Presenting the 2022 Watch Collector of the Yr

It’s writer, photographer, and collector extraordinaire Auro Montanari, who goes by John Goldberger. John has the watch you’ve at all times needed—plus a dozen others you didn’t even know to write down down in your dream journal. Nothing is off limits for John, who wears Swatch, Casio, classic Omega, Patek Philippe, and optical-illusion-grade Bulgari with equal gusto. He’s a legend, and he is aware of he’s a legend. My favourite factor about John is that, after I sat subsequent to him at Rolliefest 2019, he used a pencil drawing of himself as each the lock display and residential display on his iPad. He would have been the betting favourite for the WCOTY if we have been making markets (subsequent yr!), however was edged out by just some votes.

Our 2022 watch collector of the yr is….

Whereas Rob’s feed is sprinkled with bank-account busters from Lange and Patek, he principally makes use of it to point out off shocking, unheralded watches you need instantly. His Tudor Oysterdate flecked with blue, Common Geneve Tri-Compax, and squiggly arms Movado would every instantly grow to be the best and most original factor in many individuals’s assortment. Rob had ardent supporters on his strategy to the highest this yr, from people like Adam Golden of Menta Watches. “Rob buys along with his coronary heart, and his eclectic assortment actually reveals that,” Golden mentioned. “He doesn’t purchase traits, he buys what he personally likes. And let’s be sincere, he brings the horny again to the vintage-watch-world.” Certainly, our winners are outlined not by their capability to build up probably the most hyped items on the planet, however by a willingness to pursue their very own tastes in no matter distinctive route which means. I talked to Rob about his extraordinary victory. 

How would you outline your gathering philosophy?

I’m a agency believer in the concept you could personal watches from many alternative manufacturers and eras earlier than you may outline your style or philosophy. It is one factor to resolve whether or not you want a watch based mostly on photos or critiques, however one other factor completely to place within the time to analysis, discover an instance, and dwell with it. After a few years of “experiential studying,” I’ve realized that two issues matter most to me: I’ve an especially excessive bar for high quality, and my assortment must be balanced throughout manufacturers, types, and eras.