Time Flies
I love watches. LOVE them. I bought my first one a year or so ago and it soon had a sibling when Tan got me another for my birthday.
Both of them are by IWC, so you can imagine my face when they got in touch and offered to lend me one for the launch of their new Pilot’s Watch Collection.
Seeing as the Pilot’s Watch is all about aviation and travel, I figured I’d take mine on a little trip to LA. Tan and I were heading there for Coachella anyway, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
The IWC boutique on New Bond street in London is beautiful, so I wanted to make sure I looked great when I turned up:
Suede Jacket: Sandro (similar)
Watch: IWC Portugieser Automatic (this is the one Tan bought me for my birthday)
After spending AGES drooling over everything in the boutique, I waited for my watch to come out of the cabinet.
(Playing it cool whilst waiting, but secretly VERY excited).
It wasn’t an easy decision; all of the watches are stunning and I could have spent all day lusting over them. In the end I selected the new ‘Pilot’s Watch Chronograph’, with the black dial and calfskin strap. (I do not want to give it back!)
Luxury watches are a real investment. Treat them right and they will most likely live longer than you do, ready to be passed onto your children. I don’t have any kids yet, but I think that’s a special thing. Because they’re timeless, I like to do my research to make sure I know that I’m getting something I’ll want to wear forever and pass on.
IWC made their first Pilot’s Watch in 1936 and they haven’t changed a great deal since then. In fact when I was in the boutique, Alice (who was helping chose the right one) showed me an original, the Big Pilot, from the 1940’s. The design has been altered in only very subtle ways to give a slightly more contemporary feel whilst keeping the sense of tradition strong.
***
A day or so later, it was time to pack and then time to fly!
Book: Invasion of the Tearling
Spectacles: Barton Perreira with sunglass clip-ons
Moisturiser: Murad essential-C day moisture
Watch: IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph (obviously)
Camera: Sony RX100 (I had to buy this at the airport because I left my usual camera at home)
I know I’m not a pilot, but it did feel quite special taking a watch that was made to fly to 30,000 feet… Until I remembered that I had a tonne of work to do, so I got out my laptop and started writing my latest GQ article.
As soon as I had finished writing, I realised that I had lots of editing to do too and as a result I didn’t get any sleep on the flight. This meant that when I finally made it to my hotel, I fell asleep pretty much instantly.
So I didn’t get round to changing the time on my watch until the next day.
The weather in LA that day was exactly the same as the weather we had just left in London. Wet.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
*This post contains paid for advertorial from IWC*