Meet The Collector: A.R.B.

The Meet the Collector series is an exclusive interview feature on VELOCE, the premier social network designed specifically for watch enthusiasts to connect and share their passion. Each installment brings you in-depth conversations with diverse collectors from around the globe, diving into the personal stories, milestones, and unique emotional connections behind their favorite timepieces. Hosted right on the VELOCE app—where users can seamlessly track their watch wear stats, share wrist shots and collection highlights, and stay up to date with the latest horology news—this series goes beyond the spec sheets to celebrate the shared obsession and rich histories that unite the watch community.

Introduction - A.R.B:

I’m Alex, the 'A.R.B.' behind the brand actually stands for my full name but to my friends and followers, I am simply the guy with 400 watches and a story for every single one and for me, watches have never been about the price tag or the 'flex.'

I moved from Brazil to England ten years ago, and my life has been a series of deep responsibilities—from losing my father at a young age to currently being the primary caretaker for my mother as she navigates Alzheimer’s. These experiences shaped my view of time.

"To me, a watch is a vessel for history and a reflection of a person’s soul."

I started @arbalexwatches and Watch Addicts International because I wanted a space where the 'hype' didn't matter. I’ll wear a fashion watch just as proudly as a piece of high horology if the story is right. I’ve even taught myself watch repair and strap making because I want to understand the heartbeat of these machines.

My goal is simple: I want the next generation to look at their wrist and see more than a tool. I want them to see a piece of themselves. I love hearing how someone acquired a watch and why it matters to them—because at the end of the day, we aren't just collecting metal and gears; we’re preserving memories.

1. What was the first watch that actually made you care about watches?

The spark truly began with my father. I still have the image of him wearing his daily Omega etched into my mind. After he passed away in 1994—the same year we lost the legend Ayrton Senna—that watch was meant to come to me. However, being so young, it was kept 'safe' by my brother and, sadly, I never saw it again.

That loss stayed with me. Money was tight for my mother after my father died, so the Swatches all the other kids were wearing were out of reach. It wasn't until I started working that I finally bought a piece of my own: a Casio G-Shock DW-6900.

I’ve owned it for 25 years now, and it’s still ticking. So, while the G-Shock was the first I owned, the 'spark' was definitely that missing Omega. My collection lives in the space between those two memories.

2. If you had to wear one watch from your collection for a month straight, which one is it and why?

I’d reach for my Bulova Longwood Tonneau 96B144. Bulova is a brand I truly love, and the Precisionist movement inside this one is a work of art—the continuous sweep is mesmerizing and the accuracy is staggering.

Visually, the barrel-shaped case is stunning and provides a level of comfort that's hard to beat for a full month of wear. It’s simple, featuring only a date complication, which keeps the dial clean. While it’s only rated for 30m water resistance, that’s plenty for me; my watches lead a very dry life!

To me, it’s the ultimate 'Go Anywhere, Do Anything' (GADA) watch because it carries both style and soul.

More importantly, this was a gift from my mum. In a hobby often driven by specs, the fact that this watch came from her makes it the most 'accurate' representation of why I collect: it’s about the person who gave it to you.

3. Is there a watch you sold or traded that you deeply regret letting go?

Regret selling? Not at all—I’ve actually never sold a single watch in my life, which probably explains why my collection has grown to around 400 pieces! My regret is actually the opposite: a 'missed opportunity' caused by my own hand.

A friend brought me two watches for a deep clean and new straps: a TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 and an Omega Seamaster. He intended to sell both. I took my time, polished them up, and fitted fresh straps to bring them back to life. When he saw the TAG, he was so stunned by the transformation that he told his wife, 'It looks brand new.' She insisted he keep it, and he agreed. My 'mistake' was doing too good a job! I missed out on the TAG because I restored it too well, though I did manage to walk away with the Omega in the end. As for the price? That’s a secret I’m taking to the grave!

4. What’s your go-to "beater" or weekend watch—the one you don’t mind getting a few scratches on?

When it’s time to get my hands dirty—whether I’m out in the garden, under the car, or working on some woodwork—I reach for my Limit 5492 or my Tavistock & Jones PC32.

These aren't watches I sought out; they actually found me as part of different auction 'job lots' I’ve acquired over the years. They are incredibly affordable, reliable, and most importantly, I’m not precious about them. If they get a deep scratch or a knock while I’m fixing a bicycle, it just adds to their story. In a collection of 400, these are the 'soldiers' that take the hits so the others don't have to!

5. What is your current "Grail," and has that definition changed since you started?

For a long time, my 'Grail' was the Omega Seamaster Professional 600m Planet Ocean (Ref. 2900.50.81). It was a deeply personal goal for me; as an adult, I promised myself I’d eventually own an Omega just like my father did.

However, I’m a patient collector—some might say a 'cheap bastard'! I refuse to overpay, so I waited years for the right moment and the right price. When I finally acquired it from my friend (the story I mentioned earlier), it felt like a massive milestone. But has my definition of a 'Grail' changed? Honestly, I don’t believe they truly exist. The moment you summit one mountain, you’re already looking at the next peak. Right now, a Breitling is calling my name, but in this hobby, the 'Grail' is always a moving target.

6. What’s the most interesting friendship you’ve made through this hobby?

That would definitely be Josh, a guy from the US I met through a shared watch group. Sometimes, you just 'click' with someone, regardless of the miles between you. I actually dedicated a video to him titled 'Can a subscriber become a friend?' It only has 11 views, but to be honest, I couldn't care less about the metrics. I care about the friendship.

In a world that can often feel selfish, finding a genuine connection is rare. I’ve learned the hard way who my true friends are—back when I fell on hard times and struggled to even put food on the table, my circle became very small, very fast. Today, I can count my real friends on one hand, and it’s incredible to me that a hobby like watch collecting could bring one of those few people into my life.

7. Are you a "stock bracelet" purist, or do you love the "strap monster" life?

Hahaha, 'Strap Monster'—I love that! Honestly, I’m a bit of both. There are watches like my Bulova where the original bracelet is just a part of its DNA; it fits perfectly, so I wouldn’t dream of changing it.

On the other hand, my Omega has been through five different looks already, and I’m still chasing the 'perfect' one.

I’m so obsessed with the perfect pairing that I taught myself how to make them.
Paketa / Raketa 754111 / Theorema Casa Blanca – GM-101

I’ve custom-made the straps for my Omega, my Raketa, and my Theorema. The beauty of making your own is that you aren't limited by what’s in a catalog. I love pushing the boundaries of materials—lately, I’ve been moving past leather into carbon fiber and denim. If I can’t find the perfect strap for a watch, I’ll just build it myself.

"Being a 'Strap Monster' isn't just a hobby for me—it’s a craft."

8. What’s a lesson you learned the hard way when you first started collecting?

In this hobby, the learning curve never ends, but the hardest lesson I’ve learned is a cynical one: you have to be your own advocate. Trust, but verify. I’ve learned the hard way that not everyone in the watch world is honest, hardly. People lie, and they will cheat you if you aren't prepared.

More times than I can count, I’ve bought numerous watches that seemed 100% original, only to discover the heart of the watch had been swapped for something inferior or you may call it a “franken – movement”, a frankie watch.

This is exactly why I became a self-taught repairer. If you want to survive as a collector, you need to know what’s happening under the hood. Don’t just look at the dial; open the case back as soon as you get it. If you don't know what you're looking at, find out. Knowledge is the only thing that keeps your money safe.

9. Besides watches, what other hobby or interest influences your style?

My style is a reflection of many worlds. Beyond watches, I’ve always been a collector and a maker—from cufflinks, bicycles and miniature cars to woodworking and tools. I was even a 'gym rat' for many years.

However, life threw me a curveball with a Fibromyalgia diagnosis. Living with chronic pain 24/7 means I’ve had to adapt; I can’t always do things the way I used to. But I refuse to give up. Whether I’m working on a watch movement or a piece of wood, it might take me twenty times longer than it used to, but the finish line is just as sweet. My collections aren't just hobbies; they are proof that I’m still pushing forward. No pain, no gain, right?

10. Whats your advice for someone who’s searching for their first watch.

Honestly? My first piece of advice is to stop listening to everyone else. We live in an age of 'influencers' who are often just trying to sell you a product. I believe the best way to learn is by making your own mistakes—that’s how you truly grow.

If I were sitting down with my own son to help him buy his first watch, I’d give him these ten rules:

1. Set a hard budget: Budget is King and never, ever go over it.
2. Know your 'Why' or identify your taste: Do you love history, design, or the mechanics? Know yourself first, find what speaks to you.
3. Trust your gut: If it feels right, it usually is. Your intuition is your best tool!
4. Ignore the trends: Don't chase the hype; it’s a trap and it fades. Remember, trends are for followers, style is for collectors!
5. Research, then verify: Never trust a single source blindly.
6. Don’t buy new go pre-owned: Let someone else take the initial depreciation hit, you will also get more soul.
7. Buy what you love: As long as you can afford it, your opinion is the only one that matters.
8. Forget ROI, it’s not an investment: A watch is a piece of your story, not a stock.
9. Gratitude: Appreciate what you have, be proud of what you can afford.
10. Stay sharp, stay vigilante: Be careful out there—scams are real.

Watches that I’ll never sell that hold sentimental value:

The first watch my son gave me:

No brand, a watch that I paid for when my son was in Primary School (logo of the school) to be given as a Fathers Day Gift

The first watch that my wife gave me:

Chilli Beans Ref AA 0017

Watches that my mother gave me:

Fossil Decker CH2600 / Bulova

The first watch that I bought with my own money: 

The watch that I bought to honor my father memory:

I selected a few watches that I like the most, of course, together with the ones that I already mentioned. You can select whichever you prefer.
Constantin Weisz Ref 18A394CW / Tissot T116407 / Seiko SNZJ15