We are starting off 2015 with an interview with our dear friend Marlon De Simone. Marlon is a second generation dealer based in beautiful Roma. He and his brother and father are the proprietors of Watches in Rome, specializing in both vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe. Growing up living and breathing watches, Marlon has a keen appreciation for all things vintage and an eye for quality. He is this week's Horological Minute.

What was your first watch?

My first watch was a gift for my 18th birthday from my father. It was a Rolex 5513 Sub from 1986 (My birth year). The first watch I bought myself was also a 5513, but with a gilt underline dial from 1963. I bought it on ebay about 9 years ago, when no one really cared much about the difference of gilt/non gilt, etc. I paid for it with 4 months working salary!

What was the last watch you bought?

The last watch I bought was a near mint 6541 Milgauss with one of the best bezel inserts I've ever seen. The turning bezel coupled with the perfect tritium honeycomb dial made it one of my favorite Rolex sports watches. I'm really in love with the combination of all the components of this watch: The unique bezel, lightning hand, honeycomb dial and antimagnetic case all make for a unique and special design!

Do you prefer vintage or modern?

Absolutely Vintage!! But I have some modern favorites as well, like the PP 5070P and the Rolex Rainbow Daytona.

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

The last great meal was at ASSUNTA MADRE- the best fish restaurant in Rome, possibly the world. The owner owns the fishing boat that catches most of the fish offered at the restaurant. The quality and freshness are second to none. Usually when I go there, I take the raw fish crudo, with scampi, red prawn, oysters, bluefin tuna and sea bass. After that, I always have the lobster tagliolini. Simply amazing!

Do you remember what watch you were wearing?

Yes, I wore a gold Paul Newman for the occasion. It is the perfect watch to match the ambience of the restaurant- elegant and iconic.

What do you love about vintage Rolex?

I love the concept and history behind each and every model. The desire to constantly improve every model and achieve new patents, etc. is really a hallmark of the history of Rolex. This ends up giving collectors an array of several different watches to collect all within a similar theme.

Strap or bracelet?

I'm traditional, so I love to wear these watches on their original bracelets. My favorite being a pink gold watch on a pink gold band.

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

Definitely the Submariner. In particular, a 5513 with the 3/6/9 Explorer style dial. That was the first "Important" piece I every bought.

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

I would love to see watches that respect the history and classic design elements of the brand, not just watches that are made for current trends. If I could dream, I would love to see a steel moon phase with an automatic movement with a clean white dial and a 40mm case, like a modern "Padellone" 8171.

What's on your wrist today?

Today I'm wearing a Rolex Daytona 6263 Paul Newman MK2.