Mohd Jamiluddin servicing a made-in-England mechanical Smiths mantel clock from the 1940s. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
IF not for a pocket watch, Mohd Jamiluddin Hashim might still be at his full-time job as an engineer for a Malaysian airline company.
It was the year 2000 and Mohd Jamiluddin, whose work involved repairing Boeing 737 engines, bought an antique pocket watch in London for a mere £15 (around RM87.41).
To his amazement, after repairing the watch, buyers were willing to pay him up to RM2,000 for it.
Old cash tills from two different eras: the brass register on the right is from the early 1900s, while the other dates from the 1950s.
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 − Vintage Collectible − 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 them 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.
This was how cameras in the 1920s looked like. Mohd Jamiluddin’s camera collection features all original pieces.
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.
