Dan-Andrei Kluska is the founder of Watch I Love Magazine and WatchIlove.com, born and raised in Eastern Europe, today he finds himself based in Germany.

1. Describe briefly your childhood.

I am an Eastern-European born and raised child. The first 10 years of my life were spent under the heavy burden of communism, the next 10 were lived under the mirage of the new capitalism.

I was like anyone else, kind of poor but dreaming of a better world (Go West by The Pet Shop Boys sounds like fun now, back then it was the biggest dream).

Despite a difficult childhood, I was surrounded by exceptional good music (my parents had a big collection of records), a huge library (my maternal grandparents were great readers), fresh air, hard work and the values of religion (my paternal grandparents lived in the country and were very religious).

2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?

I was always a rebel, spoke my mind and asked difficult questions. I am more than sure, that if Communism remained, I would now be in jail, or worse. I wanted to be free. I was always good with my hands and, at some point, my parents thought seriously that I should go to art school, sculpture class – but I realized that I will have no future with it there (in Romania). Since I loved watches, I seriously thought to try fine mechanics, to build and repair watches. Back then, there were two watchmakers I knew in the city, barely making a living. So, I put this dream aside too… It was cruel that, at 12 years old I was so pragmatic. I knew I wanted to do more in life and decided I wanted to do University studies.

And to answer the question: I wanted to do more than survive. I have always been a dreamer and a fighter – I wanted to reach the skies but I was strongly anchored in reality.

3. What is your first significant memory as a child?

A very early memory is a bottle of Pepsi. In communism, these kinds of things were impossible to find (smuggled goods) but my grandparents had some legal way to find them. So, 2 consecutive years for Christmas, my bigger sister and I received a small bottle of Pepsi each – pure happiness. Even now, I drink Pepsi more as a reminder of that happiness.

4. Have you ever had another profession?

My daily job and income source is as an electronic hardware engineer in an automotive company.

5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?

I’ve always loved watches and finding a group of friends with the same interest sparked a passion that would shape my adult life. We did extensive research on the “new” .ch websites of various brands and talked about hot stuff like triple-axis-tourbillon or co-axial escapement. 15 years ago, the information was scarce and this developed in my head the idea of gathering as much information as possible. Moving to Germany made it possible to get really close to the world of watches, to see the first high complications and to buy my first Swiss watches. In 2014, after an intensive search of various watch related topics, I decided to put it all together and share the information with everyone who had an interest in it. This is how the Watch I Love concept was born. Since then, I dedicate my time to sharing as much watch-related content as I can.

6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?

Working as a technician at a data service provider during my time at the University. It was the most “un-creative” job I’ve ever had.

7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?

I was 14. I was visiting my grandparents when my grandmother committed suicide. I had to deliver the news to the family. After that, not another word left my mouth for 3 days.

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?

There are many fictional and non-fictional characters that shaped my youth. Reading was my escape from a reality I didn’t like and I used to identify with the characters from the novels I read, for instance, Gavroche from Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables was the first character that gave me courage in life. But growing up I learned that everyone around me is inspiring. Every person that did or does something special or excels in their profession is an inspiration.

As an adult, I discovered Jean-Claude Biver. I find his life and way of thinking very inspiring for us, the new generations. With his teachings and his altruistic approach, he knew how to shape the people around him in order to achieve greatness.

And Snoopy with his philosophy of life! (“One of the great joys in life is scarfing junk food!”)

9. What are you most proud of?

My wife! Maybe it sounds puerile, but the fact that I never gave up the dream of being with her made us be now together. Without her, and her support, I would not have followed my “watch” dreams and write these answers today.

10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?

Dream as big as possible, keep your head in the sky but your feet on the ground. Always fight for what you consider to be right and never stop believing in yourself. Assume your decisions and mistakes and make the best of them and you will never regret them.

11. Name three things on your bucket list.

To have a watch made especially for me, to drive the European Mediterranean coast in an Aston Martin grand tourer, to spend some time in Japan and get to know its traditional and modern culture (maybe learn a bit of the language).

12. Where do you think the watch industry is going to be in 10 years’ time?

In an era of wearables, mechanical watches are objects of true desire, so they will always be present. The “quartz” watch will become more and more intelligent. But it will always exist the entire market, from cheap mechanical watches to high-end pieces.

I see the danger of losing the traditional ways and we need to fight for and support this trade as much as possible. I already met young watchmakers and seen a lot of talent so I am confident there is hope.

To learn more about Dan-Andrei Kluska