Cover Sieg Suarez of Watch Manila
Sieg Suarez of Watch Manila
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A chat with the Watch Manila head provides insight into the fast-growing community of watch aficionados in the country
Lawyer Sieg Suarez’s passion for watches goes way beyond his personal collection. By establishing Watch Manila, one of the leading watch platforms in the country, he has created an online venue where lovers of watches can read up on the latest releases, features on special timepieces, reviews and know what business leaders are wearing. The website was launched during the pandemic; it started as a passion project that has now evolved into a site to educate and inform people about the amazing world of horology. “I’ve long wanted to contribute to the watch industry. Covid-19 made me realise that time is short and you should just go and try to achieve your dreams. Through Watch Manila, I have seen the growth of the number of watch collectors in the Philippines. You will be surprised with the vastness of the watch collections of the aficionados in the country,” says Suarez.
Above IWC Schaffhausen Mark XX in silver and stainless steel, Tag Heuer Monaco, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute, Rolex GMT-Master and Rolex Explorer 39mm
IWC Schaffhausen Mark XX in silver and stainless steel, Tag Heuer Monaco, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute, Rolex GMT-Master and Rolex Explorer 39mm
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He was only seven when Suarez began to value watches. His first watches were Timex and Casio, which bear fond memories. His first “nice watch” was a Tag Heuer. “I gravitated towards watches because of my appreciation for time. Watches constantly remind me about time and how precious it is. Time can never be recovered once it passes. Watches are also works of art. Whenever, I appreciate watches, good energy flows inside me. By simply looking at a watch, I am reminded of all the milestones, memories and history attached to it. I also marvel at the thought that someone devoted a year or so to put together my watch.”
He prefers watches with timeless designs and cleaner styles. He is not a fan of very busy dials, with some exceptions. His advice to those who would like to start a collection but don’t know where to begin is to get classic models such as the Rolex Datejust or the Omega Speedmaster, or something similar. These pieces are considered reliable, comfortable and beautifully designed. Most importantly, he says that when it comes to watch collecting, get the watch you want and not what others want. At the end of the day, “you will be the one who will be spending time with your watch”.
Above Sieg Suarez wears Rolex GMT-Master
Sieg Suarez wears Rolex GMT-Master
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We had a chat with the lawyer and watch enthusiast on the relevancy of centuries-old fine watchmaking, watches as an investment and an individual’s self-expression through watches.
How do you think watches express one’s individuality? What watches do you have that are the most “you”?
A person usually buys a watch based on his or her lifestyle. A sporty person will tend to favour sports watches. A person who attends meetings for a big part of the day will likely wear a dress watch. As such, a watch is a representation of one’s individuality.
A watch that perfectly describes me is my Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute, a gift from my wife. The Reverso is a dress watch in today’s world. But its history says that it was built for polo players so that they can wear the watches without worrying about damaging the glass on the watch during a game. Like the Reverso, I look more formal for the most part as my profession involves a lot of meetings and socials; but on the other hand, also like the Reverso, I, too, am an active person albeit unbeknownst to many.
Above Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute
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How are heritage watches or centuries-old fine watchmaking, which focus on craftsmanship, relevant to the modern lifestyle? What can you tell those in the younger generations who don’t value history as much?
The foundation and the whole purpose of watches is the measurement of time. I am fascinated at the thought that master watchmakers can put hundreds of small pieces together in order to create an accurate timepiece. Up to today, there are complications and design elements which only humans can do. The idea of having a centuries-old craft being applied to modern watches reminds people of the roots of time measurement. Whatever direction the modern lifestyle may take, the watches we wear will always remind us of the essence of time. The best way to understand the true value of watches is by going beyond the hype and the price of the watches. The new generations of collectors should study the history of the watches and how they are made to have a deeper appreciation for the timepieces.
Above IWC Schaffhausen Mark XX in silver and stainless steel
IWC Schaffhausen Mark XX in silver and stainless steel
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Do you consider watches an investment? Can you give an example of a watch you have where its value has increased from the time you acquired it?
Definitely. While I never sell and never intend to sell any of the watches in my personal collection, it is reassuring to know that the financial value of most of my pieces has gone up. My Rolex GMT-Master Ref 16700 is a favourite and its value has increased by almost five-fold from the time I acquired it.
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