Carlo Biagioli
Founder, The Vintageur
For over forty years, Carlo Biagioli has travelled the world with the trained eye of a true connoisseur — through flea markets and luxury salons, quiet auctions and forgotten provincial watchmakers — assembling a collection defined by authenticity, rarity, and that elusive quality collectors simply call "presence." As the founder of The Vintageur, he has turned a lifetime of instinct and obsession into a reference platform for enthusiasts of vintage watchmaking, and brought the beauty of vintage timepieces to a global audience through his photography and storytelling.
How did your passion for watches begin, and what was the watch that really started it all for you?
My passion was born from following my instincts. I have never chosen a watch because it was fashionable or as an investment, but for the character it conveyed. My first true love was an Omega Speedmaster, which made me realise that a watch can tell the story of an adventure and capture a unique moment in time.
What is it about vintage watches that continues to fascinate you? Is it the design, the history, the craftsmanship, or something else?
I am fascinated by their ability to serve as silent witnesses to different eras. Design and craftsmanship are important, but what truly matters is the history they carry and the way they awaken the memory of a particular moment.
Do you remember the first vintage watch you bought, and what attracted you to it?
My first watch was a Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox. I was captivated by its mechanical alarm function: a poetic detail that transformed time into an everyday companion.
When you're looking for a vintage watch, what are the details that immediately catch your eye?
I follow my instincts: the patina of the dial, the shape of the case, the proportions of the hands. These are details that speak of authenticity and character, rather than perfection.
What are your five favourite watches of all time, and what do you love about each one?
- —Rolex Submariner — an icon of simplicity.
- —Omega Speedmaster — forever linked to the conquest of space.
- —Patek Philippe Calatrava — pure elegance.
- —Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso — ingenious design.
- —Cartier Tank — artistic refinement.
Rolex Submariner · Omega Speedmaster · Patek Philippe Calatrava · Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso · Cartier Tank
If money and availability were no object, which watch would you choose to add to your collection, and why?
A Patek Philippe 1518 in steel. Not because of its monetary value, but because it represents the pinnacle of classical watchmaking and the freedom to choose without limits.
Is there a watch in your collection that has a particularly special story or meaning for you?
A Jaeger-LeCoultre Duoplan that I found at a market. It is not especially valuable, but it captures the joy of an unrepeatable moment, like a photograph preserving a fragment of memory.
Who inspires you, both within the world of watches and outside it?
I am inspired by everyone, whether well known or not, who shares daily posts or stories about watches on social media and celebrates the beauty of vintage pieces. This whirlwind stirs people's emotions and raises awareness.
Are there any lesser-known brands, references or periods in watchmaking that you think deserve more attention?
The vast majority of watches produced during the 1940s and 1950s deserve our fullest attention. Nothing created during those years was ever ordinary.
What do you think vintage watches offer that modern watches sometimes lack?
Vintage watches offer uniqueness and magic: every piece is one of a kind. Modern watches often lack that same "soul."
Your Instagram and TikTok have brought watches to a much wider audience. What have you enjoyed most about sharing your passion for watches online?
I enjoy sharing because every post is like a photograph of a moment in time. Knowing that someone has discovered a watch through my content is the true reward.
Looking ahead, what are you hoping to do with Vintageur, and where would you like to take the project over the next few years?
I would like it to become an international point of reference, not purely for commercial purposes, but as a way of experiencing and sharing moments of freedom and memory. Events, collaborations and a global community: a project that evolves, just like time itself.
Mulholland Watch Club · Interviews