Gstaad seems to attract the international jet set crowd. Even those living as far away as India.
Since a few years Saif Ali Khan, one of India’s best known actors and producers has come to the Palace for winter vacation with his glamorous wife Kareena Kapoor who incidentally is also an actress and super star in India.
Together they are one of Mumbai’s most glamorous couple. Saif Ali Khan comes from the noble Pataudi family and his father was captain of the Indian Cricket Team. While Saif is primarily an actor he recently started this own production company Illuminati Films and now is also a producer of movies. Saif was kind enough to sit down with LME to talk about his relationship with Watches and show us his diverse and very impressive watch collection.
He was, as always, dressed immaculately-wearing a three -piece suit and guess what- wearing a pocket watch- now that is style!
We are honoured to interview him below.
LME: When did you first become interested in watches?
Ali Khan: As young actor in Bombay it seemed fashionable at the time. A lot of actors I admired collected watches (like Sanjay Dutt). I find a timepiece to be very elegant, it says something about a person and your choice of style.
What was your first watch?
Ali Khan: A Omega Constellation which I bought in Switzerland at the Zurich airport for $1’000. Unfortunately it was stolen since.
What fascinates you about watches? Is it the mechanical aspect of a watch? The aesthetics?
Ali Khan: Both. Perhaps more the aesthetics of the watch. A watch has to look good, first and foremost.
I saw you running at the gym in a Patek Nautillus. Why a Nautillus?
Ali Khan: Because I can go swimming with it! All my other watches have leather, this particular Nautillus was a gift from my wife. She gets me a watch every year.
You have a special relationship with Jaeger Le Coultre (JLC). Can you tell us more about that?
Ali Khan: I wore a reverso in a photo-shoot with JLC and lets say I have a soft association with them which means I get their watches but do not get paid for it.
What are your favorite watches?
Ali Khan: Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and IWC. I also like Lange (Saif proudly show me a beautiful Lange 1)
Do you know own any vintage watches?
Ali Khan: Yes I own a 1947 Enamel watch by Puluzi made by Universal watch. The Maharaja of Kashmir had some made for the polo team in India when India got its independence. I also own a 1954 Rolex Explorer I bought from a second hand shop dealer , the same watch as Tenzing Norgay wore when he climbed Everest in 1953 along with Sir Hillary
Are luxury watches sought after in India? Which brands are the strongest there?
Ali Khan: All the usual suspects: Vacheron, Patek etc.
He can chose one, or the other or both.
- Rolex or Patek? Patek
- Tourbillon or Minute Repeater? Minute Repeater
- Evening watches or Sport Watches? Both
- Panerai or Audemars? Panerai
- Pocket watches or wristwatches? Both
