If you could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you be?
On one of the islands in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean or South Asia.
You’re sitting down to the perfect dinner. What are you eating, where are you dining and who is with you?
At a restaurant in a small fishing village and resort in Jimbaran, Bali, on the beach. I’m with my children and my wife, eating grilled fish and lobster.
Where’s the best service that you have ever experienced?
In Tokyo, Japan. The Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel is an elegant oasis of space and calm.
Which grooming product or treatment do you swear by?
I only use a daily moisturiser. I never use cosmetics with alcohol.
Where are your favourite shops or shopping districts?
In Paris Rive Gauche. It is the primary location for luxury goods and fashion. The Left Bank district in the heart of Paris has all the big names and many smaller ones. One can find there the best of everything, from shoes to antique shops, with a great variety of cafes and restaurants.
What was your first luxury purchase?
It was a Reverso Grande Taille watch. With its pure geometric forms, this timepiece has been a watchmaking icon since 1931. I started working for Jaeger-LeCoultre in 1988, and, at that time, we relaunched our Reverso line. I had to spend a lot of time studying the archives and understanding the essence of the watch to make it recognisable and yet resolutely contemporary.
What’s your next must-have purchase?
A very, very old car. A vintage Aston Martin from the 1960s, which I consider one of the best-designed cars in history.
What’s the best city in the world, in your opinion?
Sydney, close to the beach. The food is great, it is all about fresh seafood and fresh produce. The city is surrounded by nature, it feels very safe and the people look happy there; they are also very helpful. It’s convenient to get around and one finds the best beaches.
You're going on holiday and can only pack 10 things. What are they?
A good book; my saxophone; my surf board and surf shorts; a pair of shoes by Tod’s; my Ray-Ban sunglasses; a pashmina made from cashmere; a Cohíba Siglo I cigar box; a Swiss pocketknife, preferably a RangerGrip Boatsman; and my Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Tribute to Deep Sea watch.
What’s your next holiday destination?
Bali. For me, this is a place associated with holidays and happiness.
Are you a collector? If so, what do you collect?
I am not a collector of anything in particular, but I like to bring back many things from my holidays. My house is full of authentic objects from around the world.
What, in your opinion, is the greatest luxury?
Free time.
