LUCA GARBATI

Luca Garbati

Photographer.

Luca Garbati.

Ciao Luca, for our readers who don’t know you yet, could you introduce yourself?

My name is Luca Garbati and I am a freelance photographer. I’m in my fifties and I live in Genoa, a city that I continue to call home even though my work often takes me far away. Although I travel a lot for work, Genoa is always the place I love to return to. It’s my city; the place where I live, and I’m deeply attached to it. Even after being away, I always look forward to coming back.

I consider myself fortunate to have turned my passions for photography and watches into a career. I have been collaborating with WATCHFID since its inception, and in the editorial sector, I work with magazines and book publishers. I’ve also worked with many watch dealers and auction houses, photographing their pieces.

How did you get started in photography? Did you start right away with watches?

My journey began about thirty years ago, driven by passion.

Almost immediately, I helped a dear friend, who was a photographer, open his first studio. Initially, I worked in various fields, including events, sports photography and conferences, before specialising in watches.

So, can you tell us about your first steps in the world of watches?

I started out as a collector and then had the opportunity to photograph watches for a well-known dealer thanks to some contacts. This led me to focus more specifically on watches, and my work gradually took shape from there.

Do you remember our first projects, particularly our first book, MOONWATCH ONLY? What is your funniest memory?

Of course I remember our first project: MOONWATCH ONLY!

It was our very first project, after all. It began around the time I first became interested in watches, and I was immediately hooked. There were so many watches to photograph in various locations, from retailers to the OMEGA Museum in Bienne and the various boutiques. It was fascinating, and I had the opportunity to see and photograph some truly remarkable historical timepieces.

Anthony Marquié, Luca Garbati and Greg Rossier at the OMEGA Museum in Bienne.

My fondest memory was from the book launch at the OMEGA boutique in Milan, via Montenapoleone. I had the privilege of meeting Gene Cernan, the commander of the Apollo 17 mission and the last person to walk on the Moon. I was fortunate enough to speak with him and ask him a few questions.

What do you think is the most distinctive feature of the way we organise and conceptualise our books and activities, and what has this brought to the market?

Our passion comes before financial or market considerations, and this is what defines us most.

We always strive to delve deeper into watch-related topics, organising everything methodically without haste or pressure. This instils confidence in our customers, whether they are buying watches or books, because they can sense the care and research that goes into every project.

Ultimately, we value authenticity and transparency.

Which project did you like best out of everything we’ve done together?

The project that gave me the most satisfaction was the book MOONWATCH DIALS, which Anthony and I created entirely without any outside input, except for the printing and binding. This is precisely why I feel a special connection to it and am very proud of it.

The MOONWATCH DIALS book.

What is the most challenging part of photographing a watch?

I believe there are two aspects that are particularly challenging.

The first is the creative aspect, which involves giving each project and each image an identity so that they are not just technically correct, but also tell a story and convey something.

Then there’s the technical aspect, which has become second nature to me but remains challenging nonetheless because every watch has different surfaces, materials and reflections, and each piece requires a different approach to capture its visual essence.

Shooting session for MOONWATCH ONLY.

Could you tell us about any unique watches that have made a special impression on you?

I was particularly struck by the watches linked to historical figures, such as astronauts and U.S. presidents, or those belonging to military personnel. Beyond their technical and aesthetic aspects, these watches carry special historical significance because they belonged to specific individuals.

Similarly, I was deeply fascinated by early 20^th-century watches with complications, from around 1900 to 1920. Even over a hundred years later, the level of craftsmanship in the mechanics is extraordinary. I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph some of these watches, which is certainly not something that happens to everyone.

What’s the most beautiful watch you’ve ever photographed?

That’s a question I always find difficult to answer.

Perhaps the most beautiful watch I’ve ever photographed is the one I’ll photograph tomorrow.

Tell us about your favourite watches, too. Are you into vintage, modern, sporty or elegant styles?

My personal taste mainly focuses on chronographs and diver’s watches from the 1970s and 1980s, which are connected to my childhood and teenage memories.

My collection includes several Omega Speedmasters, a few Rolexes and some military watches.

I also have a particular passion for vintage Seikos.

Vintage SEIKO.

If you could only buy and keep one watch, with no budget limit, which would you choose?

If I had to choose just one, I’d be torn: the first Omega Speedmaster (reference 2915) has incredible charm.

On the other hand, my lifelong dream is a military Panerai from the 1940s because of its unique character and history.

Military Panerai.

Tell us about your other hobbies, too… I know you have a lot of them.

I have many passions, and when something captures my interest, I tend to explore it fully.

One of my longest-standing passions is music. I’ve been a bassist since the age of fifteen and have a particular fondness for vintage instruments and electric basses.

I also have a passion for motorsports, especially Formula 1 from the 1970s onwards, and for motorcycles, which I have been racing since the age of five.

Thank you very much, Luca. We’re all really looking forward to working on our many upcoming projects and presenting them to our readers soon!