Interview with Perpetuelle Editor, Kyle Stults

Kyle Stults is the founder and editor of Perpetuelle.com, an online wristwatch publication read by watch enthusiasts all over the world. Stults’s passion and enthusiasm for watches is evident through his in-depth analyses of the latest luxury and avant-garde timepieces.

What is your favorite watch for everyday wear? What do you like about it? Mechanics or style?
My favorite wear right now is the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 45mm, Ref 2200.51 (with orange “12” “6” and “9” on the dial.). As with any watch I’ve owned in the last decade or will own in the future, I wear the SMPO purely for its looks, not to keep track of time.  In fact most often I don’t even bother to set the time.  I’m really into NATO style straps right now, and I switch up straps almost every day I put the watch on.  I am currently rotating through black, orange (perfectly matching the dial numerals), olive green, and the “James Bond NATO” (black/olive/maroon stripes).

What is the most sentimental watch in your collection? How did it come into your possession?
One sentimental piece is a vintage Omega Seamaster I purchased in Boston about a decade ago. I’ve dated it back somewhere between 1948 (the year Omega debuted the Seamaster) and 1950.  One of these days I’ll try to get an extract from the Omega archive.  It is simple yet pleasing to the eye, with a “bumper” style automatic movement inside.  And, it is completely unlike modern day Seamasters, yet another reason why I like it so much.

 

What are you excited to wear next, or what timepiece is the next to add to your collection?
Very tough question! Quite honestly my “wish list” changes frequently.  Running Perpetuelle.com, and looking at watches every day I see soooo many watches I would like to own.  When it comes to my next watch purchase, I am never short on ideas.

 

Is there a timepiece out there that you would never wear, but respect nonetheless?
The only thing that comes to mind is Rolex. I have huge respect and admiration for Rolex and its immense contributions to the watch industry, both past and present.  One thing I’ve learned, though, is to “never say never.”  Case in point:  I had to turn down an invitation from Rolex a couple years ago (due to extenuating family circumstances) to be part of an exclusive visit to their headquarters and manufacture.  It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to turn down, but my point is that if anything could have turned me into a Rolex aficionado, that probably would have been it.  But as it stands today, a Rolex (vintage or modern) is probably one of the last watches I would ever buy.  It’s not a matter of quality or aesthetics or innovation – as I say I respect all that deeply – it’s simply a matter of quantity.  I tend to prefer the road less travelled, so to speak.

 

What trends are you most excited about from Basel? What trends are you ready to put to bed?
Nothing in particular. I don’t really care about trends, I care about discovering and sharing great watches with my readers, whenever and wherever they come from.

 

What are your thoughts on the Apple Watch? Will it spell impending doom for the Swiss watch industry or is it a flash in the proverbial pan?
My first reaction to the Apple Watch was to write an article about its interesting mechanical features, which I suppose shows you where my head is at. As to its potential impact on the Swiss watch industry, I’ll simply refer you to my Tweet of March 9, 2015 which tells you all you need to know about who should and should not be concerned with the Apple Watch:

 

True purveyors of haute horlogerie have nothing to fear from the Apple Watch. Period.

— Perpetuelle (@perpetuelle) March 9, 2015