This week, we feature on the Horological Minute, investor/collector Edmond Saran. Edmond's primary business is investing in publicly traded companies with a strong branding and history. While not working, Edmond is writing his blog "Le Monde Edmond", that focuses on his passions- collecting wristwatches, classic cars, and photography. "Le Monde Edmond" is unique in its intellectual approach to collecting for passion with an eye for investment. As a collector, Edmond has a growing stable of several iconic vintage sports Rolex, as well as watches of other makes. A car enthusiast as well, he can often be found at the most prestigious car events around the world with a fine cigar in one hand, and a vintage rolex on the wrist.

What was your first watch?

Besides the numerous Casio calculator watches that I either broke, lost or simply got bored of, my first memorable nice watch was an Omega speed master given to me at 16. However it was the Rolex GMT Master II at 18 (a graduation present from my mother) that really sparked my interest in wristwatches. Oddly enough it would take another 18 years before I would buy another Rolex.

What was the last watch you bought?

The last watch I bought was a Rolex 6350 Explorer honeycomb dial from 1953.

Do you prefer vintage or modern?

I am completely into vintage watches. They have a patina, history and charm that no modern watch can give you. I am 100% a vintage watch collector. I also like owning things that are rare and exclusive and by definition therefore I am attracted to vintage watches. In the 1950s and 1960s they made few of everything and the quality was better. Today nothing is exclusive anymore and hardly anything has soul.

Can you remember your last great meal? Where was it and what did you eat?

I place a high value on eating well and take the time to do so on an everyday basis. But the last meal that I do remember in terms of quality and quantity of food was at Casa Aurelio here in Zurich. I ate so much that I could not sleep the entire night! I started with Sepia (fried calamari) then Pata Negra (Spanish ham) followed by a piece of Prime entrecote together with a piece of Veal (veal is in many ways the national dish of Zurich). For desert we had Crepes Suzettes with fresh vanilla ice – cream. It was accompanied by ‚Carajillo’ which is basically Coffee with brandy. I was smoking a Davidoff Millennium Blend robusto that night too. It was a great evening with too much food, alcohol and great friends – exactly like it should be!

Do you remember what watch you were wearing?

Yes I only remember as I was telling my friends (who love modern watches) that they should really start buying vintage watches (I had little success). I was wearing a 6204 Rolex submariner from 1954.

What do you love about vintage Rolex?

As I mentioned before I love patina, charm and soul of vintage. Also the simplicity of design. Take a submariner or GMT master. They will be timeless in another 100 years. Plus the patina of an old Rolex with radium spots and lume, or staring at a black glossy dial with the gilt writing, it gives you pleasure that no other brand can match. What I perhaps love most – is that you cannot buy into vintage Rolex without making mistakes. Much homework is required and it is really a battle of mastering the details. It takes years to build a world-class collection and allot of knowledge and mistakes. Money, alone, does not guarantee you a good collection-this is something I really like. Vintage Rolex is an addiction and I am addicted.

Strap or bracelet?

I personally often wear a strap as I like the sporty look of a Nato and my wrist does not adapt to a bracelet perfectly like a strap does. But I think Rolex does look the best on a bracelet. The original submariner bracelet is a masterpiece in design and I have to admit -Rolex watches often look best on a bracelet.

GMT/EXPLORER/SUB/DAYTONA or........?

I am mostly about Submariner and GMTs (only the gilt versions until 1963). These are the lines that speak most to me and really represent what Rolex DNA is all about. I am a lover of beauty and about aesthetics first and foremost. Submariner and GMT rule on this count. While sea dwellers are technically a masterpiece – their bulkiness and unattractiveness means it will never make it into my collection.

What do you want to see come out from Rolex at the next Basel Fair?

I don’t really follow modern Rolex watches and so I don’t have an opinion here. However I would like Rolex to pay more attention to their vintage watches and do more for the collecting community in terms of help, guidance and creating events. Collectors are really left on their own right now. I have to admit that here Patek is really is the gold standard to follow. They do an excellent job supporting the collecting community. Rolex would be well advised to learn from Patek here.

What's on your wrist today?

A Rolex `small crown’ submariner 6536-1 from 1957 from the original owners family.