Every now and then, I get an email from somebody saying; I want to do what you do, how do I do that" I always respond to these emails and messages, and my first question is often; what do you think it is that I do" The reply usually talks about wearing cool watches, driving equally cool cars, traveling the world to see new releases and manufacturers. In a touch of irony, this is not what I do, this is the result of what I do. I write mainly about watches and occasionally about cars. But a lot had happened before I saw how a Grand Seiko is made in Japan, went through the company ledgers with Emmanuel Breguet in Paris, or discovered the new Bulgari models in Dubai.

I guess we got social media, including my own, to blame for this seemingly glamorous life that doesn’t tell the whole story. A lot has to happen before brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe invite you to their stands to see the latest models or Rolls-Royce or McLaren to give you the keys to one of their cars. For me, it is the result of living and breathing watches and cars for over a quarter of a century. My first visits to Baselworld weren’t that luxurious at all, staying in an inexpensive motel over the border in France, with no appointments with any of the big brands, but an enormous drive to make this industry my own and my home. You have to sow before you can reap, which includes traveling on your own dime while writing many articles you don’t get paid for, which you have to ...