12 QUESTIONS ONLY TO…
ANDREAS

ANDREAS

Director and Watch Collector

Andreas, a.k.a. AndreOne, 45 years old, not particularly skinny (that explains the “One”: not for “1” in English, but for “one” in Italian, which means “big Andrea”) works for a leading Consulting firm. His passion for watches began at the age of approx. 16, but he got mad for watches during the last 1o years.

He is currently the chairman of MilanoUltraWatches, a group of watch collectors and experts in Milan (Italy), organizing events related to watchmaking. MilanoUltraWatches recently helped a good friend by establishing Redbar Milano, led by one of the co-founders of MilanoUltraWatches.

1. Do you remember your first watch?

Not the very first, but for sure the first important one: the present of my parents for my Communion: a BAUME & MERCIER day-date Baumatic (“boy” size). I still own it, and serviced only once, but it’s perfectly working like a … Swiss watch!

2. The 3 most iconic watch models?

BLANCPAIN Fifty Fathoms, less known but, in my opinion, the most iconic submariner.
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus, but the ref. 3700: the only one to my eyes.
… last but not least … the “space-watch”: the Moonwatch is the unbeatable chronograph.

3. A noteworthy anecdote with one of your watches?

If the BAUME & MERCIER is my first important watch, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is the first watch I bought with my own money. Now you understand why and how important it is for me?

4. Are you more modern or vintage?

Absolutely modern. Vintage is too complex for me. My perception is that only very few people can really appreciate vintage watches, because you need to understand it. And to understand the vintage timepieces you need a deep knowledge, I’m completely lacking in. But in our Group we have some extraordinary guys, experts in vintage. So I’m continuously learning.

5. I love Speedmasters because …

Design, simplicity, reliability, it’s classy. I simply love it!

6. Your favorite Speedmaster?

I saw it only once in the OMEGA boutique: the Speedmaster Moonphase Aventurine. What a dial! But I have another favorite one: the Speedmaster Albino made for Italy in 1997 (Speedmaster 40th Anniversary). Got it during the “MOONWATCH ONLY Dinner” in Milan: astonishing!

7. A single personal item you would take with you for a long stay on the Moon?

My PANERAI 673 (also manual winding) to check if it’s as good as the Moonwatch!

8. You just won the lottery. Do you first buy a sports car or call a financial advisor?

I’m a male: immediately a sports car. But I don’t have too high ambitions: I would be fine with a Porsche 911 Targa. Then a house at the sea. And only at the end I would call a financial advisor, if there’s some money left.

9. Where would you spend the next 24 hours if you had a teleporter?

Uhhhh … Americans would say “thank you for this question” … perhaps on the moon testing the PANERAI.

10. How many times a day do you watch … your watch?

No rule on that, but quite often: both for reading the time and enjoying the timepiece. For me a smartphone is for work. A watch is for personal pleasure.

11. The last watch you bought?

An ENNEBI for my daughter. Too big, you think?

12. What’s on your wrist today?

One of the few vintage watches I own: AMIDA Digitrend.

Thank you Andreas.