You can tell a lot about a man from the watch that he’s wearing. Luckily for us, the gents on the following pages know what to choose when it comes to the best wrist candy out there.
David Chen, Casting Director
Which watch are you currently wearing?
My Patek Philippe Gondolo Ref. 3519 from the 1970s.
What made you want this watch?
I’ve always been a bit of a nerd—I’m really into the history of watch movements. When I found this Gondolo Ref. 3519, I was excited because it has a classic Cal. 23-300 movement made famous by Patek Philippe in the 1950s and ’60s for the more popular model, the Calatrava. I am not a huge fan of big watches, so when I found this one with this specific movement, I knew I had to get it, as it’s an excellent example of Patek’s hand-wound mechanisms.
How did you come to acquire it?
To be honest, I didn’t have anything in mind when I stumbled on this watch. I was visiting Tokyo with my friends over New Year’s one year and I’ve always loved the vintage watch stores in Tokyo. It’s a special place for watch collecting because culturally most people take very good care of their pieces—they are often very well preserved or in mint condition.
On what occasions do you wear this watch and what do you typically wear it with?
For me, it’s an everyday watch. I wear it even when I’m going to the gym or running errands.
David wears vintage Gondolo Ref. 3519 by PATEK PHILIPPE
What do you love most about this watch and why is it your favorite?
I’ve seen many round Patek Philippe watches in the wild, as its classic dress watches are usually the famous Calatrava or the hunkier, more flashy model, the Nautilus. I have a big wrist so I usually gravitate towards smaller watches. When I found this classic Gondolo in a more art deco style with a hand-wound movement that I’d been looking for, I knew from the moment I saw it that I needed it as part of my collection. I have a few classic watches in my collection—an old Omega Seamaster from the ’60s, a Cartier Tortue from the ’70s—but the Patek 3519 has always been my favorite because it’s understated yet versatile with different outfits.
What would be your ideal or dream timepiece?
My dream watch? There are too many to count. But if I had to choose one it would be Amelia Earhart’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, made to celebrate her flight between Mexico and New York on May 8, 1935. She had the flight map engraved on the back of the watch to commemorate the route and achievement.
Tell us about some of your favorite watches in your collection.
I always have a soft spot for the oddballs or “weird cousins” of the more famous models that a watch house creates. One of them is the Cartier Tortue. While most people know about the Tank, the Tortue was created by Louis Cartier in the 1900s, mimicking the design of a turtle shell. When I was on my most recent trip to Japan, I was lucky enough to find one in an old camera shop in Tokyo.
Who would you ever trade watches with?
Since I’m deep in “WatchTok” I think for sure it would be [the vintage watch specialist] Mike Nouveau or John Mayer.
Are you always on time?
Always. I’m a Virgo.
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 04 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
ME & MY WATCH
Text IMAN DABBOUS
Portrait ERIC MCARTHUR
