You can tell a lot about a man from the watch he’s wearing. Luckily for us, the gents featured here know what to choose when it comes to the best wrist candy out there.
MITCHELL BELK, stylist and fashion director at Port
What watch are you wearing?
It’s a 1960s solid gold Cyma watch.
Tell us about it.
It was my grandfather’s. He died when I was very young, so it’s nice to have something of his where I get to feel like he’s been a part of my life for longer.
How did you come to own it?
My father inherited the watch along with some gold cufflinks. He tends not to wear much jewellery, so decided to give me the watch and my brother the cufflinks in the hope that they would get more wear with us rather than being locked in a drawer somewhere.
What’s the story behind it?
I believe it was given to my grandfather through his work. Not sure whether it was to mark an employment anniversary or a retirement gift.
Mitchell wears 1960s watch in solid gold by CYMA
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
I love the simplicity of it. How flat and plain the face is, but then embellished by this rather intricate gold fine bracelet. It also slips so elegantly under your cuff and jacket sleeve when wearing a suit.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I only ever wear it for a special occasion. I used to wear it all the time before I got my Rolex. Even though it’s less expensive than my current watch, the sentimental value is far greater, so the thought of ever losing it terrifies me. It has the original old clasp, so it became too much of an everyday worry. I always wear it with my grandmother’s black onyx ring. Her fingers were larger than mine, so I wear it on my index finger. I’ve thought about getting it resized, but she wore it every day and the ring is all contorted from all the bashing about it got, which is almost part of the beauty of it. To make it perfect again would take away its history. So now, when I’m in my dinner suit, I have both my grandparents’ jewellery on, which makes me feel even more special.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
I’ve always been obsessed with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, preferably in silver with a black strap. I’m a bit of a sucker for the art deco period, so this would be the dream for me.
Production by Sonya Mazuryk. Taken from 10 Men Issue 63 – Classic, Craft, Nostalgia – out NOW. Order your copy here.
