Watches aren’t just meant for telling time, they’re also a timeless accessory that reflects personal style
We ask six businessmen to model their most prized watches and share the stories behind them.
Mike Giannattasio, president of Leica North America
Watch of choice: Breguet Classique Ref. 3910
“Many innovations in watchmaking date back to inventions from Breguet, including the guilloche dial and the tourbillon. Breguet, like Leica, shares an authentic and genuine history that is the envy of many companies. Both of these iconic brands share a tradition and history that are unrivalled in their respective fields, and I fell in love with my Breguet because of its unmistakable style. The coin edge of its case, the blued hands and the guilloche dial – all hallmarks of a Breguet. Authentic watchmaking, truly iconic and instantly recognisable.”
Massimo Frascella, creative director of Land Rover
Watch of choice: Panerai Luminor 8 Days Titanium
“I’ve always enjoyed watches, but for me it all changed when my wife said to me back in 2014, ‘When you become a director, I want us to go to the original Panerai boutique, in Florence, and buy a watch to celebrate the occasion.’ We’ve always loved Panerai for what the brand represented – simplicity, functionality and its great Italian heritage – so we did just that. It was a great experience and the start of my love affair with watches.”
Lawrence Fairchild, owner of Stones Wine
Watch of choice: Franck Muller Crazy Hours
“I’m very into the arts and design, and I’m always looking for something unusual that will pop. I have a couple of Franck Mullers, but my favourite one is the Crazy Hours. It was considered one of his most complicated watches when he built it; it jumps hours, with all of the numbers mixed up in different places. The original one was hard to find, but I finally found one from someone down in Florida. It was used, but in perfect condition, like it had never been worn. Just from the sheer novelty of what it does, every time I put it on it’s just fun.”
Deshaun Watson, quarterback for the Houston Texans
Watch of choice: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
“My main watch, which some people call the ‘bust-down AP’, is an Audemars Piguet with diamonds. I bought it when I was just getting into the NFL, and it was the first big-time watch that I’d bought. It was an opportunity for me to say that I had accomplished something big – I walk out with that watch and it’s a statement piece. I’m a chill, laid-back guy, but I do like that it has that young, flashy appeal to it.”
Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha and True Beacon
Watch of choice: F. P. Journe Octa Lune
“I’ve always liked F. P. Journe and the watchmaker’s story, as well as how they make their watches in-house. So I’m always on the lookout for great F. P. Journe watches, although I just have this one Octa Lune, which I got on holiday in Beirut two years ago. I’d purchased it from Claude Sfeir, a top watch collector who has an F. P. Journe boutique there. Now that his popularity has soared, I wear it all the time.”
Johannes Huebl, model and entrepreneur
Watch of choice: Patek Philippe 5712G
“This was gifted to me by my wife for my 40th birthday. She knew that I was interested in it for a long time; it’s a beautiful and unique timepiece that is so sought-after. It isn’t very easy to get hold of, too, but she was able to contact our good friend Ruediger Albers at Wempe Jewellers to get it. The unwrapping of the watch at the boutique in New York was very special; Ruediger gave me a big hug and presented the watch personally. It’s my most precious possession and will one day be something that I’ll pass on to family.”
This story first appeared in Robb Report US
