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Meet Alfonso Casarubea (@alfonso.casarubea), a jeweler from Palermo, Italy, who’s also a collector and dealer of vintage watches.
Give us a short introduction about yourself.
I’m a jeweler: I design, craft and sell jewelry; and a few years ago I also embarked on a side project, 1991_Vintage, to share my journey in the world of vintage collectible watches.
How do you define your style?
I like to think I have a gentleman style: it’s classic, but I like to add some unexpected touches to my outfits.
What does it mean for you to be a Modern Gentleman?
The modern gentleman is one who can consistently maintain his unique style, both at his workplace and in his free time; I’m not just talking about clothing, but about the elegance in manners and costume that defines a gentleman and sets him apart from others.
When it comes to style, where do you mostly get your inspiration from?
My primary source of inspiration is the Italian “Dolce Vita” era. I’m extremely captivated by those years: the way people dressed, the cars they drove, and the music they enjoyed. Peak beauty was achieved during those years, and we Italians set the standards for style and elegance worldwide. It’s something I’m very proud of!
What’s your personal style signifier?
Certainly a watch: I feel naked if I’m not wearing one, and sometimes I can even base my entire outfit solely on the watch I want to wear that day.
What are your favorite wardrobe essentials?
A man’s wardrobe may not seem like much to those who don’t notice the details, but it’s actually way more complex than one would imagines. These are my favorite items, and I believe they shouldn’t be missing from a good wardrobe:
• A white shirt
• A blue suit
• A blue polo shirt
• Black leather loafers
• A denim shirt
What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
My two greatest passions are jewelry and watches. Jewelry is a part of my daily life and a family tradition dating back to 1912 when we opened our first shop. It’s not just a job; every morning, I visit our workshop to witness the creation of every piece we craft. Watches share a lot with jewelry, as they are details I care and look for in my daily life. I particularly enjoy hunting down the “ugly ducklings,” as Alessandro Squarzi calls them – those overlooked watches with no high sounding names, but intriguing stories to tell.
What does your ideal Sunday look like?
Definitely a hunt for vintage treasures amongst the many flea markets around the city centre of Palermo.
Describe an interesting trip you have taken and tell us what’s the next destination on your bucket list.
Unfortunately, COVID forced me to postpone a trip I had been eagerly anticipating. However, next spring, I’ll finally embark on a ten-day journey to Japan. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to explore the country and immerse myself in its distinct culture; I’ll spend my stay in Kyoto – a city I’ve already come to love from a distance through the pictures I’ve seen and the stories I’ve heard.
Tell us what can never be missing in your liquor cabinet.
Tanqueray Ten, Carpano Antica Formula and Campari (can you tell I’m a big Negroni fan?)
What are your favorite books?
I have a penchant for thrillers and mystery tales. Recently, I read “Yellow Diamonds” by Paolo Roversi, which definitely made the cut into my top three; another favorite is the House of Cards trilogy.
What are your favorite movies?
It’s a though choice: ask me the same question again and I’ll probably have an entirely different list. Right now, I’d say “Ali”, “The Godfather” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.
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