John Varvatos and Ernst Benz on Investing in Something That Will Last a Lifetime

In the last installment of iWs exclusive interview with clothing designer John Varvatos and Leonid Khankin, Ernst Benz Director and Watchmaker, the two creative minds discuss investment. One of the goals of their collaborative collection was to create a timepiece that was something to invest in- a timepiece that not only looked like it had been passed down generation to generation, but would be passed down generation to generation. An excerpt from "Perfectly Imperfect" found in the Pages of iW&On Location New York Edition: THIS FALL THOSE BUYERS will soon have another option within the John Varvatos Limited Edition collection: A new limited edition will launch featuring an all-black case and dial. In addition, the newest John Varvatos boutique in Boston features a special showcase that allows customers to design their own watches in the store, choosing from a new selection of straps with Varvatos-specific skins, hues and stitching, as well as opting for their own choice of dial. And the service is not limited to the initial purchase. "If after a few years the customer wants an update, we can put on a new dial or a new strap or even more." Only the movement is off limits. "John understands more than anyone what bespoke watchmaking can mean in terms of personalizing the watch for the customer," says Khankin. "It&like great tailoring: taking what exists and making it according to the customer&wishes."