SJL: Everybody has a first watch story, what’ s yours? Dad or paycheck?
JM: My father gave me a Longines when I graduated from college. It was one of his watches. Gold, respectable, and a big jump up from a string of Timex watches that I’ d been wearing throughout my youth. When I had some money in my pocket from Bright Lights I stopped by a store near where I’ d been living in the East 50’ s and walked out with an 18K Rolex Bubbleback. That became“ my watch.” Several years later I began thinking about acquiring more models, then I got deeper into Rolex and discovered Patek Philippe.
SJL: The bug bit. Do you consider yourself a watch guy?
JM: Not hard core like John Mayer, but I have several timepieces and love wearing different watches for different occasions. I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship. Watches are one of the few accessories that men can control and have fun with.
SJL: So definitely not a watch snob. JM: I don’ t think so. I wear my watches for their utility, dress or sport. I love wine and wrote about it for
WSJ, now Vanity Fair, but I don’ t hold anything over those who love their beer.
SJL: Like the entire generation of millennials. Speaking of which, they’ ve embraced smart watches over traditional. Do you own a smart watch, or, say, wear a rugged quasi-tech watch like a G-Shock on the weekends?
JM: Well, I already have a smart phone, so why do I need a smart watch? In terms of rugged, weekend watches, I wear a Rolex or a Panerai. They are designed for the rough. I don’ t baby them.
SJL: So what’ s in the collection? JM: I have ten or twelve serious watches, four Pateks and five or six Rolexes, including a Daytona. I can beat around and travel with the Rolexes, but you have to be careful with the Pateks. I’ ve got a Tiffany Patek from the 1920s that’ s strictly for dress and special occasions. I keep my Rolexes in the country and my Patek’ s in the city. Fitting accessories for the different types of use.
SJL: And the Panerai? JM: I bought that big, clunky thing on Capri, and that’ s the best place to wear it!
SJL: Where do you acquire all these pieces? JM: At Sotheby’ s or Christie’ s. John Reardon, a
Patek expert, has assisted with acquisitions.
SJL: So what’ s your go-to, all around watch?
JM: A Patek 5053 J in rose gold. It’ s a good everyday city watch in a discreet 36.5 mm package. In the country I’ ll wear a Rolex.
SJL: You’ re literally the first person I have ever interviewed who has referred to a daily wear Patek. Kudos.
JM: I love the history and mechanics of watches. They’ re like wine, which has its own formidable and complex pedigree. You can get very geeky very quickly in the exercise of connoisseurship, but it’ s a brilliant and fascinating and utterly addictive pastime. So why not wear a Patek daily; I own these pieces to entertain myself, not the inside of a fancy box.
“ I love wearing different watches for different occasions. I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship. Watches are one of the few accessories that men can control and have fun with.”
2016 | Wristwatch 129