12 QUESTIONS ONLY TO… STUMPELRILTZCHEN

STUMPELRILTZCHEN

Economist, Watch Collector

Stumpelriltzchen (he prefers to remain anonymous) is an academic economist. He lives in Basel, Switzerland, and has had an affection for watches since childhood. He has started to collect only a few years ago … but is deeply into it. He also likes the beautiful sides of life, friends, wine, travel, and think that most people completely overrate money – yes, he’s really an economist! And he knows the secret to happiness: it’s generosity.

He is the founder of the RedBar Switzerland.

1. Do you remember your first watch?

Sure. I was ten years old when I received an automatic TISSOT three hands no date with a sunburst dial and a changing effect, meaning the color was slightly changing depending on the angle that the light came in. I had been looking at this watch for weeks in the dealer’s showcase before I received it for my “first communion.” I do not know the reference, though, and unfortunately this watch has long been lost in the turbulence of puberty.

2. The 3 most iconic watch models?

The HARRISON H4 – because it allowed mankind to explore the oceans and still know where they were.
The OMEGA Speedmaster – because it played a role in the exploration of outer space.
And the CARTIER Tank – because that’s just the way it is.

3. A noteworthy anecdote with one of your watches?

The second “good watch” I bought myself was a ROLEX Precision from the 1950s. I had no clue about vintage watches and had never held such a thing in my hand before, and I bought it online! I was so disappointed when it came by mail: “This is a boy’s watch,” I thought – 34mm diameter. But it grew on me. Now I think this is the perfect size and I very much like this watch.

4. Are you more modern or vintage?

Generally more vintage, but not because they are technically better (hell, they are not!). But the space to choose from is so much greater if you do not confine yourself to contemporary models.

Yet, there are also these contemporary watchmakers: DEBETHUNE, PHILIPPE DUFOUR, VOUTILAINEN, URBAN JURGENSEN, … but also VAN CLEEF & ARPELS romantic pieces … and the ZENITH Defy Lab …

5. I love Speedmasters because …

… I saw the first Moon landing on TV as a small boy. It was a defining moment for my generation. Technology was unequivocally good, everything was possible, and not even the sky was the limit.

6. Your favorite Speedmaster?

Straight lugs with Alpha hands (main and subdials) and straight chrono second hand (not the lollipop). So that would be something between a 2915-3 and a 2998-4, ideally with a bluish ghosted pulsation scale bezel (if that exists at all…).

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

A good telescope.

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

I do my financial investments myself. So clearly an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, or if the prize is a bit smaller, a Shelby Cobra.

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

If I can travel through time: same location but 100 years into the future. If I can travel through space only: inside a black hole (hope I would survive this).

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

Oh … very often, but rarely to know the time.

11. The last watch you bought?

DODANE Type 21 with tropical dial.

12. What’s on your wrist today?

HAMILTON Pacer.