My name is Roman. I’m 32 years old and have been living in Paris for ten years, although I was born and raised in Tours. I’ve been passionate about flea markets and vintage watches since my teenage years, and I now work as a watchmaker and content creator specialising in the craft of restoring vintage watches, which are often in terrible condition!
Roman Touminet – Superdatomatic
Yes, it was a chrome watch with a blue dial and fake chronograph sub-dials.
It was a cheap trinket that cost just a few euros, which my dad had bought from a street vendor in the Paris Métro. He gave it to me when I was in either the fifth or sixth grade. I felt like I had a real, grown-up luxury watch! I was so proud and thought it was absolutely gorgeous. It’s still in my room at my parents’ house in Tours!
First place goes to the Speedmaster. This is because of its history and what it represents, both in the history of watchmaking and for the Omega brand.
There would also inevitably be a Rolex, perhaps the Submariner. It has an incredible history, is one of the most recognisable watches of all time and, above all, it was the first watch worn by James Bond.
Next, I’d like to choose something less obvious than the first two. I also believe that a watch can be iconic without costing a fortune, so I would choose a Swatch. I’d choose the first model, released in 1983. It’s ultra-simple and inexpensive, yet it has left its mark on the last 40 years. If you keep your eyes peeled at flea markets, you might be lucky enough to find one. That’s what happened to me a few years ago – for €2, I was able to treat myself to a piece of watchmaking history!
As I write this, the latest watch I bought is a small one from the 1960s which I am keeping under wraps for the time being.
I found it at the legendary Porta Portese flea market in Rome. I went there to film a video for my YouTube channel and, when I came across this model, it immediately reminded me of the watch worn by Alain Delon in The Samurai — a Baume & Mercier ref. 37003 in platinum. I’ve been searching for this exact model for years, but it’s practically impossible to find.
So, when I found its near-identical twin at Porta Portese, I didn’t hesitate for a second!
Of course!
My parents have been taking me to flea markets ever since I was a child. At first, I used to look at the toys, and then I moved on to old items.
When I moved to Paris ten years ago, I scoured thrift stores and markets looking for watches, antiques and clothes. I used to buy old pairs of Paraboot or Weston shoes, repair them and then sell them on to make a bit of money.
I’m also a huge fan of traces of a bygone era, especially on walls. Wooden storefronts, enamel signs and old advertisements, for example. When I was around 10 years old, I even started a photo album of old advertisements that could be seen along motorways, like the famous “Dubon Dubonnet” ones. I’ll admit that I didn’t share this passion with my friends back then!
I can listen to Drake’s latest album and then switch right over to Mistinguett or Maurice Chevalier.
My girlfriend often says that I’m 85 years old in a thirty-something’s body, and she’s not entirely wrong.
Even before watches, my first passion was motorcycles. I’ve been obsessed with them ever since I was a kid.
It was my dad who passed the bug on to me, and it’s never left me. I ride my motorcycle every day, whatever the weather. In fact, I don’t even own a car. I often browse websites to see what I might buy and watch every Grand Prix.
In short, I only have expensive hobbies — it’s terrible!
For the past few years, I’ve almost always worn my Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses when filming the moment I find a watch at a flea market.
I also carry a small watchmaker’s knife to open snap-on backs.
Otherwise, I always wear my grandfather’s old bracelet. I’ve known him to wear it all my life; it’s engraved with his first name, René. Many people think it’s tacky, but I couldn’t care less. I love it — it reminds me of my grandfather and his cheeky sense of humour when he was a child in the 20th arrondissement.
Some of you might be wondering whether an old Omega Speedmaster is really a sturdy watch. Well, I made the ultimate sacrifice and put one to the test.
In an entirely voluntary and selfless act (not really), I crashed my motorcycle on the beltway while wearing my Speedmaster from the 1960s. It hit and scraped the asphalt (just like me). The Hesalite crystal and the bezel got scratched up. I managed to get it back on its feet though, and aside from a little pirate-style scar on the steel bezel, it works perfectly fine. Honestly, it came out of it better than I did!
A police car was a few metres behind me when I fell. As I was getting back up with difficulty, they told me that the first thing I worried about wasn’t whether the motorcycle or I were okay, but whether my watch was still working!
If it could go to the Moon, it was sure to survive a motorcycle accident.
For example, I could mention an old Breguet with a striking mechanism, the first Cartier Santos or an old Rolex GMT Master 6542 with a Bakelite bezel.
Yes. But, honestly, without wanting to sound like a know-it-all, I couldn’t wear one of those.
I’d certainly be tempted and I’d love to own those models, but knowing that I’m wearing the equivalent of an apartment on my wrist would make me far too uncomfortable.
I know this sounds like an answer from Miss France, but I’m being 100% sincere.
I’m wearing a stunning British military watch here.
It is one of the world’s first water-resistant models. Hence the name, Land and Water.
This particular model is a Birch and Gaydon, a British officer’s watch from the First World War, with a silver case and a Zenith movement. These watches are extremely undervalued, and I was fortunate to purchase one on Leboncoin in 2020 for just €150.
The Saint-Pierre-des-Corps industrial park which is located on the outskirts of Tours.
It’s absolutely stunning around November, especially if it’s raining.
In the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps industrial park… Just kidding!
Since I can teleport, I’d choose somewhere really far away to avoid spending hours travelling. I’d say a deserted island in Polynesia. I imagine it’s beautiful.
Pretty original, isn’t it?
Speaking of deserted islands…!
I’d take my favourite volleyball with me. To keep me company!
I’d give it a nickname. Something like Wilson.
If you don’t get the reference, then we can’t be friends! Kisses!
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