Lifestyle -- 1 year ago
Q&A with Kristian Haagen
We asked the watch specialist and content creator a few questions on life, style, and the people and places that matter most to him
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Your favourite quote is…
Sleep on it.
A gentleman should always…
Behave.
The living gentleman you most admire…
I will probably get some sh*t for this (and I have never met him), but I think former-President Barack Obama appears to be a genuine gentleman.
The attribute you most admire in other gentlemen…
Patience.
Your favourite restaurant and the dish worth ordering…
Los Caracoles in Barcelona. Quaint small traditional restaurant near my old place on Carrer dels Escudellers. The service and food are on par. And in terms of my favourite dish there I’d say anything with the local jamon.
Hôtel Palafitte; the Bermudian ketch "Eilean"
Your favourite bar and the drink you order…
Onboard the William Fife yacht “Eilean”, having a glass of bubbly prosecco. It is not a bar and the drink comes straight from a bottle. But after a day of sailing that wonderfully restored ketch, a drink with the skipper and his Italian crew is unbeatable.
Your perfect holiday destination…
I am in love with California. The laidback surfer lifestyle in Encinitas is like a drug and I would really like to introduce this way of living to all my kids one day (I took my oldest daughter there once). Maybe even a vacation that could become a more permanent stay.
The best hotel in the world…
Hôtel Palafitte in Neuchatel, Switzerland. It was originally a National Expo design project built into the lake in 2002 (actually the only hotel in Europe built on stilts), but ended up being a permanent hotel. I have stayed there maybe 15 times and I always enjoy my stay there.
Steve McQueen; NN07 chinos
The city destination you never tire of…
It is a tough battle between Tokyo and New York. Both cities have so much to offer and I always return with my head spinning from inspiration.
Your style hero…
I’d say Steve McQueen. Sharp yet very relaxed attire. Also my dear friend Brian Holm (former pro-cyclist). He spent 17 years in bright spandex, but now he enjoys a sharp dress style.
The ultimate style tip…
Roll up your sleeves when wearing a shirt. It makes you appear relaxed.
Your tailor of choice…
Tom Ford or Paul Smith.
Your shoemaker of choice…
Redwing, Grenson and Santoni.
Your dream car…
I dream of an early Karman Ghia.
An A. Lange & Söhne watch; Encinitas
Your go-to watch brand…
A. Lange & Söhne and vintage sports Rolex.
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life it would be…
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life it would be…
“Little Sister” by Queens of the Stone Age and “Provider” by N*E*R*D come top of mind here.
Your everyday uniform…
Lee denim shirts and chinos from NN07.
An essential wardrobe item you can’t live without…
Six out of seven days a week you will see me in a light blue button-down Oxford shirt. Sleeves rolled up.
Your bag of choice…
Danish Mismo as daily bag and German Rimowa for travels.
