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I BECAME AWARE OF THE INSTAGRAM PROFILE OF CHRIS ALIAS CARCHY69 THROUGH HIS WATCH PHOTOS. THE FIRST CONTACT WAS WITH REGARD TO OF THE HOMEMADE WATCH STRAPS, THAT WAS IN THE PROFILE. BESIDES THE WATCH STRAPS HE IS A PASSIONATE MUSICIAN AND WATCHNERD.

I then approached him again directly for a multiple interview. Chris found the idea super exciting and after umpteen DM`s back and forth here now the result. Enjoy reading and write a comment at the end of the interview. Thank you very much.

1.Chris, who are you, where do you live, what are you doing?! Job, spare time, hobbies, passions…

I was born in Athens/ Greece. At the age of 6 I moved to Germany with my parents and live there since. My base is in the North of Germany close to a University town.
I’m working as a professional musician and coach/ bandleader.

Since I was a child I have a strong affinity to accessoires and  essentials. Next to watches I’m collecting and repairing vintage fountainpens, further notebooks and sketchbooks. I do love all those little things that are needful but not essential for living.

2. What do watches mean to you?! Jewelry, status symbol, something else?!

In my opinion watches are offering more than just showing the current time. They reflect a part of the attitude  of their wearer. As a man of course you are more limited in your choice of jewellery than women.

Every watch is special. The price and status of a timepiece is not important to me, what can be seen in  my collection (there are some most expensive pieces in horology which look extremely ugly !!)

I am only interested in simple steel watches, mostly divers. And when it comes to dresswatches, they should all have a toolwatch character. I must be able to use them in every situation. A screw down  crown is most important! And when we are talking about chronographs, again it has to be more than simply a time showing piece.

I’m  collecting only mechanical watches. I have nothing against quartz, but going for battery change is not my cup of tea. A mechanical timepiece is wounded up and it starts running. Always!

3. What was your first watch? Do you remember?! Do you still have it?

When I was a child my Greek grandma saved money for me. She gave me a piggy bank in my holidays and demanded me to buy my first watch.

I did. It was in the 70-ies.  I went for a beautiful Casio Digital watch. If only I had known at that time that I could have bought any used mechanical watch for the same money and would have made the much top deal. 😂

4. You have some really nice watches in your collection. Can you tell me some story about this?!

I bought my first high-quality watch during as a student. I made quite a bit of good money at fairs and decided to buy a Tudor Submariner.

A few years later I had the opportunity to buy the bigger brother from Rolex. These two pieces were my only pieces for over 25 years.

Two years ago I became a watchaddict.

I’m collecting microbrands and lots of Seiko-Divers.

As I told before a watch  has to be mechanical. TUDOR can be seen as my favourite brand

Last year I brought the  Longines Conquest! I‘m still honeymooning with this piece, that I‘ve never had before. It looks like a Dresswatch with its outstanding 39 mm diameter. And it has a water resistance of 300 meters.

Whenever I’m going to Switzerland I have walk into all those beautiful watch stores. I really can’t stop looking at this piece all the time.

5. What would be your next watch?! And why?!

Well, I like it simple and it has to have the right size. My first intention is going for a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 mm in gray (external link). This watch could  compete with my Longines.

6. If money would not play a role, which watch would you like to buy?!

I wouldn’t have to think at all about the answer :

A Vintage Tudor Submariner 7924 Big Crown (external link). The one without date with a rose and smiling face.

7. Which of your watch pictures do you like best, and why?

I started photography at  early age. When I was 13, I had my own black-and-white photo lab. So I improved my photography skills.

There is no favourite picture, but I‘m much in love with the Mediterranean so my pics are very often inspired by the ocean and the sun.

8. I like your homemade watch straps. What’s it all about?

I’ve been making my own leather straps for quite a while. I remember I was looking for a nice leather for one of my divers. I couldn’t find anything I liked in the stores. And what I liked was highly overpriced.

So I started making my own straps. I prefer working with vintage leather. Every skin is handpicked. Meanwhile friends from all over the world are ordering and my network is growing.

9. What else would you like to say to my readers?! Did I forget anythings?!

Here is a small advice to all beginning watch collectors :

Don’t make any compromise in purchasing a timepiece!!

It’s not satisfying to go for the second choice. The desire won’t vanish. Better save for a longer time and go for the one piece you are in love with.

I can tell you, selling pieces you don’t want anymore is a pound of work.

Daily updates and more on the profile of carchy69 here:

@carchy69

WATCHDAVID: One thing I have to say Chris, you really infected me with this kind of watches! They’re all doing really well and have their own style. Great. Let’s see where I’m going on my journey. . .