You can tell a lot about a man from the watch 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.
Steven Ma, footwear designer and director of Machine-A
What watch are you wearing?
Audemars Piguet x Alyx Royal Oak.
Tell us about your watch.
It’s 18-carat gold and very heavy! I love the simplicity of it.
How did you come to own it?
It is a gift I got for myself.
What’s the story behind it?
I was never a fan of luxury watches because nowadays we are on our phones all the time and it’s easy to check the time and date. But when this AP x Alyx collab happened, I was so drawn to it. It was so unexpected.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I used to love Alyx and thought it elevated traditional luxury watches into something more fun. It represented an era when new luxury flipped the fashion industry. In the same way, I wouldn’t normally buy Louis Vuitton, but when the Supreme and LV collab launched it drew everyone’s attention. The dial has a very low-key AP logo and the Alyx logo is engraved. It’s simple and shouts out new luxury at the same time.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I don’t normally wear watches. It is more of a collectible piece.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
This is my dream watch and I am happy with it.
Steven wears Royal Oak watch in 18k yellow gold by AUDEMARS PIGUET X 1017 ALYX 9SM. Portrait courtesy of Steven
Foday Dumbuya, founder and creative director, Labrum
What watch are you wearing?
An Apple Watch.
Tell us about your watch.
It’s a simple Apple Watch – sleek, minimal and functional. It does what I need it to do without getting in the way.
How did you come to own it?
I picked it up a few years back when Labrum was gaining momentum. I needed something that could help me manage the demands of the business – meetings, travel, staying connected – while also keeping me grounded in my personal routine. It just made sense, especially with how full-on life can be.
What’s the story behind it?
It’s become an everyday tool that supports how I live and work. It keeps me dialled in whether I’m in the studio, on the move between meetings or clocking in a morning run.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I love it because it’s built around practicality and movement. [It lets me] run, track my health, stay on top of things. It helps keep me balanced between the chaos of building Labrum and finding time for myself. Plus, being able to take a call without pulling out my phone? Game-changer.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I wear it daily. It’s versatile, and I like that it doesn’t shout for attention. It just fits in with whatever I’m doing.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
An Audemars Piguet, as it’s timeless and powerful in its simplicity. But for now, the Apple Watch is the one for me.
Foday wears APPLE WATCH. Portrait courtesy of Foday
Alexander Fury, fashion features director-at-large, AnOther, and men’s critic, Financial Times
What watch are you wearing?
The 1917 Cartier Tank, stainless steel, plain black leather wristband. Same as the one Yves Saint Laurent wore.
Tell us about your watch.
It’s the only watch I’ve ever owned. I love that it’s hyper-classic, utterly timeless. Everyone had one – Jackie Kennedy, the Duke of Windsor, Saint Laurent of course.
How did you come to own it?
After dithering over buying one for about five years, I lost my luggage on a flight to Milan for fashion week and decided to buy it in a moment of wardrobe-anxiety-induced insanity.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I tried a few updates and variations Cartier have made but always came back to the original. And lots of people tell me how much they love it. The latest was [Alaïa’s creative director] Pieter Mulier.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I actually hate having anything on my wrist when I’m writing, so I often take it off and attach it to a belt loop on my trousers when working. Either that or I accidentally leave it on tables at various cafés. It seems to have good karma, as it has always found its way back to me. At least thus far.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
Does a Jeremy Scott AW01 American Excess evening gown with giant Lesage gold Rolex embroidery count? Because that.
Alexander wears Tank Must watch in quartz and steel by CARTIER. Photography by Elliott Morgan
Toby Bateman, CEO, Mr Porter
What watch are you wearing?
I’m wearing a 1972 Rolex Submariner, reference 1680.
Tell us about your watch.
Collectors call it the ‘red sub’ because the word ‘Submariner’ is stamped in red text on the dial. The 1680 was also the first Submariner model to feature a date window. The hands and bezel have been replaced at some point, so they’re not original to the watch.
How did you come to own it?
I bought it around seven years ago from my friend and colleague Jeremy Langmead [Mr Porter’s brand director]. Interestingly, he had originally purchased it from Adam Brown, the founder of Orlebar Brown, when Adam was raising funds to launch the brand [which makes swimwear]. I’m its third custodian within the fashion industry.
What’s the story behind it?
It’s easy to dive deep into the details of vintage Rolexes, which is probably why there are so many enthusiasts. This particular model features a Mark IV dial configuration, the first model to list the depth with feet first instead of metres. You can identify the Mark IV by the misalignment of the cross on the ‘f’ of ‘feet’ with the cross on the ‘t’. Additionally, the ‘6’ numerals on this model are known as ‘open sixes’. The dial on mine is in especially good condition, with hour markers that have developed a beautiful yellow patina over time.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I think what I love most is that it’s an iconic watch design and model, worn by everyone from James Bond and Steve McQueen to Jacques Cousteau. I find vintage watches, especially Rolex models, far more interesting than new ones. Plus, I admit I enjoy geeking out over the details.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
There are no rules about when to wear it. I’m not one for dressing rules, full stop. I wear it just as easily with jeans and a T-shirt as I do with a tuxedo.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
One day I’d like to own a vintage gold Patek Philippe, perhaps a 1940s chronograph, like the reference 1463.
Toby wears vintage 1972 Submariner watch in steel by ROLEX. Photography by Elliott Morgan
Joseph Larkowsky, illustrator and designer
What watch are you wearing?
An Hermès Apple S9 with a £9 silver strap from Amazon, as my wrists are too big for the exact Hermès strap I have in my mind.
Tell us about your watch.
As someone who never learnt to tell analogue time – it still takes me 30 seconds to figure it out, and by then the time has changed – I’ve never worn a watch before. At this point it’s more of an electronic bracelet.
How did you come to own it?
My partner bought it for me for Christmas a few years ago because he was bored of me asking. I would have been happy with the regular one but he’s very extravagant, so it ended up being the Hermès one.
What’s the story behind it?
I’m fiercely competitive, but only with myself, which is a Capricorn trait. I use it to monitor my workouts and steps. I’ve barely looked at it as a watch and I refuse to have digital time on the display.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
As with everything made by Apple, it just works well. It’s my favourite truly because it’s the first and only watch I have.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I wear it every day with everything and to any event. I wear a lot of jewellery all the time, which I don’t bother removing to work out, so for me it’s more of an accessory at this point.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
I think I should learn to tell the time before investing in any other watch…
Joseph wears APPLE WATCH HERMES. Photography by Elliott Morgan
Giorgio Bulgari, jewellery designer and founder, Giorgio B
Tell us about your watch.
It’s a steel Patek Philippe Aquanaut with a dark brown ‘tropical’ strap from the rose gold version. It makes the perfect summer watch for both swimming in the sea and dining with clients. The chocolate strap makes the watch softer to my eye.
How did you come to own it?
It was a gift for my 40th from my wife. I’m a very lucky husband, and not only for the gifts, of course!
What’s the story behind it?
It was launched in 1997, inspired by the Nautilus model from 1976, particularly the case. My version is the updated one from 2007. With its composite strap, which to me is the best combination, it has Arabic numerals on the dial and makes for a more sportive watch than the Nautilus as it can still be tucked under your sleeve.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I love it for its versatility and aesthetics. It’s among my favourites but I do prefer the Patek Philippe 5712 overall. Another gift from my very generous wife.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I wear it during summer weather with trunks and a polo, or with a shirt and blazer for dinner.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
One entirely of my own design. I’m working on it.
Giorgio wears Aquanaut watch in steel and rose gold by PATEK PHILIPPE. Photography by Massimo Berruti
Dawn Hung, lifestyle writer and photographer
What watch are you wearing?
Cape Cod GM automatic CC1.710 by Hermès, featuring a double tour strap in cuir à bride gratté non piqué [bridle leather that is scraped, not stitched].
Tell us about your watch.
It is a steel case Cape Cod watch originally created by Hermès’s resident designer Henri d’Origny in 1991, taking inspiration from the [brand’s bracelet] Chaîne d’Ancre. It became an icon when the double tour version introduced by Martin Margiela was launched in 1998, bridging the marine vibe with the maison’s equestrian roots.
How did you come to own it and what’s the story behind it?
I do not consider myself a watch collector. However, I have received several watches as gifts throughout my life. For instance, my first was a typical Mickey Mouse toy watch from my father, where Mickey’s arms served as the hands. I’d never bought one for myself until 2014, when I finished my master’s degree. I have always been a fan of Margiela’s work and buying a watch seemed to be a nice way to commemorate a personal milestone. So, with a friend’s help, I picked up a second-hand one in Japan. It is the only timepiece I have ever purchased and I have no intention of getting another one.
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
There was a particular reason I went for a second-hand over a brand new one. It came with a [leather] strap bracelet that is discontinued. However, it is the best fuss-free watch strap to have. Cuir à bride can be commonly found in the brand’s equestrian department and is a comparatively rare but an extremely durable leather, mostly used as stirrup leather. The waxy leather is made by first brushing the inner side of a piece of upside-down leather and then applying a layer of wax. It is meant to be weather-resistant. The bracelet has coiled around my wrists for over a decade now without needing to be swapped out, though the strap loops are gone. The watch strap is crafted from a single piece of leather, unlike most straps, which are stitched together from two layers. Saddle stitching can only be found around the hinges. I simply tuck the end into the metal buckle, just like how stirrup leather is fastened, thanks to its non-stitch construction.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
The watch is very versatile, so it is my go-to all year long. Even on a hot summer day, the leather won’t crack from sweat.
Dawn wears Cape Cod GM automatic watch in steel by HERMES. Photography by Elliott Morgan
Taken from 10 Men Issue 62 – BIRTHDAY, EVOLVE, TRANSFORMATION – out on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
