In love with a Welder

MANILA, Philippines - It’s fun when you are my age, almost 50, but not quite. I like it that I feel free to be me, and don’t have to really mind too much what other people might say.

When I was younger, it was so much easier to blend in. Easier, because being different read weird — for most other people. And, back then, weird wasn’t a good thing to be.

Today, the choices I make when it comes to what I wear and how I wear what I wear give me a style that is all my own. Weird or not.

I am not one of those girls who read magazines to see what is in or not; I sort of just make my style choices based on what I feel most comfy in.

And one of my best statement pieces that define who I am has always been my watch collection.

I remember getting all those weird looks when I opted to wear a watch that belonged to my late father because he left it for me after he passed away over a decade ago.

“What are you doing wearing a man’s watch?” was a common question. But that never bothered me, because I am a daddy’s girl and wearing his watch after he passed away kept him close to me.

My father loved watches. When I was younger, he would show off the watches he also inherited from his own father, as well as the watches he got for himself.

Going big time: John Ortiga, managing director of La Estrella del Norte Inc., wears his Welder watch.

I love watches, too — a case of “My dad lives on in me,” I guess.

I love what people in my youth used to call men’s watches. The bigger; the better. Today, I collect watches — the bigger, the better.

A shopping trip for me — whether here, in the province, or more so abroad — is never complete without a stop at a watch store.

And Then There Is Welder

“What a great watch,” I said to Sari Ortiga, owner of The Crucible Gallery where the “Dead Beliefs” exhibit of the best artist I know, Igan D’ Bayan, was held recently.

“You like it?” the shy Sari smiled. “It’s a Welder.”

Sari proceeded to remove his watch, showing its features. It didn’t take much to get an already awestruck me hooked, as I had my eye on a watch just like it.

When I got home, I Googled Welder, and I liked what I saw. Sari told me that the watch was available at Parklane Jewellers Inc. in Glorietta 3.

“If women want to buy an oversize watch, that is their choice,” says John Ortiga, managing director of La Estrella del Norte Inc., the exclusive distributor of Welder Watches. “That is why we brought in the Welder Watch in June last year, because we wanted to give people who look for unique watches a wider choice.”

A wider choice, and bigger and bolder choices, too, perhaps.

The primary inspiration for the Welder brand came from the same meaning of the word “weld,” which is synonymous with “to complete,” “to unite” and “to melt” not only metals but also innovative ideas all brought together by its Italian brainchild Italo Fontana. 

With a brand like Welder, one can easily assume this watch is made for men. As soon as you hear the name, you know it’s going to have an industrial, hardcore design reflective of its namesake’s intense, backbreaking reputation.

The Welder watch comes in a toolbox, something that I fell for at first sight.

Be square: The Welder K25 and K26 are popular among women who like their watches by Welder.

My dad loved working with the tools in his well-cared-for toolbox, which was always loaded with all sorts of interesting things. The Welder watch brought back good memories of my childhood. The Welder is something my father would’ve loved, too.

It’s tough to classify watches — just as tough as it is to classify people.

I particularly like the Welder K24 series, as it has that industrial look; and it is also a tough-looking watch with a sense of great style.

“The watch is not (just) a man’s watch, even if the box it comes in is a toolkit or a welder’s box — if you like,” he adds. “Today, there is no such thing as a man’s watch anymore. Watches are statement pieces and people will wear what they want to wear.”

John adds that he does know of a few of his friends who like it when their wives or their girlfriends opt to wear a guy’s watch.

“People today are practical buyers,” quips John. “They save up to buy watches that will last, and that will make them stand out.”

A close look at the Welder watch assures one that it is no softie. It is built tough and backed by Italian craftsmanship and technology.

However, the heavy-duty casing isn’t the only aspect to love in the Welder. Its utilitarian design also demands respect for its traditional, yet cutting-edge look.

Let’s Talk

“We were actually one of the first stores to bring in the oversize watches,” adds John. “In a way, we started the interest in these kinds of watches.”

“Are there a lot of girls who buy Welder watches?” I ask.

“What my girl friends who have bought the watch said is that they love the black casing and the play of colors on the dial and hands,” he says. “There is (an accent of) red, orange and green so that is a good attraction for the women who go for the Welder watch.”

“And for the guys?” I query further.

“The guys like weekend watches,” quips John. “When they are at work, they wear the corporate-looking watches. But on weekends, they like to express the cool dude persons that they are. Welder is the perfect choice.”

Of course, the Welder is a good conversation piece. John shares with me how he is often asked about the watch he is wearing when he goes out with friends. “They get interested and get one, too,” he laughs.

John is well aware of the fact that the Welder market is a niche market. Yet, he points out that he wants people to be able to afford it also.

“The Welder is something that our niche market saves up for,” adds John. “And they get a good quality watch with a unique and cool design.”

And, yes, I love everything about my Welder.

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Welder Watches are exclusively available at Parklane Jewellers Inc. at the ground floor, Glorietta 3, telephone number 818-6123 and the second floor, Pedro Gil Wing, Robinsons Place, Malate, 536-3963.