Collector Check-In: Dominic Montazemi

By Charlie Dunne

Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with a local collector named Dominic Montazemi. The first time we met, Dominic was wearing a fantastic American-market LeCoultre Master Mariner Deep Sea reference E 558. “Are you wearing a Barracuda?” I asked. Surprised that I recognized his dual-crowned EPSA case, he proudly showed me the J.B. Champion bracelet that was likely originally sold with the watch. Dominic’s all-inclusive interest has found him focusing on angular cases, high-beat chronograph calibres, double-signed travel clocks, and even dash timers. He embraces warm patinated dials, and marvels over NOS watches. Whether wearing his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, or his Seiko Pogue, he gets an extreme amount of joy from wearing each watch in his collection.

Test driving timepieces at Wind Vintage HQ, I recall the time Dominic randomly jumped up, eagerly suggesting we have an impromptu photoshoot of his favorite watches. “It’s incredible out, come take a photo of me wearing this Autavia!” After we saw a few of the photos turned out nicely, he grabbed his entire watch roll and we moved the party by the pool.

Dominic’s passion for vintage watches is infectious to say the least. Not only does his presence remind Eric and I how much fun our job is, both of his daughters have supported his watch get-togethers by tagging along at the table and showing their own collections!

It always feels like a party with Dom. Shocked upon hearing I had never had Persian food, the next week he showed up with a massive spread for lunch and a group of new friends. Almost each day, Eric and I receive a wristshot in our group chat showing which watch he is wearing at the hottest jam-band concert, or which reference is keeping him company in the airport. On more than one occasion Dominic has lent a timepiece for a project I’m working on, and will often be the most vocally supportive of a long-form article, sending texts like “Charlie …. Not sure if you believe in “putting things out there” but I recall thinking when I had your Memovox E 875 on my wrist how happy I was for you to have that watch, and equally how much I would have loved to own it as well. I’m thrilled to own this watch and appreciate that you love it as well.”

Dominic is one of the greatest collectors, but it has nothing to do with his timepieces. It’s solely based on his good nature, friendship and enthusiasm. We are honored to call him a friend.