We’ve said it before, watch collectors come in all sizes and types. From all sorts of personalities, styles, and tastes. While it is cool to see what celebrities and athletes own when it comes to watches, there is nothing more rewarding than to see the actual watch collection of a normal guy or gal that we can relate to as mere mortals.

Our friend @Hairdude is a unique watch collector with 11.1K followers on Instagram whom we are honored to call a dear friend. In the span of 11 years, we’ve seen his collection grow exponentially into an impressive very high-end well-curated watch collection. We still remember —like it was yesterday— the day we met @Hairdude back in 2012 at a Rolex Forums meet-up at Goose Island Beer Taproom in Chicago.

Back then, he had just gotten the itch and owned two Rolexes, today, he’s one of our favorite watch collectors and a heavy hitter for sure with a fine taste for Patek Philippe. He is for sure one of the finest watch collectors in the Chicago area with whom we even got to share the early layouts/sketches of Watch Collecting Lifestyle before its launch in April of 2013.

He had always remained humble, naturally inquisitive about watches and watch collecting, and a great guy we’ve shared many dinners and lunches with. Thank you for all the feedback back then and your friendship.

Now, you’ll hear directly from him about this fantastic watch-collecting hobby that brought us together.

When Did You Start Collecting Watches?

I had always been intrigued by watches which started in highschool, but I always thought I couldn’t afford them. My first purchase was from a Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 ‘Coke’ in 2012. I had always been obsessed with watches since early in on the watch collecting game. 

What are your Favorite Brands?

I love F.P. Journe, Patek Philippe and Rolex the most. I also likeAudemars Piguet, Akrivia and Greubel Forsey.

Which of Your Watches Do You Consider Special and Why?

My Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5167A with Tiffany & Co. stamped dial. Not only this watch celebrates the birth of my daughter, but also I was able to have Kelly Yoch —in charge of Patek Philippe allocations at Tiffany & Co.— date the certificate with my daughter’s birthdate. It was also my first Tiffany & Co. stamped Patek Philippe. The other watch that is very special is my Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1R Tiffany & Co. stamped as it was a gift to myself when I turned 40 years young. 

Can You List the Brands and Watches You’ve Owned In Your Watch Collecting Journey? 

Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Panerai, and Astor & Banks.

The specific watches to the best of my memory are Patek Philippe Chronograph ref. 5070R, Rolex Explorer ref. 214270, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN Black Dial, Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5167A Tiffany & Co. Stamped, Patek Philippe Annual Calendar with Moon Phases ref. 5205R, Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1R Tiffany & Co. Stamped, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500 White Dial, F.P. Journe Lune, Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 ‘Coke’, Rolex Datejust II ref. 116334 Blue dial w/Roman numerals, Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116718LN, Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126710BLRO, Panerai Luminor 1950 3 Days PAM0372, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15300ST, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 44 ref. 26401RO, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver ref. 15703ST, Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A Blue, Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 ‘Pepsi’, Rolex Day-Date ref. 228238, Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610, Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot’s Limited Edition ref. 5522A, Rolex Submariner Date ref. 126610, Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 124300 Green Dial, Astor & Banks Fortitude, and Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 ‘Paul Newman’ Black Dial with red accents.

Why Do You Buy Certain Brands and Watches?

 I have to like the lineage of the brand and I also like those that are independently owned.

What is Your Favorite Watch Complication?

My favorite complication would be a perpetual calendar but I also love a chronograph. I still haven’t owned a Perpetual Calendar but would love to own one one day. The best combo would be a perpetual calendar chronograph. One day!

Which is Your Grail Watch You Wish to Own One Day?

I’d have to say a Patek Philippe Split Seconds Chronograph ref. 5370P or an F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Calibre 1499.3.

How Many Times Do You Switch Watches During The Day?  

I switch one to two times as my profession doesn’t allow for me to wear a lot of my watches. My daily wearer is a Rolex Explorer ref. 214270 or a Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ ref. 126710BLRO. After work or If I’m attending an event, I usually will bring along something to swap. 

If You Had to Keep and Wear Only One Watch From Your Current Collection to Wear for the Rest of Your Life, Which One Would That Be?  

This is such a tough question. I love the complication on my Patek Philippe Annual Calendar with Moon Phases ref. 5205R as it handles dress and casual attire situations very well. However, an everyday to beat and wear would be my Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN Black Dial. It’s a perfect watch. 

If You Had to Have a Three-watch Collection What Would it Look Like?

That’s very difficult to answer. I would go with a dress, sporty and a wildcard. In my book those would be a stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN, a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 5270, and an F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Calibre 1499.3.