Dario is a Spanish collector who has over the last 20 years become one of the most intuitive and knowledgeable individuals in the watchmaking world, both for mainstream and independent brands.

1. What did your father do? what did your mother do?  

Businessman & Housewife

2. As a child did you have any driving ambition? What did you want to be?

Astronaut. Like 99% of all children, I guess…

3. What is your first memory as a child?

Escaping my crib by removing the wooden bars to do so.

4. Have you ever had another profession? What did you do?

No, but would have loved to be a news photographer

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

I cannot complain about any job. Always tried to make the best out of every situation.

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

Can’t really recall. I am used to look ahead to dwell to much in the past. I try not to be overly sentimental.

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you? 

My father

9.  What are you most proud of?

At the risk of sounding predictable, my family. I don’t like to dwell on personal achievements. Once one is done it is time to look ahead.

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

I don’t like to give advice for life-changing moments. Never got or asked advice from my father. Did not need to. Good role models do not give advice, they are advice. If you can’t make the connection, even at a young age, you are likely not to follow “good” advice in the first place. Sorry, no “follow your heart…” advice. Can’t stand that “easy way out” hippie rhetoric.

11.  Name three things on your bucket list.

• The first one I already did… Jump of a plane.

• The second I will never be able to… Go to a QUEEN concert with Freddy Mercury as the lead singer.

• The third would be to photograph an active volcano.

12. Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 year’s time.

The paper press has just died and now it is the turn of traditional retailers. Their poor work representing brands and constant issues with payment have made the situation unsustainable even if the market recovers. Time to cut most of them loose and it will take ten years to do so.

Commercial brands will have no choice but to come closer to their customers through their own retail stores/boutiques and social media. For independents, social events with collectors/buyers will become key for achieving direct sales.

In short. Independence for some and a return to traditional values for others.