WHO TO FOLLOW: @VancouverFilmProducer
Andy GreenFilm and television producer Jonathan Schwartz lives in Vancouver (obviously) with his wife and two kids. He’s also got a passion for cars, guitars and of course — watches.
Hey Jonathan, what’s your daily watch and why?
My daily watch is my Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711R Tiffany Dial. There is no other watch in my collection that makes me feel the way that this one does. It’s thin, and it has a great weight to it; it just looks amazing in any and all circumstances. It’s very much a piece that I’ve always wanted, and I feel very fortunate to have it. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I part with it!
Do you have a favourite timepiece?
It’s hard to choose a favourite, but I’d have to say either my Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711R or the Aquanaut 5164A, both Tiffany dials. They are similar, but at the same time, so different. Ironically, I was in NYC a few weeks ago and didn’t bring the Aquanaut. It would have been perfect for the travel time, but I chose the 5711R and my Patek Philippe Grand Complication Perpetual Calendar Moonphase 3970R. There are only so many watches I can genuinely rotate through. Maybe I’ll start double wristing to double the wearability!
So, what criteria do you look for when buying a watch?
Comfort, rarity, liquidity. Even though I don’t sell my Pateks, it’s good to know that one day they might be worth more than I paid (hopefully). I’m also a vintage Seiko collector, so I certainly look for horological significance when purchasing those. And the condition is everything with me.
Working in such a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, how do you like to unwind?
I usually unwind by looking for watches online. We have a great watch chat group that I am fortunate to be in, and the knowledge that gets dropped is really unbelievable. I am also in the process of collecting a time-only vintage Patek vertical, so it’s been resulting in a ton of reading and research. All fun for sure.
Being a film and TV producer, I imagine time-management is a pretty crucial part of your life. What’s your watch of choice when running around on set?
On set, I’m usually in my Patek Aquanaut (5167R) Tiffany. It’s pretty low-key and not too blingy like a yellow gold watch would be. I used to wear my yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, and people looked at me funny!
Speaking of films, do you find yourself ‘watch spotting’ on set? Have you spotted anything particularly noteworthy?
I’m always looking at every wrist on set, and I’ve seen a few beauties. My producing partner wears a gorgeous Patek World Time. Reference 5130r. I’ve noticed a few directors have been in vintage subs. It’s fun to see the different personalities and how their watches genuinely reflect their persona.
Looking at your Instagram feed, it’s clear you’ve got a taste for Patek. What is it you love about the brand?
I can only speak from my own experience, but their customer relations have been second to none. I wanted to invest my time, energy and money into a brand that would appreciate me as a customer, and there could not be a better scenario than what I have going right now. It’s like a little family. For me, it’s more enjoyable that way.
Let’s talk Seiko – you mentioned earlier you have 100 or so in your collection. How did this love for Seiko start?
My grandfather wore a Seiko until the day he died, and his watch was passed down to me. It’s a two-tone quartz. I joke and say that if you went on eBay, searched Seiko, and then organised it from lowest price first, this would be the watch first up. But to me it is priceless. Then I started researching Seiko and began to realise how significant the brand is and, more importantly, was. That got me down the rabbit hole of vintage Seiko. It’s a passion for sure.
On Seiko, could you tell me about a couple of the favourite pieces that you own?
My three favourites are: Firstly, my 6139-6000 Pogue Automatic Chronograph. It’s 100 per cent original — even the crystal with the outer metal retainer ring. QC sticker still on the bracelet. The 6139 was released to the public in May 1969, and the one I have has a serial dating it to MARCH of 1969. Yup. It’s got a notched case, two-piece sweeping hands, and the serif on the sub-registers. The cherry on top is that it has a prototype chrono wheel. This one is the pinnacle of my Seiko collection for sure.
Secondly, my Seiko Automatic Diver 6105-8119 with the original strap it was sold on. It’s just stunning. And finally, my Seiko Diver 6306-7001, which is in fantastic condition. It’s a Japanese Domestic Market model, and all ’round a super sturdy piece.