As watch enthusiasts, we harbor a particular affection for small mechanical objects. Intricate and artistically beautiful, it's easy to marvel at watches purely on the physical level. But for many of us, it's the people behind the watches — and the people behind the industry — that tell the greatest stories. Case in point: Gai Gohari.
If you’ve had a chance to catch Gai’s weekly presentation videos, then you’ll know there are only a few personalities in the industry that possess the eclectic tastes, exuberant demeanor, genuine passion, and enthusiasm about design and artistry that Gai exhibits. He is truly a piece unique of sorts.
A trip down memory lane.
We had the pleasure of spending time with Gai over the course of a couple of days. From casually sitting in his living room talking about his family upbringing and cruising to his Long Island office in a Saab 900 Turbo, to navigating the chaotic environment that is 47th street and shaking every hand along the way, his charisma and magnetism was only amplified 10-fold.
Gai was born in the center of fashion and style in Milan, later moving to New York City where he has been for the last two decades. Gohari worked in the jewelry business initially, and even in the world of high-end tailoring, before finally settling on his true passion in vintage watches. The common thread throughout all Gai's interests is an unmistakable direction in the world of design.
Buffet.
Gai has always been a lover of the out of the ordinary. When he opens his watch box, the onlooker is met by a full cuisine of different case shapes, sizes, colors and textures. Natural materials are prevalent throughout — especially in the form of stone dials of varied colors and aesthetics. Most are ellipse, square, tonneau, cushion case, and integrated-bracelet configurations that further diversify the artistic pallet of one of the most eccentric players in the watch industry.
Jazz is spontaneity. Spontaneity is Gai Gohari.
Getting to know Gai on a deeper level, we notice that his watch preferences aren’t a coincidence. Gai has a deep appreciation for nature which mirrors his proclivity for stone dials. Gai happens to be a music savant as well, setting the day's tone by carefully choosing a record to provide the workday's soundtrack. His usual choice: jazz. The genre of jazz is purely built on spontaneity, which is infused into Gai’s conversation, style and watch collection.
Birds of a feather.
A symbol of humble beginnings.
A common thread between Collectors Among Us alumni is that watches aren’t the only things they collect. In addition to watches, vinyl, and classic menswear pieces, we were presented with an array of books, rings, chains, belts...and that’s not all. Gai reached into a drawer where he took out a collection of feathers and rocks that he has collected on his nature walks throughout the years. The crown jewel of his entire collection, a square glass case filled with pennies — a symbol of Gai's humble beginnings when he moved to the United States.
Sartorially inclined.
What quickly became evident was that more than just a love of watches, Gohari possessed a commitment to spirituality, which has been his north star that has guided him to a life of making positive connections and inspiring others to do the same.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome."
We are so excited to feature Gai Gohari in our most recent edition of Collectors Among Us, where we dive into his eye for watches and design, passion for collecting, and drive for the hustle of the industry. There is no shortage colorful metaphors, exuberant expressions, and unique perspectives that are Gai Gohari, aka "The Tastemaker."
