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.
Jian Deleon, journalist and men’s fashion director at Nordstrom
What watch are you wearing?
This is a Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000, reference SBGH317.
Tell us about it.
I’m a big GS fan and have always wanted one of their Ginza limited editions. This reference is limited to just 530 pieces and is only sold in key locations in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Ginza.
How did you come to own it?
I bought this as a wedding present to myself while my wife and I were on our honeymoon in Tokyo.
What’s the story behind it?
Grand Seiko does limited-edition watches with a different story and a unique face. I love that this one is inspired by a bird’s-eye view of Ginza, and the lavender face represents the transitional times of day when Tokyo’s sky achieves a purplish hue in the hours of early evening and morning dawn light.
Jian wears Hi-Beat 36000 watch by Grand Seiko
What do you love about it and why is it your favourite?
In 2019 I got the opportunity to visit the Grand Seiko headquarters and even got to see some of the factories up close. Seeing the craftsmanship first-hand made me want to own two of its watches featuring its signature Hi-Beat and Spring Drive movements. They make amazing timepieces and offer a ton of value. I appreciate how it’s a ‘watch nerd’s watch’, where people who really understand how they’re made know exactly what makes them great.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
When I’m not wearing this watch, I usually go for my other GS, the blue Snowflake SBGA407. I’m not overly particular about styling a watch, but I do double-wrist. My left arm is exclusively reserved for watches and I wear an Apple Watch on my right arm mainly for health tracking. I love wearing a watch purely for telling time, though my cortisol spikes if I glance at the Apple Watch and see unread notifications.
What would be a dream watch for you to own?
I’m still looking for the perfect Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, ideally a monoface or one of the tribute models. Hopefully, I’ll come across one through our partnership with Watchfinder.
Photography by Tristan Alex Oliveira and production by Sonya Mazuryk. Taken from 10 Men Issue 63 – Classic, Craft, Nostalgia – out NOW. Order your copy here.
