out of his way for it. So from a young age, I was always accustomed to quality and by the grace of God I’ve usually been able to have them.
How important is it for you to live life king size?
If you can afford living life king size, then you should do it! There are no ifs or buts, and I say that to anybody – if you can afford to do it and God has blessed you with the wealth – then enjoy it! It is important to live in the moment, and the environment in which one lives in has to be positive and to your satisfaction. It has a psychological effect on us as it is our state of mind that decides the quality of life, so if you have the means to afford it, then one shouldn’t hesitate in living it to that standard. This doesn’t just apply to materialistic possessions, it could be giving money to charity, going on a spiritual journey, trying new adventures, luxury wellness, cosmetic surgery – whatever it is! Enjoy it. I’m not saving don’t save your money for a rainy day, of course save it but to an extent. Don’t deprive yourself of the luxuries or the finer things in life if you can afford it.