Mishal Kanoo lived in Dubai all of his life, except when in Houston for his degrees. He worked for Arthur Andersen and is now Chairman UAE and Oman of the family business, the Kanoo Group, one of the Gulf’s largest and longest-running family conglomerates (125 years). In addition to Kanoo Shipping, covering every port from the Suez Canal to India, the family also has one of the longest reigns in the travel industry: Kanoo Travel is one of the largest travel firms in the Middle East today with more than 140 offices.
Beyond the successful business man, Mishal is a father, a husband and a true watch enthusiast with a delightful sense of humor. He shares with us his respect of craftsmanship and his vision of each piece as a work of art – and sometimes a window to its owner’s traits.

1. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP A PASSION FOR TIMEPIECES? IS THERE A PARTICULAR PRODUCT, COLLECTOR, A CREATOR MAYBE THAT MOTIVATED THIS?

My fascination with watches came from a young age but did not fully blossom till I realized the mastery that goes into making a time piece. I mean for example, a piece that is able to stand the test of time and perform each and every time the complex operations that its creators wanted it to perform. A function such as that of a repeater is something that caught my imagination. It is ordered and functional but more importantly, it is a piece of art that you can take with you and share with people. And the bonus part is that if it has a certain function, it can be your very own special escape from the world around you. Also, my loving wife won’t allow me to collect women, so I collect watches…just joking!
As for which brand held a fascination for me, it was Breguet. To me, this was the ultimate refinement; a Breguet watch meant: “the one who wears me not only has style but is very refined”. This was the one brand I aspired to acquire. In fact, a beautiful Breguet Tourbillon was the first significant watch I acquired from an auction house (Christie’s) back in 1995.

2. WHAT IS THE STORY OF THE FIRST TIMEPIECE YOU GOT? WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT IT?

The very first real piece that I ever got was a Bulgari watch with a black leather strap that my brother and sister chipped in for me as a graduation present. Not that it is an expensive watch, but it is the second most meaningful watch I own.

3. WHICH PIECE DO YOU CONSIDER THE CORNERSTONE OF YOUR COLLECTION AND WHY? ANY SENTIMENTAL REASONS?

The most important watch I own is my father’s gold Rolex with his initials. It is the best link I have between me and my father who passed away over 25 years ago.
Nevertheless, as regards to my whole collection, I do not consider any of my watches to be a corner stone, simply because they are all significant to me, like my paintings. If I don’t love it, I don’t buy it.

4. AND THE PIECE WHICH ADDS VALUE TO YOUR COLLECTION?

I have mentioned sentimental pieces, but when it comes to watches that add value to my collection, the simple answer is that all do. Each one represents a different shape or movement. They differ by brands and moment in time. But they all hold a dear place in my heart because I look at them as pieces of art that trigger my emotion, whether they are expensive or less expensive.
As a matter of fact, I won’t consider buying cheap watches. It’s not because I am an elitist, it’s because a cheap mass manufactured watch is not the work of artisans who perfected their craft over the years to accomplish something that I can only aspire to. Each watch brings a certain joy to my eyes and heart.

5. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO COLLECTORS STARTING OUT?

The set of advice I can offer someone starting out is to read a lot about what you are buying. Ask about what you are looking for to a lot of people who are in the know. Don’t buy because someone told you so. And be prepared to walk away if you feel that you are not getting what you are looking for, both in terms of price and quality.
Don’t buy a Rolex Submariner just because people tell you must have one, get it if you like sporty watches. Also, be prepared to compare new versus vintage (we never use the word old!) and see what is out there before you commit.

6. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WATCHMAKING?

What is there not to like when you think how hard it is to make it yourself?
It is like having both a functional item – that appeals to one side of the brain -, and an artful item – that’s for the other side of the brain - in one simple, portable and exquisite piece sitting beautifully on your wrist.
Moreover, it makes a statement about you and your philosophy. A Rolex Daytona may state you are sporty yet elegant. A plain Patek repeater shows you are simple on the outside but complex on the inside. A Hublot says that you might have taste but that you are not sure of your own opinion. Finally, when a watch is overwhelmed by diamonds or any other precious jewels, it is not the watch but the jewelry that is making the statement.

7. HOW DO YOU COMPOSE YOUR COLLECTION?

I am like a hunter when it comes to watches. I first survey the scene and then, if a piece grabs my attention, I go after it. Vintage or new, if it is pleasing to the eye and interesting in movement, I will set my mind on it. I am a collector and that is never a good thing! Because being a collector means I collect and rarely ever get rid of anything.

8. WHAT IS YOUR CRAZIEST MOVE AS A COLLECTOR?

This does not happen often in fact. But a good example is that one time I did take a huge risk: I got a pocket watch that belonged to Sultan Abdul Hamid the 2nd, who was the last Sultan of the Ottomans, by bidding a silly amount of money with an auctioneer that I had never heard of (sorry but I won't give the name as I don't want competitors knowing my sources!).

9. WHAT ARE THE LATEST PIECES YOU GOT?

Recently, Maximilian Büsser, an independent Swiss watchmaker, came to see me in my office to show me the latest version of his madness. I usually hate perpetual calendar but when Max showed the MB&F LM Perpetual and its mechanism that made it “fool proof”, I was sold on it. It was also special because Max came to tell me about it in person.
Another piece I freshly got is a custom made watch by Grieb and Benzinger with a repeater made especially for me. It is also special because I became good friends with Georg, one of the partners at Grieb and Benzinger.
Lastly, I got a seriously custom made watch by Van Cleef and Arpels who made a unique watch for my wife and I that has our names in Arabic. The designer, Thomas, is a genius.

10. WHICH THREE PIECES SHOULD BE FOUND IN THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION?

Only three? The simple answer is that the pieces that any collector should have are the pieces that he or she loves.

11. DO YOU HAVE YOUR NEXT PIECE IN MIND?

Like candy to a child, there are too many to sample and not enough time to enjoy them all.

By Tiffany Busser