WHO TO FOLLOW: @barnfindwatches
John, AKA @barnfindwatches, is a family man and a certifiable watchaholic. In his spare time, he runs the sales organisation for a small software company in Los Angeles, meaning he travels all around the US, meeting with customers and seeing places in the country that few would ever (voluntarily) go. How do you unwind? Although I like to play basketball or run with the dog (which I need to do far, far more), mostly I live and breathe watches in my free time. Nightly, I browse the internet researching watches, mostly scouring eBay and IG. It is a bit embarrassing to think about the hours I have spent throughout the years on the internet. In fact, eBay just thanked me for 20 years of customer loyalty (I originally joined AuctionWeb in ’97, which became eBay later that year)! I feel like I have earned my PhD in watches, having spent the last quarter of a century reading books from my library (I have hundreds of books, price guides, magazines, Japanese “mooks” and auction catalogues). I also (incompetently) tinker with watches as well. I find it relaxing to diagnose and do the most basic of repairs (changing dials, hands, crowns and…
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Today we talk to the globetrotting and glamorous Matt Hranek about travel, watches, the perfect travel watch and his just-released book, A Man & His Watch. Tell us about yourself, what does a typical week look like for you? Well, let’s start with the day. I wake around 6.30am, robe goes on, dogs are let out to the garden, and the coffee pot goes on (a drip dark roast). Then I start my day by picking out the watch that speaks to the day for wardrobe, activity or feeling I have. The week could involve travelling on assignment for Condé Nast Traveler (where I am the Luxury Editor, and often shoot for them or edit/produce stories) or, if I am in the city, I am taking meetings and lunches with clients and brands, or general “flaneuring”. So, Matthew, what’s your daily watch, and why? Tough to say — I have a dozen or so that I choose from. That watch is chosen based on wardrobe, activity or general aesthetic feel. I will usually wear that choice for at least the week, but I can be fickle. Browsing through your feed, I can see a clear penchant for all things vintage, especially…
The past month involved a fair bit of travel, a lot of coffee, and some very, very impressive timepieces. So, without any further ado, here’s what went down. First up, I found myself on a quick trip to Sydney, where I bumped into a fellow Andy (@A_Zhangerator), who just so happened to be rocking an impressive Patek Philippe Travel Time. Andy loved how dynamic the dial is on the Travel Time, and we both agreed it’s hard to photograph — it’s much better in person. For an international businessman like Andy, this is an excellent choice, though his next purchase is likely to be another Richard Mille. Whilst up in Sydney, I also snuck in a quick whisky sour with Carson Chan, who was in the country for work. It was a long time between drinks, and the last time we caught up was back in Basel earlier this year. Carson was then wearing his Discommon Discautavia; now, an Omega Flightmaster, in really neat condition. Being the Head of Mission at the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, Carson’s always playing with compelling timepieces — and his Flighty did not disappoint. Back in Melbourne, old friend QT (@Mr_Q_T) happened to be…
In this extra long edition of Who to Follow, Andy speaks to the exceptionally well-dressed Gary about life, work, finding the right watch, and how to dress your best. NAME: Gary Tok OCCUPATION: Travelling salesman and part-time author HANDLE: @gazman70k FOLLOWERS: 5.1k LOCATION: Hong Kong, Sydney and up in the air … So Gary, tell me about yourself By day, I’m a travelling salesman, making promises my colleagues get to keep. I work for an international consulting firm and help clients identify, quantify and mitigate people risk, a collective term for all the bad things that can happen to employees. My work requires me to travel across Asia and occasionally to Europe and the US. After hours, I moonlight as an author, photographer and micro-publisher of books focused on bespoke menswear – clothing, footwear and accessories. In November 2016, I published my first book, Master Shoemakers: The Art and Soul of Bespoke Shoes. I am currently working on two other book projects. I love discovering new things and appreciating the work of artisans and craftspeople, in particular watchmakers, tailors and shoemakers. I am curious about the method and the…
With an eye for the eclectic and the independent, Simeon’s perspective on watches is well worth a follow. NAME: Simeon Kremzow-Tennie OCCUPATION: Editor and community manager at 8Past10. HANDLE: @Simeon_kt FOLLOWERS: 1.7k LOCATION: Germany Tell me about yourself: My name is Simeon Kremzow-Tennie, I’m a 24-year-old electrical engineering student, based In Germany. I’m also working as an editor and community manager for 8past10. I enjoy photography. Though I mostly photograph watches, I sometimes take a break and switch to nature photography. How do you unwind? After a long day I love to cook a nice dinner with my wonderful girlfriend, accompanied by a delicious wine to really relax. If the weather is nice and we can sit outside, I usually add a good cigar to the list as well. I’ve also recently started bouldering with some friends, which is a great sport to improve fitness and physical strength that also helps me to get my mind off a long work day. What’s your daily watch at the moment? Being a watch collector, I own several watches from different brands, so I do not have a true daily watch, as I change them too often. I do, however, like to wear watches…
If quirky illustrations of horological ephemera is your thing, hit follow on @watchesandpencils. You won’t regret it. NAME: Teun van Heerebeek OCCUPATION: Illustrator and front-end developer HANDLE: @watchesandpencils FOLLOWERS: 1.9k LOCATION: The Netherlands Hey Teun, tell us about yourself. I grew up in a small village nearby Eindhoven, where I still live today. Almost 30 years, to be more precise. During my childhood it became clear that I inherited the creative brains from my granny and mum. For a while I went back and forth between game consoles and sketch blocks. When I finished high school I decided to develop and refine my artistic skill set by going to the School of Arts in Tilburg. I finished it and received my bachelor in design. At the moment I’m working as an illustrator and front-end developer at a design agency. Over the years my family and friends taught me to appreciate good design and helped/inspired me to develop my own style. I have a special interest in minimalistic and cartoon-like illustration styles. Humour is very important to me. I love all things that are designed with care, whether it’s a Porsche 911, a Bauhaus chair or an Omega Speedmaster Professional. The last one…
This month was full of milestones, travel and precious metals. Not only did it mark one full year of #SpottedByAG, but we also officially warmed our (not-so-new) Time+Tide HQ (a tad overdue – we know). It started with a trip over to the windy city, Wellington – where I had the pleasure of meeting some of the Red Bar NZ crew, followed by a tour of the local boutique (Partridges), who kindly hosted brunch. The first watch I noticed as I sat down was an Omega Speedmaster ‘Snoopy’, on the wrist of member Mike (@Nzer.Mike). Given the limited production, you don’t see these too often, so they’re somewhat of a rare bird. I also sized up another Omega Speedmaster, albeit a little older, with some eye-catching patina. It turned out to be from 1973, and was in fantastic condition. It’s owner, Cole (@Cole_Sharpp), treated himself later that morning to a new Tudor Black Bay Steel (which I take no responsibility for). I must say, for the dozen or so guys who turned up, the crew really brought the heat. A big thank you to Jarrod and Pat from Red Bar NZ, and Andrew from Partridge Jewellers, for the hospitality. Not…
During the day, Andy is a sharp-dressed businessman, but come sundown he’s a gym-loving, whisky-drinking major watch nerd. Although he loves watches of all shapes and sizes, he has a particular penchant for one specific brand… NAME: Andy Zhang OCCUPATION: Businessman & Watch Nerd HANDLE: @A_Zhangerator FOLLOWERS: 17.5k LOCATION: SYD, AU Hey Andy, how do you unwind? Well, I’m a workaholic but I do love a well-balanced lifestyle. That means hard-core gym sessions, balanced out with lots of whisky and cigars. Normally I go to the gym to relax and get rid of the stress from the office. Afterwards I read up on watch news to keep up to date with the industry. I love researching brands, and discovering what they do differently to create value and demand for their watches. Sometimes, if it is a seriously long day, I’ll play some jazz music and grab a glass of Japanese whisky. So, what’s your daily watch and why? At the moment my daily ‘beater’ is also my ‘one watch’, and it’s the Richard Mille RM35-01 Rafael Nadal. For me, it’s such a perfect watch, and extremely comfortable to wear – it’s super scratch-resistant and light. I wear my RM35-01 at work,…
Editor’s Note: We don’t want to blow Sam’s cover, because My Watch Story subjects are guaranteed a high degree of anonymity. But let’s just say, Sam might not have ever seen you, but if you’re partial to a wide, wide range of clothing brands – most recently UNIQLO – you will probably have seen him. However, it’s not his photogenic features in the frame today, it’s his no less photo-friendly wrist – which at our recent whiskey and watches weekday lock-in, sported the Montblanc Felix and I got a little woozy about at SIHH 2017, the Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time. How and why did you choose this piece? What do you like about it? I have been working with Montblanc lately and have been looking to enter the big boy watch arena for a while and it seemed like the perfect start! I was drawn to the dual tones, the bronze is a really unique selling point and will age gracefully once worn a bit more. The bezel is perfectly paired with a cognac-coloured calfskin strap, which adds to the vintage aesthetic. Since grabbing this watch, has anything surprised you about it? To be honest, I didn’t realise it…
By day she’s a watch buyer for a well-known American jeweller, by night she’s Batwom – no, wait – by night she’s @watchgirloffduty! Name: Zoë Abelson
Occupation: Watch buyer at Govberg Jewellers
Handle: @watchgirloffduty Followers: 3397 Location: Philadelphia, PA How do you unwind? After work I typically get some exercise in, cook dinner, and take a long bath. It’s a therapeutic process that helps me get some sleep after a mentally draining day. If I’m out and about, I’m exploring Philly by way of my stomach. Before starting a career in the crazy watch industry I worked in the crazy hospitality industry, so I love keeping current with the food scene and trying new restaurants. What’s your daily watch and why? Good question, but I don’t really have one. I have a pretty solid rotation between four of my watches. It depends on what I’m wearing and what the plan for the day is. If I had to pick one that sits on my wrist the most, it would be my vintage LeCoultre chronograph with a Valjoux 72 movement. Of my six watches, the ones that I wear the most are the vintage LeCoultre Chrono, a Rolex Datejust with a blue dial, a…