BRICE GOULARD
Watch Blogger
Brice Goulard is the managing editor of Monochrome-Watches, one of the leading magazines focused on high-end watches. A former banker with an early passion for watches, he achieved to turn this hobby into his job, with the goal to share the passion for fine watches and to explain to collectors and watch enthusiasts the beauty of watchmaking. Apart from that, he is also a Speedmaster fan and owns (and have owned) several editions of this iconic watch.
1. Do you remember your first watch?
I do perfectly remember it. It was already a chronograph, which might explain why today, I still focus my own collection partially on these timing devices. My grandfather offered me his sporty YEMA, which was from the 1960s and was powered by a manual-wind chronograph movement. I was 15 and at that time, everybody around me was wearing quartz watches… I was winding my watch every morning. It was a sort of anachronism and I had to understand why I was doing so. A few books about watches later, I was a watch lover. Unfortunately, someone stole this watch when I was still at high-school…
2. The 3 most iconic watch models?
The OMEGA Speedmaster of course, simply because it is the watch worn on the Moon. No more to explain, it says it all. The ROLEX Submariner, as the ultimate recreational dive watch and the watch worn by so many legends. The ROLEX Daytona, however I guess its current status might be too posh and too influenced by recent auction results.
3. A noteworthy anecdote with one of your watches?
Being stuck in the middle of the Moroccan desert during a road trip, with the closest village being over 100km away! On my wrist was my Speedmaster and I had fun doing photos in a landscape that was empty of any sign of civilization, with black lava stones… I felt I was almost on the Moon that day – yet with a few degrees more.
4. Are you more modern or vintage?
Modern. Not that I don’t like vintage, which have this unique flair and coolness. However, I’m too scared to buy “doctored” watches that are not legit. Also, I’m not especially meticulous with my own watches, and I need them to be solid. With vintage watches, I’m too nervous. I had several vintage OMEGA Speedmasters (Mark II, Mark IV) and HEUER Chronographs, however when wearing them, I was constantly thinking about it. So, I stopped wearing them.
5. I love Speedmasters because …
Because it’s timeless, because despites its tool-watch vocation, it has a certain elegance. In fact, the Speedmaster have been designed to be practical, efficient and to perform in the worst possible environment. Yet, because it is focused on the essential, it is greatly designed. Plus, let’s not forget the Moon-heritage. You wear the same watch (almost) than Armstrong and Aldrin… Who can’t love that?
6. Your favorite Speedmaster?
The Professional Moonwatch… The real one. If there had to be only one, it should be the Moonwatch. Now if you ask me whether it should be the ST105.012, such as worn on Apollo 11, or a modern one, I can’t answer. I guess the only thing that really matters to me would be the “Flight qualified by NASA” on the back.
7. A single personal item you would take with you for a long stay on the Moon?
My Speedmaster of course…!!! And chocolate, because I’m an addict.
8. You just won the lottery. Do you first buy a sports car or call a financial advisor?
I call a financial advisor and ask for the best investment. Then I can buy even more sports cars.
9. Where would you spend the next 24 hours if you had a teleporter?
Petra, Jordan. I have this in mind for a decade and couldn’t find the opportunity / time to go. It is now the first destination on my travel wish-list.
10. How many times a day do you watch … your watch?
Way too often. I don’t even count. But in fact, I don’t even look at the time, but at the watch itself. In my previous working positions, it even created issues. During meetings, people I was in front of were even thinking I was bored or in a rush. In fact, I was just enjoying my watch. Try to explain that to non-watch people…
11. The last watch you bought?
A ROLEX GMT-Master II, because I wanted to have a modern sports ROLEX, however with something more than just a 3-hand movement. As I’m travelling quite often, I decided to go for a watch that give me the indication of a second time-zone.
12. What’s on your wrist today?
A BREGUET Type XX Aeronavale. Another iconic chronograph.
