The Power, Secret Meaning & History: Why Gentlemen, Entrepreneurs, and Gangsters Wear Luxury Watches

In this video we take a look at the history, evolution, and secret meanings of luxury watches-a statement accessory often worn by gentlemen, entrepreneurs, and gangsters. From Pablo Escobar's Rolex Day-Date (aka the President,) Bugsy Siegel's Bulova Clinton, and Lucky Luciano's Patek Calatrava, to the luxury timepieces worn by contemporary entrepreneurs, artists, and superstars, we'll explore the meaning behind their watch selections. I also discuss the brands most often associated with power, affluence, and success, the history behind some of their most popular watches, their cultural impact from cinema to music and fashion, and some of their more infamous associations. I conclude this video with an analysis of perhaps one of the best depictions of gangsterism on the silver screen-Al Pacino's portrayal of Tony Montana in the iconic 1983 movie Scarface. I discuss the surprising choice of an Omega watch for his character, and why in some scenes it was also rumored to be a Concord Delirium. Join me for another quintessential Urban Gentry episode where horology meets history, cinema, music, and pop culture.
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[@_Max_Headroom_]

i love HUGO !!!

[@jayl0151]

🦖 HUGO THE BOSS

[@fungus70]

Me too !

[@HEATSEEKER00]

Except for the fact he’s named after Lord Mountbatten a predatory nonce who raped young boys at a foster home In Northern Ireland … might be time to drop the Hugo Mountbatten name …

[@bryanbrett8943]

Yes Hugo is the greatest ! Makes me laugh everytime !

[@alexm2113]

I really enjoyed this video. Yet another example of why TGV's content goes above and beyond any other KZbinr's. The history of wristwatches is so fascinating, and going from the early days of converted pocket watches to today's social media fueled status symbols is just so crazy to think about.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Alex, an excellent point. Crazy what it has become! But at least there's people like us who enjoy it for more than just status. Have a great week ahead my friend. 😎🥂 Best regards, TGV

[@johnswatchjoint]

Been a watch enthusiast for years and love how you delve that little bit deeper providing new insight to this wonderful hobby. Thoroughly engaging :)

[@WillowExpensive6636]

I love how TGV manages to mix philosophy and sociology with the technical aspect of the watch hobby. I don't see this anywhere else.

[@onemat2000]

Hello T. G. V. Your presentation is an amazing; as good or better than any production I've seen on PBS, or any television network. The amount of clock and watch history discussed in this short video is amazing. I am inspired to acquire some more horology books! Thank You for this great work you share with us.

[@theurbangentry]

That just made my day, thank you Matt. Enjoy the book hunting! Best regards, TGV

[@Javi_C]

As always, thank you for making my weekend better and sharing the history!

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

Always love your "QUALITY" videos with substance and genuinely worth watching and sharing...

[@theurbangentry]

🙌🙌🙌 Thank you so much, I deeply appreciate that. Best regards, TGV

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

@@theurbangentry actually, our NZ watch group, RedBarNZ admires your work and passion, thanks TGV you have a good Kiwi following here and having the same passion about TRUE HOROLOGY, personally, I thank you for your awesome videos and dedication to educate people about what actual Horology means, historically and deep factual relevance... #WIS4Life 🍾🥂

[@joshuam4614]

The book "Longitude" by Dava Sobel, which you briefly show in this video, is why I'm into watches. I was in the history section of a used book store years ago when I noticed this tiny little hard covered book. It was so small that I was compelled to grab it just to see what it was. The blurb on the dust cover sounded interesting so I bought it. It turned out to be a brilliant book. Even my sister, who has never been on time for anything, thought it was great. I grew up around boats and I learned how to navigate without electronics, but I had never given the problem of longitude any thought because accurate timepieces are something that we all take for granted today. Everyone who likes watches really should read that book. Your appreciation for timepieces will grow exponentially.

[@amenhotep7704]

Very great video TGV, this is one of my favorites... Highly appreciating your content.

[@4evalost948]

As always your knowledge of watch history is impeccable hope everyone had a great weekend

[@Edjidudley1970]

Hugo, you gangster!

[@kraftyw1999]

My Sunday morning just got better!

[@pawepanfilewicz988]

Thank you TGV for another great video. Scarface was always one of my most beloved movies. I saw if first when I was a teenager and I can remember Tony Montana's watch was really amazing one - then and still is now.

[@awdturbopowah773]

Great video TGV! Enjoyed every minute of it. Especially 15:44 when I learned that postage stamps in Tajikistan had Al Capone on them! What the heck 😂

[@brandonemmons4937]

I love the high quality content you produce. I appreciate the history you provide in your videos, this one specifically. Bravo sir

[@Lamattack]

Another amazing deep dive! Your analysis of Scarface is spot on. I love how you touch on the fact that for all his flash, it's ultimately a facade to hide how empty and isolated he slowly becomes. I'll catch heat for saying this but I think that imagery is really relevant to watch enthusiasts who get lost in the weeds when it comes to chasing the iconic brands, including myself. I'd love to see more of these deep dives!

[@xavshelby967]

What a great video TGV. Very well documented and super interesting links between cinema and real life! The quality of your video editing never ceases to amaze me. Definitely one of the best channels about watches, horology and beyond! Thanks TGV.

[@johnravioli6660]

Loved the video ! Hope you are well TGV !

[@chrisbradshaw7708]

Your content is timeless. Your intros are priceless. Excellent work here. 👏

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏 Best regards, TGV

[@edmiller873]

Another well done episode. More in depth than usual but I really liked that for this subject.

[@gary2632]

Awesome content sir, thank you very much. Onward and upward 🙏

[@_Peter_.]

Great Video! There are so many interesting vintage Omega watches...

[@Ishabu7]

Thank you TGV for such an interesting video!! I found so many facts about different films, actors, and the watches that they wear that I never realized before!! Thank you so much for always expanding my horizons!! Have a wonderful day!! Stay healthy and well as always!! P.S- great intro! (Nick L) ❤❤❤🦖🦖🦖👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you so much Nicolas, that means the world to me and hearing that makes it all worth it. Onwards and upwards!! 🙏😎 Best regards, TGV

[@chilearmas5094]

I never get tired of this channel

[@cliffmakhoul6910]

Thank you for this beautifully presented video, that puts watches at the forefront without being a video about watches for the sake of being about watches. Well done.

[@MrRoyck10]

Simply a brilliant historical content, I really appreciate your brilliance Guv’nor!

[@robertm.roland5809]

I love your episodes that go over the history of watches; fantastic video! Can you please create more videos on this theme?

[@bartwilliams1992]

Outstanding content as always!! Well done and keep it independent. Its your great point of difference now.

[@mM30040]

your intro is best on youtube!!! end it was classic video thnxs ug

[@genehammond7239]

Great episode , intro was priceless !!!👍

[@MisterKnightly]

Here I am feeling inspired by a KZbin video again. How marvelous.

[@cosmodoc]

Great TGV! Watch lovers will refer back to this video in years to come, I am sure of it!

[@straightmanforever69]

Great viddy T!

[@timothythompson4036]

Wow great video. Not only about watches but a great deal of social commentary.

[@MrMcGuy]

Fantastic video. Well done. Cheers.

[@c.cabanilla8963]

Excellent video! Stay humble and serve others that is happiness

[@guillermofloreskanchi2988]

Hugo incredible 100 points for the intro and content. Congratulations

[@lewisstredwick7616]

Very good indeed , one of your best 👌

[@thepassionofthegoose5472]

Loving the topic. Cheers.

[@michaeltalley9411]

Another amazing video! The intro was Killer!

[@icthys2024]

That was a great video, maybe your best. Alot of wisdom there.

[@pippo702]

Bellissimo video! 😊 thanks, very interesting content!

[@JuniorExecutive1987]

The first several minutes alone were captivating in the visuals, music, and history!

[@RandallSlick]

Very enjoyable vid. A different angle on that end of the industry and certainly credible.

[@bentonwaldron1190]

Educational always keep it coming bravo.

[@8tenthsup]

Awesome video TGV!

[@PopFizzification]

Happy to see you yesterday at the watch fair :)

[@StefanoMaggio]

great video sir! but Gue Pequeno killed me ahahaha

[@johnbonanni1731]

TGV your introduction is ALWAYS GREAT!

[@kjeldpedersen666]

Hi TGV Wise and insightful as always and with great historical research as a background. Love these thematic videos of yours... I like the more discreet approach most when it comes to watch choices. Doesn’t necessarily mean that the piece isn’t quite expensive but I just don’t like to be too flashy😊 Keep up the good work👍

[@heikowallauer]

Good afternoon TGV, great that we have one of those classic Urban Gentry topics back in this vid. That is OG The Urban Gentry! Hugo is killing the intro 😂😂You're wife's Datejust is a stunner, and proof how versatile the 36mm Rolex case still is. Have a great sunday! Best regards!

[@theurbangentry]

Afternoon Heiko! Thank you so much, so glad to hear you approve. I totally agree, a 36mm is hard to beat in terms of versatility. Works with a track suit or a suit, pool or a business meeting. Have a great rest of your Sunday. 😎🥂 Best regards, TGV

[@stoned466]

Good video, love the history lesson here.

[@bogrot69]

I live in Vancouver CA and was fortunate to be on the set of the film Unforgettable while one of Ray Liotta's scenes was being filmed. I've always been a fan so it was a real treat for me. Great video as always T. Cheers!

[@thereismoretolifethanrolex]

Cracking episode touching on so much pop culture alongside the all important horology. Keep 'em coming.

[@OGtalks]

Your content continues to inspire and blow me away ! I love the Pacino scarface but the Paul Muni ones got some classic scenes too ! 💪🏼 keep up the great work mate ! A+

[@lv4977]

Great job my friend 🦁

[@TheRealDrJoey]

Very interesting post, TGV.

[@MrKeaneNg]

Great video!

[@manxology]

Great stuff!

[@shawnz241]

Solid content!

[@tobiasrottenbach1769]

Great video. Watches and movies, best combination. Cheers from Germany

[@_The_Worst_]

Status defined by symbolism...👌🏼 Appearances can be deceiving...💯✔️ Great video...👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I was educated on soooooo many levels by watching this...🤘🏼

[@michaelriera6277]

Great content

[@azdbuk]

Great piece, 🙏

[@MyVideosWillCalmU]

Great video luv Hugo🤣👊🏾💯

[@patrickjean-philippe7679]

Nice subject !

[@the3oclock]

This is so beautifully written, wow!

[@raylamont834]

Beautiful video

[@quicktutorialsfastreviews5964]

Great video, one of your best!

[@JG-fg1ye]

Outstanding TGV

[@daveyoder9231]

I always appreciate the Gentry content!

[@MrBlippy415]

Another absolutely amazing and very informative dive into horology. Just another reason why T.G.V is pure class. I am inspired to hunt more books on horology. Another great one T.G.V keep them coming!

[@pbtony0340]

Great video

[@simsalb]

As ever great content and fascinating how you give us a historical and movie viewers perspective to the hobby. Also fantastic to meet you earlier today at the Wind Up Watch Show in Manhattan. It was nice to discover we agree on the Farer Roche (which rather unusually I picked up before you reviewed it).

[@mmhnma]

Enjoyed this. The history is interesting.

[@curtmank]

The Piaget Is My all time favourite. I believe legendary comedian Don Rickles wore one. I love to think it was a gift from Sinatra. Another amazing video TGV.

[@Grannn]

Great video Tristano!

[@williamsmith9561]

A nice video, this one. A popular misconception is that success is directly proportional with wealth. You nailed it at the end when you infered happiness is the true measure of success.

[@ghengiskoan]

Bravo! Not always pleasant, but your ability and willingness to contextualize separates you from the large pack of youtube watch enthusiasts. Bravissimo!

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you so much my friend. Very kind of you to say. Best regards, TGV

[@77cjam]

Great interesting video as always. Once again very happy to see references for Wall Street and Blackadder. 👍 Does make me ponder what watch a 21st century Edmund Blackadder would wear 🤔. Thanks as always for providing another well researched, well produced and highly entertaining video sir. Hope you have a fabulous week to come

[@horstkaniny3614]

Video leaved me speechless, so much interesting parts and stuff to think about, like a rollercoaster through “time” - is that still KZbin or the beginning of real video art? Like it, just wow!

[@ErickdeHollander]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ PS. I love Hugo!

[@ExpeditedProductions]

Fantastic intro, TGV! Excellent to see Hugo popped in to say hello. The observation that you have made that many personalities (that have become either infamous or famous for trying to appear infamous) adopt looks that they THINK are worn by the posh and sophisticated have made those very looks and products completely cliché and not sophisticated. The average Rolex wearer today probably does not care or know the history or capability of the piece they are wearing. They wear it simply to APPEAR affluent. Making it all the more LESS desirable as the cycle continues until it is recognized as a tool, used by those that actually utilize them, make them desirable again and the process starts again. Absolutely wonderful historical analysis. Thank you for such a excellent video, yet again, my friend. Hope you enjoy the WindUpWatch fair! Say hello to Marc for me. Be well, my friend. Onward and upward.

[@jeremycorrao]

Excellent! I've been watching, reading and listening to Mafia history for the past 6 months. Fascinating. I had a relative who was a captain in the Gambino family. Great video. Cheers.

[@mirkosaligari]

Great content, great video, also your italian is not bad. 🙂

[@THX-C]

Brian De Palma is truly the most underrated American director of the latter 20th Century. Using cinema as an entry-point to discuss wristwatches as a status symbol is really clever. Have you read Paul Fussell’s book, “Class”? He covers the wristwatch but the section on the prole jacket gape is more frequently quoted.

[@brianmason744]

What a great Sunday watch.👀 Much love good sir

[@markikn3183]

Excellent Hugo intro, daaaarling.

[@digginstony1]

Brilliant video. Educational as well as describing the human condition.

[@darrenmcgovern7845]

Hugos great and this intro is my favorite with the 80s theme

[@johnmonachelli5256]

excellent episode

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you John! Best regards, TGV

[@peterboyce1422]

Happiness the only true luxury… your hard work and videos certainly contribute to the Gentry’s happiness. Thanks.

[@tobyreynolds3696]

I really loved this history lesson 😄

[@stephenbloughran]

Great video sir. More of the same please

[@HRM.H]

Great to hear someone finally mention Huygens , often overlooked in the history of horology.

[@theurbangentry]

🙌🙌🙌 He is a truly fascinating chap. Thank you my friend, Best regards, TGV

[@thebogiebogie]

Excellent video TGV. Onward and Upward. Forza Roma!!

[@carlexplores8709]

Great to see Hugo again!

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you, I will pass along your best wishes. Best regards, TGV

[@carlexplores8709]

@@theurbangentry thanks. I'm about halfway through the video now. Very interesting, well researched, insightful!

[@andreaferratoengineering]

Classy contents. Ciao e grazie

[@ante9194]

How far have we came, i still remember first video i saw from TGV, regarding finding the right watch for your wrist size, back in 2017 i belive to these kind of historic remainder videos. We press on, onwards and upwards TGV !

[@indianasunsets5738]

Another thoroughly enjoyable "history of horology" video! Love the Tony Montana "floating hands" Omega! By the way, your wife's datejust is beautiful!