Roberto Chiappelloni, a rare watch collector and owner of Manfredi Jewels, has been obsessed with watches since he was a little boy growing up on a farm in Piacenza, Italy. He views timepieces as fine mechanical works of art and could spend hours talking about the rich historical background of horology and the most innovative and stylish brands on the market today.
With the launch of his new podcast, The Rare Watch Man, Chiappelloni will do just that. Manfredi collaborated with award-winning syndicated talk radio personality and entrepreneur Debbie Nigro to create this one-of-a-kind series, which is an unprecedented live radio/podcast hybrid for Nigro’s World Class Interviews Division. Through eight episodes, Chiappelloni will share how he first discovered fine watches, how he went on to open his first store in Greenwich in 1988, a history of the most recognizable brands, his recommendations for other collectors, personal anecdotes, as well as his viewpoint on how the Apple Watch will actually strengthen the fine timepiece industry.
“I loved teaming up with Debbie to create these podcasts,” says Chiappelloni. “One of my greatest loves in this world is watches. The Rare Watch Man series gave me a unique opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with others. If you do something you have a passion for, then life is easy.”
The Rare Watch Man podcast is now available through On Demand Podcasting, on iTunes and at manfredijewels.com/podcasts.
Chiappelloni’s Top Picks for Fine Watches Right This Minute
1. Zenith Chronomaster El Primero
38mm, automatic column-wheel chronograph, original 1969 case. Retail price: $6,700
2. Chronomètre Souveraine Havana
40 mm, platinum case, Havana brown guilloche dial. A new dial color for the award-winning icon from F.P. Journe.
Retail price: $35,400
3. Historiques Triple Calendrier 1948
Reference: 3100V/000R-B359 by Vacheron Constantin. Limited Edition of 200 watches. A modern version of a classic triple calendar moonphase from 1946 in a 40 mm rose gold case.
Retail price: $35,000
