On March 29, Giorgia Mondani made us the joy and the honor of coming to our Saint Germain des Prés boutique, 26 rue du Bac, to present the entire collection of Rolex books in Mondani and offer a free day of expertise by antiquorum specialists, for future sales. On this occasion, she agreed to lend herself to the game of our series "Au wrist de de" by choosing one of the watches of our collection and answering all our questions.
There are few women in the watchmaking world, what decided you to follow this path? Antiquorum has something to do with it?
As everyone knows, I have always been surrounded by watches since childhood. After graduating, I worked for Antiquorum and that's how I officially started working in the watchmaking market. After two years in Geneva, I joined the family business "Mondani Books", presenting our books worldwide. Then, two years ago, we created a new business, Mondani Web, the first communication agency in the watchmaking world.
My career in this environment began with Antiquorum, so yes, Antiquorum was my first contact in this male world, but at that time I was much less known. Now I can really say that I belong to this sector and I am lucky to appreciate all my colleagues.
Why did you choose this Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 in the Romain Rea collection?
Romain has incredible watches in his collection but this vintage daytona in yellow gold Ref. 6265, with its emblematic gold telescope has something magical…. Vintage watches have this quality of being carrying a story, which is fascinating; What's more, Daytona is an icon of the watchmaking world.
What makes you love it? Why should we buy it?
I like watches with a story, and Rolex has a big one. Mainly the daytona of which reliability and performance are the watchwords and which takes its name from the race by Daytona Beach in Florida. In addition, I like watches that can represent a safe and stable investment, and Daytona is one of the most brilliant examples of this security - especially with the current economic situation.
What do you prefer vintage or modern watch? FOR WHAT ?
Vintage watches have something magical but modern watches are easier to wear…. So I don't know, I can't choose: I love them all!
You yourself collect watches, like your father?
Daniele, my husband, collects them much more than me. Watches are a real passion that he shares with my father. This is a good thing because he can learn a lot from my father and he collects very beautiful pieces that have already gained value.
Where does the love story between Italians and Rolex come from, do you think?
The Italians are obsessed with Rolex and this for two reasons mainly: the first, Italian personalities remain marked by Agnelli carrying a rolex, and the second because culturally they are lovers of fashion and brands. We need to have a Rolex and/or a Louis Vuitton bag. Fashion is a very important part of our lives, as in France elsewhere.
The watchmaker is powerful in Italy, because my father founded his publishing house in the 1990s and almost all Rolex collectors and merchants bought our books which helped to make people understand the interest of investing in watches.
When you follow your Instagram, it appears very clearly that you have a weak point for Rolex (and Patek Philippe recently), why?
Our publications focus on these two brands which are the two brands at the head of the market today! I also really like Omega, but my family and I will prefer to focus on Rolex and Patek. I grew up with parents who have always collected these watches, always I guess it is also by parentage.
What do you think of the place of social networks on the watchmaking market? How does the "worldly family" stand out in the midst of all influencers?
Social networks, and Instagram in particular, are at the center of the means of communication today: Instagram is like a business card, this is the new way that people can recognize and seek you. You presence on social media must be strong if you want to be successful in your business. From my point of view, not to use social media, it's like having a store and keeping it closed.
As for our role, what made our success is the immense investment of time, money and energy. 3 years ago we founded Mondani Web which is today the leading communication agency in the world of the wristwatch: we support and promote watch resellers, auction houses (such as antiquorum), events and major watchmaking brands via all our channels. We have also created a network of trusted resellers who pursues the same goal as for books: help collectors buy good pieces, with good sellers. Today, the Internet and the various markets are a jungle and it is common to buy a watch that is not good. Thanks to this network, we guarantee that this will not happen when you buy from a Mondani Web trust dealer.
For me, Instagram is like television: thanks to Instagram I gained great popularity and I will always be grateful. Instagram changed my life and I have to thank Daniele because he encourages me every day.
What were your discoveries at B?
I was fortunate to be invited by Rolex to see the new collection and I was very impressed by the new Day-Dates that I find very beautiful. The GMT "Meteorite Dial" is also surprising. Regarding GMT Batman steel, I hope that the history of Pepsi will not be repeated with years of waiting.
On the wrist of Giorgia Mondani
On March 29, Giorgia Mondani made us the joy and the honor of coming to our Saint Germain des Prés boutique, 26 rue du Bac, to present the entire collection of Rolex books in Mondani and offer a free day of expertise by antiquorum specialists, for future sales. On this occasion, she agreed to lend herself to the game of our series "Au wrist de de" by choosing one of the watches of our collection and answering all our questions.
There are few women in the watchmaking world, what decided you to follow this path? Antiquorum has something to do with it?
As everyone knows, I have always been surrounded by watches since childhood. After graduating, I worked for Antiquorum and that's how I officially started working in the watchmaking market. After two years in Geneva, I joined the family business "Mondani Books", presenting our books worldwide. Then, two years ago, we created a new business, Mondani Web, the first communication agency in the watchmaking world.
My career in this environment began with Antiquorum, so yes, Antiquorum was my first contact in this male world, but at that time I was much less known. Now I can really say that I belong to this sector and I am lucky to appreciate all my colleagues.
Why did you choose this Rolex Daytona Ref. 6265 in the Romain Rea collection?
Romain has incredible watches in his collection but this vintage daytona in yellow gold Ref. 6265, with its emblematic gold telescope has something magical…. Vintage watches have this quality of being carrying a story, which is fascinating; What's more, Daytona is an icon of the watchmaking world.
What makes you love it? Why should we buy it?
I like watches with a story, and Rolex has a big one. Mainly the daytona of which reliability and performance are the watchwords and which takes its name from the race by Daytona Beach in Florida. In addition, I like watches that can represent a safe and stable investment, and Daytona is one of the most brilliant examples of this security - especially with the current economic situation.
What do you prefer vintage or modern watch? FOR WHAT ?
Vintage watches have something magical but modern watches are easier to wear…. So I don't know, I can't choose: I love them all!
You yourself collect watches, like your father?
Daniele, my husband, collects them much more than me. Watches are a real passion that he shares with my father. This is a good thing because he can learn a lot from my father and he collects very beautiful pieces that have already gained value.
Where does the love story between Italians and Rolex come from, do you think?
The Italians are obsessed with Rolex and this for two reasons mainly: the first, Italian personalities remain marked by Agnelli carrying a rolex, and the second because culturally they are lovers of fashion and brands. We need to have a Rolex and/or a Louis Vuitton bag. Fashion is a very important part of our lives, as in France elsewhere.
The watchmaker is powerful in Italy, because my father founded his publishing house in the 1990s and almost all Rolex collectors and merchants bought our books which helped to make people understand the interest of investing in watches.
When you follow your Instagram, it appears very clearly that you have a weak point for Rolex (and Patek Philippe recently), why?
Our publications focus on these two brands which are the two brands at the head of the market today! I also really like Omega, but my family and I will prefer to focus on Rolex and Patek. I grew up with parents who have always collected these watches, always I guess it is also by parentage.
What do you think of the place of social networks on the watchmaking market? How does the "worldly family" stand out in the midst of all influencers?
Social networks, and Instagram in particular, are at the center of the means of communication today: Instagram is like a business card, this is the new way that people can recognize and seek you. You presence on social media must be strong if you want to be successful in your business. From my point of view, not to use social media, it's like having a store and keeping it closed.
As for our role, what made our success is the immense investment of time, money and energy. 3 years ago we founded Mondani Web which is today the leading communication agency in the world of the wristwatch: we support and promote watch resellers, auction houses (such as antiquorum), events and major watchmaking brands via all our channels. We have also created a network of trusted resellers who pursues the same goal as for books: help collectors buy good pieces, with good sellers. Today, the Internet and the various markets are a jungle and it is common to buy a watch that is not good. Thanks to this network, we guarantee that this will not happen when you buy from a Mondani Web trust dealer.
For me, Instagram is like television: thanks to Instagram I gained great popularity and I will always be grateful. Instagram changed my life and I have to thank Daniele because he encourages me every day.
What were your discoveries at B?
I was fortunate to be invited by Rolex to see the new collection and I was very impressed by the new Day-Dates that I find very beautiful. The GMT "Meteorite Dial" is also surprising. Regarding GMT Batman steel, I hope that the history of Pepsi will not be repeated with years of waiting.