The Luxury Watch Blog

MD: Stefano, can you describe your role at Girard-Perregaux and tell us what areas you oversee?

SM: That is the one billion-dollar question! (laughing) I have three main roles inside Girard-Perregaux. First, I’m involved in product design. Second, I am responsible for the global Girard-Perregaux corporate image including our retail concept. And third, I am in charge of the BMW-Oracle Racing partnership. From the relationship with the Challenge to the design of limited editions dedicated to our America’s Cup partnership. In general, I’m working on keeping the brand image and the design consistent in different fields. We have a clear vision of what makes Girard-Perregaux and pay close attention to our brand’s integrity.

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Largely perceived as a women’s brand in recent past, Ebel is taking a stab at the men’s mechanical watch market under the leadership of its new brand president Thomas van der Kallen.

As we greet the return of an estranged friend – with open arms and a pinch of doubt, followed by delight as we discover each defining characteristic intact – so we applaud Ebel’s return to the men’s mechanical watch arena. Under LVMH ownership between 1999 and 2003, the brand was slung towards the fashion end of the watch business, and in that time, it had come to be known largely as a maker of women’s watches, in particular steel watches with diamonds. Not a bad thing, if it hadn’t lost a fair chunk of its heritage in men’s watches in the process. That is about to change, we expect. Now owned by US-based Movado Group and led by its new brand president Thomas van der Kallen, Ebel is shifting gears, aligning its focus, staging a comeback in men’s mechanical watches. The chosen champion in this quest is the 1911 BTR collection of men-only watches, boasting proprietary mechanical movements, useful complications (GMT, perpetual calendar, chronograph) and most important of all, signature style of original 1911, in edgier dress for today’s market. Thomas van der Kallen speaks to REVOLUTION about the new Ebel, and how the watchmaker plans to reclaim its place in the male psyche, borne on the legitimacy and iconic design of the re-born 1911.

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Malcolm McDowell is known for many memorable film roles, including Mick Travis in O Lucky Man!, Alex De Large in A Clockwork Orange, and Dr. Tolian Soran in Star Trek Generations. Malcolm’s newest film, Gangster No. 1 is in theaters now. What most people don’t know is that Malcolm is also an avid wristwatch collector.

In this inteview with TZ’s Mike Disher, Malcolm talks about watches, collecting, Morgan sports cars, films, and more.

MD: Mike Disher

MM: Malcolm McDowell

MD: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us today.

MM: It’s a pleasure. I am a great fan of old watches, and a modest collector.

MD: How long have you been collecting writstwatches?

MM: I’ve been collecting since 1979.

MD: That’s about the time you moved to California?

MM: That’s exactly the time I moved to the United States, yes it is.

MD: How did you become interested in wristwatches?

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