“In my early twenties I started working at Davidoff of London, the St James’s cigar shop opened by my father Edward in 1980. I have always been directly or peripherally involved in my father’s business, but, in 2009, after working in investment banking for nine years, it became my sole career. I count myself incredibly lucky to be able to work with a product I love. My father’s passion for cigars and pipes ignited my own interest. He gave me my first cigar, a Davidoff no.2, when I turned 16 and told me no matter what I smoke in my life, nothing will beat the quality and pleasure of a hand-made cigar. He was right.
I value quality and the classic. Understated elegance is the aesthetic I most admire and the one I hope I achieve. In our business I have learnt never to judge a customer by the price of his clothes. At work I am usually in a suit, however my personal style is relatively informal. I am most comfortable in a white T-shirt and jeans, with a few choice accessories – usually a favourite watch. The first watch I bought for myself was a TAG Heuer Monza, and the first ‘serious’ watch I bought was a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Geographic. I am a big fan of Audemars Piguet, particularly the Royal Oak collection. I feel lucky to be able to say that I own a grey dial, bi-metal Royal Oak and a first generation, titanium Offshore.
I also have a few classic IWCs and Rolexes in my collection. I do also dream of owning an A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar. My favourite watches are all gifts from my parents. At 16, my father gave me his steel Rolex Datejust, which in turn had been given to him by his father when he turned 18. It is a timeless classic and such a comfortable watch to wear. Both of my Royal Oaks were also gifts from my parents, and have inscriptions on the back from them. Making them nostalgic and unique, I hope to pass them on to my own children in time.”
