The Watch Editor’s Pick – Tomasz Kieltyka

An Interview with Tomasz Kieltyka

Without going into the long-lasting dispute about who is a journalist, who is a blogger, and which of this two is better (like it matters) we tried to find out about a more interesting topic: what are the personal favorite watches of watch editors and which timepieces would they purchase when having unlimited resources. In the next coming weeks (every second Monday) we will bring you some of the biggest names from the world of watch editors, both acclaimed authors with an impressive track-record and new-age digital-world bloggers, who re-shape(d) journalism as we know it today.

So without further ado, here is “Watch Editor’s Picks”, featuring Tomasz Kieltyka – founder and editor of chronos24.pl

Who are you?

Tomek (Tomasz Kieltyka), aged 36. I own and edit the very first Polish website dedicated entirely to luxury wristwatches – Chronos24.pl. My articles can be also found in “Forbes” and many other magazines. Apart from that, I have been running an interactive agency for over 15 years. I must have become a true “wristwatch junkie” nearly two decades ago. It came to my mind after realizing that besides being addicted to listening to the music of the 60’s, I acquired a habit for looking at other people’s wrists. I could go on and on talking and writing about watches on a 24/7 basis, but wearing and observing them being made is what I find most pleasurable. Visiting watch manufacturers is the best part of my job.

If I had to pick a different profession I would probably become an adventurer or write detective novels for a living. Apart from that, I’m just an ordinary guy, who loves his wife, dogs and Aperol Spritz in Italy.

Tell us about your ordinary writer’s day?

It starts very early and ends way too late. As the owner of an interactive agency I spend my mornings on reading and replying to emails, making phone calls and meeting people. Then, I usually go through and catalogue the latest press materials, to be up to date with the watch industry and brands I write about. While testing a particular timepiece, I often make notes, which help me to create the final review. Following my daily routine I then focus on publishing fresh content on my website. We make sure to publish new stuff everyday. There is also time to update our social media profiles with new photos and links.

Each day looks slightly different, especially when I travel. On average, I visit watch manufacturers and participate in important events twice a month, which apart from being very memorable, gives me plenty of new material to be shared with my readers. As you can see, I don’t have a lot of spare time…

What’s your favorite watch to wear (and why)?

Most of the time, what you can see on my wrist is Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, which I bought 5 years ago at the particularly important time of my life, along with the launching of chronos24.pl website. I often joke that it was influenced directly by seeing this timepiece on James Bond’s wrist in “Casino Royale”. Since then, I was “on a mission” to create a service dedicated to luxury wristwatches. For me, Omega does not only bring pleasant memories, but reassembles everything what is associated with the most reliable timekeepers. It also goes well not only with casual clothes, but would even make a great addition to more formal outfits. I don’t think I will ever get bored of it!

Which watch is your Holy Grail timepiece?

When I started my collector’s journey I decided that all watches I’d like to own and those ones, which I decide to buy, must be worn. Possessing them just for the sake of putting them on display does not make any sense for me. As per above, my current “Holy Grail” of watches, as far as buying watches is concerned, would be something, that I’d love to see on my wrist and could afford at the same time. Currently, at the top of my list are: Panerai PAM560, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore (Navy version) and Patek Phillipe Nautilus, which might not make a very sophisticated choice for some. If I won the lottery one day, I would treat myself to Rolex Deepsea 116660 and Spirit Wing Commander from Peter Speake-Marin.

What’s your best advice for a beginner collector with a 1500 Euro budget?

First and most important is to avoid counterfeits. However tempting a new Rolex or Patek Phillipe might look, it is not possible to buy one for a low price.

While having a tight budget, buying a second-hand timepiece is well worth considering. There are websites especially dedicated to this option. To avoid making a terrible blunder, we should check opinions about seller and make a conscious choice. 1500 Euros might not seem much, but can give us a decent selection of Cartier, Omega, TAG Heuer, Zenith or Seiko models. However, if we opt to buy a brand new watch, personally I would strongly recommend the Heritage collection from Longines, which refers to brand’s great past and it’s flagship models.

The Polish version of this interview can be found on www.chronos24.pl