Erin Collins

Hi, my name is Erin and I’m a fourth-generation watch lover. My great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all watchmakers, whereas I just love to wear them.

Fun Fact: My great-grandfather was an original ANZAC who landed that morning of the 25th April at Gallipoli. He later got shot with a bullet entering through his left wrist, up his forearm and out his elbow – bad enough that he got out of the war but good enough it wasn’t life threatening. That was until they wanted to amputate! He had to quickly explain that he was a watchmaker and needed his arm to perform his profession when he returned home and sure enough, he kept his left arm. He then returned to Australia and began the family watchmaking and jewellery business that is still running to this day, 104 years on.

So enough on my family history, a little bit about me. Watches are part of my DNA. I have had the pleasure of working for a number of industry leaders including OMEGA, Tissot and TAG Heuer for a total of 12 years in various marketing roles. I’ve wined and dined with George Clooney, Cindy Crawford and Nicole Kidman and experienced the Olympics and the MotoGP. The previous 6 years before joining Time+Tide, I worked at the House of Mouse, Disney. There I worked on Star Wars and dealt with the Jedi Council, Marvel and all things Avengers and finally the boss himself, Mickey Mouse. Which is a nice segway to my first watch.

Being a beloved Disney kid, my first watch was none other than a pink Minnie Mouse watch with her arms as the hands. I was 7 and with a watchmaker for a father, I wasn’t allowed to get this watch until I could tell the time correctly – not digital, but old school analogue . So each night I had to practice with a ‘Tell the Time’ book until I had got it. Don’t ask what happened to it though…that’s still a sore point.

Favourite watch: would have to be the OMEGA Ladymatic. I had the steel black Mother-of-Pearl on Satin Leather Strap with diamond dots. Having worked in the industry for so long, I do have this thing about now only wearing mechnicals. And this is what I loved about the Ladymatic was it was a fully dedicated women’s range with a Co-Axial mechanical movement. Again don’t ask what happened to this one too. Another sore point.

Grail watch: it would be a full circle moment. A Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Retrograde, to be honest I would be happy with either Goofy or Donald too. It’s a timepiece from the face that is fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously but within the case is a completely different scenario.

One final note though and I realise the request was to choose one grail watch but there is one other… and that reflects both my jewellery and watchmaking heritage. Whilst I would wear the Gerald Genta by day, by night I would wear a Cartier Baignorie with full pave’ set diamond case and bangle bracelet. And I know, I’ve contradicted myself with this being a quartz but it’s just soooooo pretty!